After rebirth, I became a great master

Chapter 267 Crack
These days, almost all software is genuine.

In the database field, the cheapest one should be DBASEIII+, which costs 2000 yuan per set.

Actually, there are also domestically developed databases, such as Neusoft, a software company supported by the Japanese company Alpine. However, they are more expensive, costing 2200 yuan per set. And their performance is extremely poor.

Even so, Neusoft's annual revenue can still reach 5000 million.

It also went public this year, becoming the first listed software company in China.

This shows just how profitable software can be without the interference of piracy.

Because there is little interference from piracy.

Therefore, there are no anti-piracy measures for genuine software nowadays.

Isn't that easy to crack?
Zhou Haoran set his sights on the American FoxPro database, which is currently a mainstream database for standalone systems, known for its good performance, few bugs, and high stability.

Even in standalone applications, it's better than Oracle's database.

Oracle database is very powerful.

However, it also requires high computing power.

Private enterprises generally don't use such systems, and they don't configure servers; they just use ordinary personal computers to run them. We shouldn't let a small horse pull a big cart.

I went to the school and saw Qiao Hai.

"I think I've cracked it!"

Qiao Hai was waiting for him at the college gate. As soon as he saw his car, he rushed over.

Zhou Haoran got out of the car, smiling, and said, "It's not difficult, is it?"

Qiao Hai said, "It feels pretty simple, like playing a game."

"Then why did you make me do it?" Zhou Haoran said helplessly. "If you can crack it, then just crack it. I'm already so busy."

Qiao Hai said, "I'll call everyone over in a bit."

"Who?"

“Our development team, besides us master’s students, also includes several undergraduates, all of whom are seniors, and many of them don’t know you.”

"You can lead them." Zhou Haoran had already made a plan. "After we graduate next year, we'll start a software company, and they'll all be your soldiers."

Qiao Hai said in a low voice, "Let's go over there first and figure out how to crack it. After we find a way to crack it, I'll call them all over, and you'll crack the FoxPro database in front of everyone. That way, even those who don't know you will know you."

"what?"

Zhou Haoran gave him a deep look.

So that’s the reason!
You really underestimated him!
I went to the lab.

First, let's look at some materials compiled by Qiao Hai, which show the process of software changing from a "trial version" to a "paid version".

Then, you can work backwards.

It mainly consists of two parts.

First, changes to key values.

Some software programs have a trial limit, for example, 20 trials. If you use it once, it becomes 19 trials. In the registry, the TrialCount value will change from 20 to 19.

That's simple. Just change the number of uses "20" to the number of uses "2000000", and it means you can keep using it indefinitely.

It's like using Game Master to modify game data when playing a game.

In addition, there are activation options.

For example, the value for an inactive state is "0", and the value for an active state is "1".

Simply find the "Activated" column in the registry and change the field from "0" to "1" to activate the software!

However, the registry contains too much information.

Some software companies also provide a lot of other information to distinguish between "not activated" and "activated".

This requires a second step of reverse reasoning.

Import genuine information.

The lab has a genuine FoxPro database, which the school purchased.

Simply use a floppy disk to copy the registry information from the genuine FoxPro database, import it into the trial version of the FoxPro database, and overwrite the original unauthorized data with the genuine information.

Then, manually create a registry file.

Add the target path and key-value pair.

For example, "ActivationCode" = "1212121212"

This refers to the registration code for genuine software.

The registration code is "1212121212", which Zhou Haoran wrote randomly.

The reason it can be recognized as valid is because the registry information had been modified beforehand, and the activation status had changed from "0" to "1", so the registration code was recognized by the software.

For example, “ExpireDate” = “2099-01-01”.

That means it's valid until January 1, 2099.

Zhou Haoran sat in front of the computer and operated it, while Qiao Hai assisted him from the side.

It only took about ten minutes.

After the operation is completed.

Reopen the unpaid FoxPro database...

The status has been changed to "activated".

I did a few quick tests, and it's very smooth, no problems!
"That solves it..."

Qiao Hai stared at him, dumbfounded by his skillful operation; he really did have the air of an expert!

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "Yes, it's cracked. This method is still a bit troublesome. The main thing is the 'registration code'. There should be a hidden library of registration codes in this software. Only by entering a registration code from the library can the software be activated. Our method is to bypass the library."

Qiao Hai asked, "What's the simplest way?"

Zhou Haoran said, "Brute force cracking. Make a small program that can automatically generate registration codes, and try them one by one. Once you get the right one, you'll crack it."

Many of the methods used to crack this scheme in later generations followed this strategy.

Brute-force attacks are more common than technical attacks.

It's like cracking a password.

Try them one by one from the beginning.

We'll be able to figure it out sooner or later.

Qiao Hai said excitedly, "If we sell pirated software, we can make a lot of money, right?"

Zhou Haoran was speechless. "Is this all you've got?"

Qiao Hai said seriously, "No matter how much money pirated copies make, they can't make as much as the original copies!"

"The cracking technology must not be shared." Zhou Haoran was very cautious about this. "Don't tell anyone else, lest someone get malicious ideas and do something shady."

Next, we found people to come. A small team of 10 people in total.

Four master's degree holders: Qiao Hai, Yang Yuanju, Yan Siyuan, and Gong Wu.

