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FPSC Classic Product Chat / Free, easy, and better alternatives to FPSPack by That C++ Nerd

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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 2nd Feb 2007 21:45 Edited at: 4th Feb 2007 00:17
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I know that FPSPack is a good software, and that there are not many solutions to protecting your files from hackers, and people who want to steal your content that you worked hard to create! So I did some research and a lot of experimenting, and wrote this post. I feel like helping people out right now.

NOTE: THE TECHNIQUES USED HERE WILL NOT ACTUALLY COMPILE CONTENTS, BUT WILL PROTECT THEM FROM HACKERS.



1. Covering your folders (RECOMMENDED FOR BASIC USERS!)

Here is a very basic approach to protecting your files. When you build a game in FPSC, your given a folder, an executable file, and another folder with all the content (texturebank, entitybank). The first thing to do is right-click on the contents folder. Click "Properties". Under "Attributes" you should see a box with the action "Hidden". Check this box and hit "Apply".

The folder is now hidden to the basic user.

Of course you might have some experienced users playing your games. This is where another technique might become useful.



2. Encryption (HARD!)

Encrypting files is the technique used by most. I can only tell you how to encrypt files, I believe unauthorized decryption is illegal in the US. Encryption is a more advanced approach to protecting your files, but worth it. First you must click on the contents folder I mentioned before. Depending on your OS and Hard Disc type (NTFS), you might not have encryption support. Right click on the contents folder and click "Properties". Under "Attributes" click on the "Advanced..." button. Under "Compress or Encrypt attributes" click on "Encrypt contents to secure data". Click "OK". You should be prompted with "Confirm Attribute Changes". Choose your conditions, and click on "Apply changes to this folder". Your done. The encrypted folder will open through only the executable file (.exe) that was set in the conditions for the encrypted folder. If the user tries to access the folder without using the executable file (.exe) they will instantly get an error message.



3. Encryption with Software EASY!

Go to:

http://www.newsoftwares.net/folderlock/

and download folder lock. Install it when you are ready to build your game. When your done building the game, use Folder Lock to protect your contents folder, and by setting access to the main executable of YOUR GAME through various conditions. Other good software includes

cypherix (http://www.cypherix.com)
file-locker (highly recommended)(http://www.file-locker.com/)



4. Confuse the user (Also recommended!)

Download this completely free installer, with no nag screens or watermarks at http://www.createinstall.com/ and have the required files installed in an uncommon location like the WINDOWS folder or a folder inside a folder in the program files directory. Just make sure it's uncommon. Then make a shorcut on the Start>All Programs list. And make a shortcut to a shortcut. The user will be very confused of the location of the scattered files.


There it is, 20 minutes of typing and 4 good solutions. I hope this helps everyone!

UPDATE - I enclosed a zip file with screenshots, some users were questioning these techniques.

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filya
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Posted: 2nd Feb 2007 22:27
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Thanks for these C++!!
I sure do hope someone tries these and lets us know if they work well. These are simple but great solutions to keeping about 95% of the users away from our files

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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bdgbdg
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Posted: 2nd Feb 2007 22:32
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Very nice, I will probably use this when I finish my game...
Who votes for a Stiky?

PS: Nicky, will you add this to the guide?

Project FPS - 71%
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 2nd Feb 2007 23:37
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Thanks! I really just want to help people out. I tried all the techniques myself.

1, 3, and 4 work the best!

I think I will send this to Nickydude.

Thanks again.

Best,
That C++ Nerd
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 00:24
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Should I post some screenshots of how to do all this?
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Silent Thunder
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 00:38
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I don't think option 2 works on NTFS, I think it only works on FAT.

Did anyone else using NTFS get this to work?

Then again, it could also be the version of windows...


Be sure to check the forum for special offers, and free stuff!
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 00:45
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Yea, your OS and HD type have to match, you could reformat. LOL.

NOTE: THAT WAS A JOKE! DO NOTE REFORMAT YOUR HD OR IT WILL DELETE 95% OF THE FILES ON YOUR COMPUTER!!!
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 01:32
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92 visits and 7 (now 8) posts! Leave feedback people!
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Locrian
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 02:43
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Well the encryption software is the only real viable choice you mention, and its not free. Though both sound like a much better solutions then Pack, neither are designed to work with the software and would not support saving and loading making both useless.

The file locker software though cheap at 7.99 only dose files and small folders (unless you buy the higher priced software). Its not made to be used with something like this. We've been trying to use the demo versions of both(s4 and myself) and neither works with fpsc 1.0.4.

The other methods are weak at best.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 04:27 Edited at: 3rd Feb 2007 04:38
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Exactly. They're made for the BASIC user. What, you can't read? j/k


And approach 2, works the best. You can access the files through the executable (.exe) and it blocks you from opening the file without the executable. So maybe the best software, is your OS (Windows). The other software worked for me though. And did you notice something?

Quote: "Install it when you are ready to build your game."


Don't blame me if you only get 30 days. Install it when your ready to build your game. Then uninstall it, and wait until your next game. (You might have to reset the logged key file inserted to prevent extended trial use.)

At least it helped somewhat.
-That C++ Nerd
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Locrian
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 05:24
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Still don't save a game. So its no better then the free version of FPS Pack. So still kinda useless.

And to me, the basic user that plays video games and would want models or media is well aware of modding games, and how to get media. So yeah I can read, I just happen to disagree with you.

Your not trying to protect media from a guy just using the game the way it's intended...Your hiding stuff from the guy that wants to use your latest character or gun....He already knows these simplistic tricks.

And I don't think it helped much at all. If anything it gave people false hope with no real substance to these claims.

Loc
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Candle_
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 05:43
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Waste of time.


