Ethical software cracking

hello all, just like to say your the most helpful community on the web i come here with all my problems (that cant be solved with google)

Anyway long story short my girlfriend just spent $180nz on 2 cd educational programs they have to buy for her course, now im not totally into ripping off non corporate companies but i reckon she has paid enough for 5 people and i would take great pleasure in giving the cd to her friends.

Both cd's have a unique key thats checked via the internet (apparently) and can only be used twice then you phone the company to get it reset if you want to do any more installs.

ok so im no expert (hence me asking) and have never done this before, but im a quick learner and if anyone can tell me where to start or even say i should back down because its very complicated and i should just leave it would be a great help.

 

Not a good idea.. very much to learn. What you are asking for isn't ethical it is illegal reverse engineering of a registered key. You can go to jail for that if you are caught. It sounds stupid but after they have had your computer, your house and your employment if they still aren't satisfied they will have you locked up..

Because of the rules on this site about even mentioning a keygen or cracking methods I can't tell you where you could start learning, and anyway.. If I did I would be breaking a trust between myself and a few reverse engineers and crackers I know.

Google, google and more google.. and with a little persistence you will start to pick up the trail.. It is well hidden. Even so.. as the copyright owners know exactly who they have sold the software to as soon as any cracked version appears they will just change the algorythm and you are back to square one, if not busted too It is easy for them to verify their software online, but very hard to somebody else to activate it without the full details...

When you see software posted online with serials that just shows that serials have been leaked... when you see something with a keygen then you know some skilled crackers have totally pwned the security method used.

That should be within the rules.. but I'm saying no more because this is very close to that fine line between explaining a little about software security which may give you some ideas of where to look and what kinds of information you are looking for, and getting myself booted for illegal cracking and reverse engineering talk.

I see no harm in hacking at some code for educational purposes.. for personal interest etc, maybe learning something about secure coding methods.. BUT.. the minute you try do do this with the intent of giving the information and cracked software to others so they can avoid paying for it then you are getting on very dangerous ground. This software seems to be part of an online course.. so they will know how many copies there are.... and I will bet your original copy has some unique identifier which will trace back to you. Take heed.. the cracking groups are very secretive for very good reason.......