Android Market license cracker

[nad]

Hi all,

One of my apps has been cracked lately, i have tried to release a new harder version but has been cracked as well

The Cracker software is

"...
LuckyPatcher.1.0.11.by.ChelpuS.apk

____ _ ____ _ _
/ ___| _| |__ ___ _ __| _ \ _____ _(_) |____
| | | | | | '_ \ / _ \ '__| | | |/ _ \ \ / / | |_ /
| |__| |_| | |_) | __/ | | |_| | __/\ V /| | |/ /
\____\__, |_.__/ \___|_| |____/ \___| \_/ |_|_/___|
|___/

File-sharing is a vibrant, open, global distribution system of all kinds,
and presents a tremendous opportunity to both creators and rights-holders

Support the Developers by buying/donate this apps from Android Market


1. Install app you want to crack, Don't run
2. Install LuckyPatcher
3. Run the LuckyPatcher you need Root your phone, long press the app you want to crack, choose Lucky Google Market Patch
4. Enjoy

..."

You just need root and superuser and crack most apps with google licensing library. Anyone with the same problem?

It seems with this cracker they can even remove AdMob

Has anyone experienced similar problems? Any suggestions or ideas what can we do on our side?

Thanks,

 

[NJDude]

Please pardon my cynicism but there's not much you can do, there's no "magic bullet" or "unbeatable" process to stop that, I mean, software that costs thousands of dollars made by mega-companies can be cracked/hacked/patch or keygened, do you thing that an Android app will be different?, I don't think so, I know, it sucks but that's the nature of the beast.

 

[nad]

I understand what you mean. I have seen many cracks and hacks myself but I think that is just a greyscale of security, not white or black, so it's just about how difficult you make it or how much time/skill they want to invest on it until they break it.

Just forgetting about cracks because they will always win and not doing anything will keep your app in the very white scale of security.

If my post is worth anything for anyone maybe someone wants to try any of their apps with that software to check if it can be cracked really easy or not, maybe that is quite darker in the scale and they would feel quite safer after publishing. That might be an interesting experiment for some people who knows.

About security features to make things harder?

Maybe Adding some kind of security validation in which the app sends the google mail of the user and you can even disable remotely if you cannot verify it has been sold in your google checkout (are both mails google android account and google checkout buyer the same?).

Or maybe doing a more strict verification when the mobile is rooted and that cracker apk is installed on mobile? Some software companies program apps that don't work unless they are permanently connected to internet with their servers. There are also drm protections from some other companies, maybe some kind of mixture between the uuid and the google account and the app sending that info to your server checking if it has been installed more than 10 times? What about directly not working for rooted mobiles and announcing that in the android market description with big letters, although i think i have seen a post from Erel saying that there is no direct method to check that out .

Sure you guys have one million ideas about what can be done to increase security although always knowing that any security is breakable.

Any thoughts about android market licensing security and piracy?

 

[moster67]

I am sorry to hear that your app has been cracked and I feel for you.

I know that it is very unlikely an app will be foolproof against being cracked/hacked but at least I thought, it would require a rather good cracker with some time to dedicate.

That is why I find it rather horrifying seeing automatic tools like the one you mentioned making the process so easy and available for all.

The counter-measures you mentioned require probably quite a lot of work (and probably also some investment) and therefore not available to all.

Well, I guess this is something we must learn to live with...

 

[mobisat]

I know this won't be what you want to hear but maybe it is a credit to you that they like your app so much that they want to crack it.

 

[vb1992]

to add to that....

studies show 2% to 15% of android phones are rooted
and those people rooting it, might just tell other people
with non-rooted android phones that your app is great
and then they buy it.

87% of android users use the phone on the toilet too. :sign0161:

Survey Says: 87% Android Owners Use Their Device on the Toilet

 

[nad]

I increased the security a lot more on my app. Also complained to google about a couple of web pages distributing it and haven't heard from them again. They are not cracking any other version and any other of my apps that i am aware of (or google does).

 

[Roger Garstang]

87% of android users use the phone on the toilet too. :sign0161:

I still prefer to use my Craptop since it is easier to use, but use the phone when the need arises...