MY FPSC FILES
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 15:09
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I don't see the problem. EVERYTHING WORKED FINE FOR ME. Saving, loading. playing. Everything worked! If you guys want, I could help you find the problem with the way your doing things. Approach 2 worked the best. I'm not sure what your doing, but I could help you find the problem.

Let me know.
-That C++ Nerd
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Uthink
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 16:52
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I will try as soon as I get a chance.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 21:33
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Uthink, tell me what your results are. Everything in my tutorial worked for me.
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Locrian
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 22:40
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C,
Just post a game here man...Thats the easiest thing to do. If you've got it to save and such, wile folders are encrypted, a game should be easy to post and look at.

Peace
Loc
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 3rd Feb 2007 23:35
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Ok, I'll try to upload it now.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 00:03 Edited at: 4th Feb 2007 00:11
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The folder was too big, a couple hundred MB. 50 MB was the limit.

Here's some screenshots that are clear proof that my techniques work. Feel free to show them to s4 (I think you mentioned him earlier).

Hope this helps.
-That C++ Nerd

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Candle_
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 00:57
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What you fail to see is this is all done on your computer and will work on your computer but when you move it to someother computer it will not work.
All these programs you talk about are for a single computer and users.
Not made to do what you want it to do.


MY FPSC FILES
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Locrian
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 01:00
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@Candle_
Thats why I wanted him to post a game, rather then arguing anymore.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 01:08 Edited at: 4th Feb 2007 01:15
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If you have the same kind of hard drive (NTFS) which most computer HD's are NTFS, it will work.


I'M TALKING ABOUT APPROACH 2 CANDLE!


Of course approach 3 won't work

APPROACH 2 IS THE ONE THAT WORKS ON MOST PCs in the USA.

You are right about approach 3 though.

APPROACH 2 WORKS-bottom line

Read post below
||
vv
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 01:14
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I'm tired of arguing, I'll burn the game on a CD and try it on one of my friends computers. I'll grab a taxi over there in couple mins.

Thanks for the feedback anyway.
-That C++ Nerd
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Locrian
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 01:18 Edited at: 4th Feb 2007 01:21
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Post a game on file font man...its really easy...We all get a game is to big for here.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 01:35
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Okay, I'm at my friends place, and I'm setting up an account with file front.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 02:05
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Everything is working fine on his computer.

I finally got it up on filefront. 342 MB. (Better have highspeed)

link: http://files.filefront.com/poster_testzip/;6678165;;/fileinfo.html
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Candle_
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 04:07
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342 MB ? you couldn't make a small game ?


MY FPSC FILES
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Locrian
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 05:06
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No file at that address. Well not for s4 or myself..

Can anyone else d/l the file?
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rolfy
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 05:23 Edited at: 4th Feb 2007 05:25
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Quote: "Can anyone else d/l the file?"


Nope! make a small level,it's enough for testing.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 05:26
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@Candle

lol. didn't have time.

@Locrian

The file is not working for me either. I think there might be a problem with my DSL. I'll try uploading it again in the morning.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 17:48
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My DSL was down earlier.

I think I know why the file isn't working for you. In order to view encrypted executables, you need the version of Windows I have. I have Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 or either that it's my internet connection.

I can't see the zip file either!
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Airslide
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 19:03
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I have both a NTFS & a FAT Hardrive (I beleive), it doesn't let me encrypt stuff on either one, and if you need the same type of windows, you limit your audience ALOT....

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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 20:01
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@Airslide

I know, I know, I know.

I'm trying to reconfigure the encryption now so it will wokr on any system.

I think you need Windows XP 2005 Media Center Edition, my older computer won't encrypt either.
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Nickydude
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 21:21
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I shall wait until these 'hiccups' are sorted out before including it in my guide


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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 22:21
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I'm working on it now Nickydude.

I'm trying to find a way for the encryption to work for everyone.
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the_winch
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 22:48 Edited at: 4th Feb 2007 22:53
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Using ntfs encryption does not do what you think it does.
You can read about it here.

It's designed to prevent people without your user account password reading your data if they have physical access to your hard disk.

The operating system handles it all behind the scenes, decrypting the data as required if the right user tries to access it.

You burn your fpsc game to a cd with a cd burning application.
The cd burning application asks windows for the data in the encrypted files.
Windows then uses your user account key to decrypt the data and passes it to the cd burning application.
The cd burning application then burns the unencrypted data to disk.

If it worked as you think it would be useless. I could just stick your hard drive in my computer and windows would decrypt your files for me. Exactly what the system is designed to prevent.

It's easy to prove this. Just encrypt some folder that contains a file such as an image. Zip the folder and upload the .zip file here. We will all be able to unzip the .zip and view the image.

By way of demonstration, he emitted a batlike squeak that was indeed bothersome.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 23:00 Edited at: 4th Feb 2007 23:01
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@the winch

Yes, I know that.


The encryption process on Windows 2005 Media Center Edition varies from technique to technique. YOU CAN EVEN VERIFY THIS BY REFERRING TO YOUR WINDOWS HELP GUIDE (usually installed with Windows XP).

IT CAN STILL BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE EXECUTABLE FILE YOU SELECT THROUGH CONDITIONS UNDER THE "DETAILS..." BUTTON UPON ENCRYPTION.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 4th Feb 2007 23:03
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Check it out at the microsoft website.
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That C++ Nerd
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Posted: 5th Feb 2007 17:21 Edited at: 5th Feb 2007 17:22
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I e-mailed the Microsoft support center. They responded with:



Quote: "EFS and MPPE encryption methods vary between PCs depending on manufacturer. If the PC is running any Microsoft OS with encryption support of NTFS format or service bus FAT, the contents will have access through the file the person of encryption has selected. This could be a direct shortcut or an individual binary file of NTFS format."





DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS!?!?
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