How to track if sold Excel app is not shared to other users - licenses and tracking links

Hi Guys,

it is possible to track if sold Excel is not shared - i mean not stolen by user and shared with his friends?
It is possible somehow?

Like add password, user, protect Excel in VBA and read this user and pass ?

Can anybody help?

Jacek

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One method is to obtain the HardDrive serial number from the purchaser, then include that in your VBA code ...

Your program would first verify the HD serial number matches.

hi Logit,

o wow seems interesting! How you can do this?

I was thinking to add serial number in wordpress, add page and create table - email and IP number of computer, VBA would connect to website and check if device exists.
But i am not sure

Best,
Jacek

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That method would be more secure as the verification process is located on your website rather than in the VBA code.

As you are probably aware, Excel has no security what so ever. Anyone with a modicum of VBA knowledge can access
the existing code.

Logit,

thanks but can you still explain your method?

I have to consider at least few options?

Best,
Jacek

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Here is one example to obtain a serial number :

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There are plenty more examples on the Internet ... obtaining Processor Number, Hard Drive Number, Motherboard Number, etc. etc.
You could use one or more of those to identify the user. Include in your code a process of 'writing' that information to a small text
file ... placing the file in an obscure location on their computer. Then have your workbook code first verify the information before
loading your workbook.

Having said that ... consider the User reaction having to provide that data prior to you sending the workbook. I'm not certain a
potential purchaser would be very happy.

Rory,

it is true, what can you suggest?

Logit,

thank you very much! Yes, it is true that user would be not happy
Maybe process could be:

1. User getting via email password and serial number.
2. User has to input these data into userform before Excel will work - i do not know if it is possible with userform and Excel - maybe only with Windows API?
3. serial number and user can use workbook beause VBA will connect to website to check if user and serial number attached exists.

Ok but still i will have problem to identify if user is logging from different devices. Maybe this Logit code could handle but i see there is a loop so how to get only one unique number for specific disk drive?


Hmm do you have maybe any idea?
Best,
Jacek

Originally Posted by jaryszek

Maybe this Logit code could handle but i see there is a loop so how to get only one unique number for specific disk drive?

You can use "Win32_DiskDrive" and get the serial number and/or model of the first HDD

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Haluk has a handle on what you are attempting to do.

Excel will allow you to obtain the User's Hard Drive serial number. Then with a macro, that information can be sent to your server
and stored in the data file with the User's other information.

Your macro can check if their HD number matches the number on file and go from there.

Giving the user a serial number that you provide and checking against that will most likely take care of 65% - 70% (wild guess) of your customers
because they'll respect the process. It's the others you'll have to worry about.

Thank you Logit,

What do you mean by others? What they can do?

Rory --> you mean to unprotect VBA code? i think it is easy to do...

Jacek

The 30% - 35% of the remaining users.

You mean they will take pass from VBA project ?

Jacek

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Those would be the people that might attempt to hack your workbook for you code. Or they might give away your project to others.

Having said all of that ... I agree that attempting to implement your efforts will not provide you with the peace of mind you are seeking if you
create your project in Excel. Excel has absolutely no security for those intending to steal your intellectual property. You would be better off
using another programming package (VB.NET, Visual Basic [not VBA], C++) and the like.

Thank you Logit!

VB is more scure than VBA? How ? Do yo u have maybe any links/examples? I would love to learn more about it.

Best,
Jacek

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Excel VBA is not currently able to be compiled into an executable program. Anything you write in VBA depends on another program that is executable to run.
In this case MS Excel and MS Excel require MS Windows to run - an executable.

VB, C++, etc can be compiled into a stand alone executable ... once compiled it requires a lot more effort to hack the source code.

The choice of programming language is yours. Review what the different languages offer and make your decision. Tons of information
on the internet for each language.

Thank you Logit!

Or i will just buy padlock

Jacek

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Ha !