Six senior undergraduate students: Huang Tianyou, Wang Junjie, Liu Hao, Lu Zhan, Shen An, and Zhang Yuxuan.

They're all graduating next year; it's clearly a deliberate arrangement by Qiao Hai.

In the laboratory, they surrounded Zhou Haoran.

Because the method to break it is too simple.

Cannot be demonstrated.

They all learned it by demonstrating it.

It can only display the results after the hack.

This is enough to make everyone admire and be excited.

Next, Qiao Hai found a lecture hall and asked Zhou Haoran to explain the architecture of the warehouse management system and clarify the development ideas.

Zhou Haoran knew this was an opportunity to establish his leadership authority.

So I didn't refuse.

The equipment in the lecture hall is relatively outdated.

There is a projector.

But it's not digital.

We need to print out the architecture document page by page. Then, for each page we present, we'll put it on the white panel behind us and project it onto the screen.

Qiao Hai was assisting from the side.

After just one lecture, Zhou Haoran's impressive image was established.

The method for recruiting professionals is simple.

All you need to do is be more professional than them.

"Teacher Zhou, wait a minute!"

As Zhou Haoran was about to leave, the undergraduate student named Huang Tianyou ran over and followed him.

"Tianyou?" Zhou Haoran remembered his name and smiled slightly. "What is it?"

Huang Tianyou asked bluntly, "Teacher Zhou, if I work on a project with you, will there be any money?"

"Ok?"

Zhou Haoran raised his eyebrows.

"If you don't pay, then forget it."

Huang Tianyou remained calm.

Technical talents tend to be a bit arrogant, and their emotional intelligence is negligible.

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "I'm rich."

"Really?" Huang Tianyou looked at him suspiciously. "Senior Ning also contacted me, saying he hoped I would join his project and work with him to develop a library management system. It's a project to develop for the school, and if it's successful, there will be at least two hundred yuan in compensation."

Zhou Haoran asked, "Ning Yuanjia?"

"Well, he said you guys want to use college students' labor for free and develop systems for companies for free. Professor Zhou, just tell me the truth. If you don't have the money, then forget it. I'll find an internship next semester and earn a thousand or eight hundred."

Huang Tianyou's accent was clearly from the North, and he had a straightforward personality, saying whatever came to mind without beating around the bush.

Zhou Haoran smiled and said, "That Dr. Ning might have misunderstood something; the rumor is false. This project does offer a salary; didn't Qiao Hai tell you?"

“He said so.” Huang Tianyou stared straight at him. “But Senior Ning also invited me. I came here to listen to what he said. Senior Ning said your skills aren’t very good, and it would be a waste of time for you to come here and work for me. I think it’s alright, but I haven’t decided where to go yet.”

Zhou Haoran understood immediately upon hearing this.

It seems Huang Tianyou is very skilled, making him a target of competition between two groups.

"How much do you want?"

Zhou Haoran didn't hold back at this point; he couldn't let such outstanding talent slip by, he had to snatch him away!

“You spoke very well just now, I can tell you’re very skilled… probably no worse than Senior Ning.” Huang Tianyou hesitated for a moment, “Give me two hundred yuan and I’ll work for you guys. Otherwise, I’ll go work for Senior Ning.”

“I’ll give you five hundred!” Zhou Haoran naturally couldn’t be stingy. “Tell everyone else that whether they are master’s students, doctoral students, or undergraduates, everyone is treated equally. As long as you participate in this project, you can get five hundred yuan.”

"Really?"

Huang Tianyou's eyes lit up, and he became happy.

Zhou Haoran then asked, "Are you going to do an internship next semester?"

Huang Tianyou hummed in agreement. "It's all settled, I'm going to Microsoft."

"Working for foreigners?" Zhou Haoran frowned, then waved his hand. "I have other projects next semester. The money you earn here will definitely be more than you would have earned interning at Microsoft!"

"It's not about the money."

"Ok?"

“Going to Microsoft will allow me to learn better technologies,” Huang Tianyou said, not knowing how to phrase things tactfully. “I’ll learn more at Microsoft than I would here, right? Your skills are decent enough; you can’t compare to Microsoft, can you?”

"That's different."

Zhou Haoran smiled.

I've already made up my mind; I must hurry up and write and publish my thesis.

Without proof of his identity and matching industry status, even undergraduates don't believe him!

Zhou Haoran said, "It's alright. You and Qiao Hai work together to develop this warehouse management system... It can't be a simple task; it has to be perfect. Once it's finished, burn it onto a CD. We can talk about next semester's matters next semester!"

When will you get paid?

Huang Tianyou pressed for an answer.

Zhou Haoran laughed and said, "I'll give it to you before the end of the year!"

Qiao Hai was summoned.

Tell him to go to his sister and take 3 yuan from her secret stash.

It is divided into three parts.

First, pay salaries.

Second, have regular meals together and give small gifts to build team camaraderie.

Third, equip it with a computer.

It's not good to keep using the lab's resources.

In the future, providing services to enterprises must be a one-stop service. It's not enough to just provide them with a management system; we also need to help them equip their computers, deploy the system, and provide hands-on training for a period of time.

(End of this chapter)