SafeDisc2 Type_Copy Protection

[ZamZiBam]

Common sense should be taken when examining a copy protection scheme such as this. The author writes that there is a segment on the CD-Rom that is useless data designed for difficulty of copying. Let me examine this from a different point of view. Copy protection in general is broken usually before the protected system is even released. For this reason it should be sensible to note that there is more to protecting a disc in this way than to cause a simple nuisance of backup. We should also note that most modern 3D games are going online. Let's examine this concept. Why would we want a large test pattern in a CD if we know everyone will be able to back it up not much after it's released. Well, digital signatures. We know how CD-RW works. Well, CD-RW has material that have properties that can change. For this simple reason, if this type of a pattern were added to a CD-Rom on a track, than when the player plays the game online, a signature can be noted into that pattern. Since most online games require that you have at least the CD-Rom inserted to play. After all, if it is protected, why should you use the CD-Rom when most games allow full installation. Now the question is, would the manufacturer just ad a CD-RW style track. I don't think so. Let me explain why. Believe it or not, if the material is sensitive enough, than you don't even need a CD-R or CD-RW drive to write to it. Simply reading the data, can access certain properties of certain materials. In this way, all anyone has to do, is make sure there is a random pattern in the regular CD-R. Even if it is finalized, the material will still be reactive to lasers. So when the cd-is read, it can create a signature based on what cd rom unit accessed it. The legality is of course questionable. The reason for that is that a user has to have full knoweldge of all dataspace on their computer. Otherwise proper security administration can not be done. In other words if this is done, the manufacturere has to tell everyone about the feature. So at this time, if anyone finds any software like this, a serious lawsuit can be made if data on that system was compromised. Now. Let me explain how something like SafeDisc2 could be used. You have a random pattern. When online, you register and the registration software allows the software itself to read the error prone area. As it is read, let's say you have the random bit pattern
0001010101010001110.
As soon as the first bit is read, it forces the next bit to change properties thus rendering it to 1 instead of 0. Now if you copy the game, the same bit pattern is too difficult to write, so another bit patter will be generated on the copy. They know that. So if someone figures out how to duplicate the physical properties and manufactures cd-s like that, than what will happen is the registration number will test against the serial number and bit pattern. And the same serial number should not come up with another bit pattern unless that is so. Guess what. The legality as I said is extreme. The reason is, tht someone can buy a game. Say it was defective and return it to the store. Once this is done, the protection is defeated legally. In other words it works, but guess what. Even if you can't get your money back, you compromised the security of the computer or another user by returning the game and it is legal to return defective games. So if someone else gets the software and you have a registered pattern. Than the data buffer can be used because the game maker is protected by the reverse engineering law.