Do you know there are programs used to protect php codes from other eyes? this useful if you have shared hosting space with others and dont want your work is being copied by them.

it changes php codes from:

$password = "my_secret_password";

into something like this:

MúºV†H¼ØwÌÝLoT¬Ÿõ�V‘Ð¥ïÚHŒÌ

encrypted into humanly-impossible-to-read. this is possible by using encoders like Zend Security Suite:
http://www.zend.com/store/products/zend-safeguard-suite.php

this tool can encrypt your php files thus preventing from others copying your work. it can also create licence and limitation such as trial programms. this is only needed if you are really serious about protecting your copyright.

but, it comes with high price and your server must have Zend Optimizer installed.

I agree that this can be useful, but if you're careful and don't make things too obvious (for example, $password= "secretpassword" or something to that extent), you shouldn't really have problems with shared webspace. Plus, if you're sharing something with them, you really shouldn't have to hide this from them in the first place. XP

But yeah, I suppose it could be useful. And you can reverse the process, right? That is, turn the undecipherable symbols back into English, right? One more thing- you should make sure this Zend company isn't actively trying to break into others' websites. Be careful what you download.

hehe... i just found out that astahost.com has already installed ZendOptimizer!



Yeah, i agree 150% with u about that.



nope. it is unreversable process. thus disabling hackers to do reverse engineering. before chiphering, make sure you keep the original.



? i dont understand? tell me more about it.

I think that there are some companies that allow people to download these free scripts and stuff that code their passwords etc. However they add in a small piece of code that does somthing like sends all the passwords that it encrypts back to someone at the company allowing them to take over your website and any important info it may have in it like possibly credit card numbers or something. God knows why anyone would put that in a webpage but anyway. They could do that or they could just use your site to rip other people off in your name.

hmm.. maybe...
but do you know who is zend.com?
they are the original creator of PHP language.
php.net and zend.com are both owned by them. php.net are open source oriented site, meanwhile zend.com are more to commercial oriented site, i think....

just to make sure you guys understand,
this apps not just encrypt the password, but all the content of php files into unreadable charactors. the main idea is nobody will be able to read your code or to copy them. the password encryption was only one of the sample.

I didn't know that. In that case I'm sure they're program is legit. I mean, it's not like they would need to steal other people's sites and passwords and stuff. If they wanted to they could make tonnes just off PHP. Anyway do you know if they have any other Open Source software/languages out? PHP is so good that I would try almost anything they bring out (unless of course it's something that I have absolutely no interest in).

what r u saying? i dont understand.

Other language? i dont think so. PHP itself is not easy to built and maintain.

I didn't think that ther would be another language I just put that in incase. However I was just wondering if the company has brought out any other interesting and Open Source software which may be of use to me.

I don't think i'll be using Zend Safegard Suite anyway because I'm not stupid enough to put anything that important on my web pages.

well you might think it that way, while others might not. in some manner, for an example, if you are selling php program, you might want the client to have a test drive and try it at their system, but might not want them to be able to see the true source code or make another copy or edit your php program.

what do you think?

You've got a good point. I hadn't thought of people who were selling PHP programs. I doubt I will ever be imaginative enough to come up with a decent enough program to sell but I'm sure others would find it very useful.