VB.net simple license key to protect application

Question

I working on a simple vb application. But I want to protect it to give the user the option to use it only for a specific time. So I was thinking to make a text file with a key-code (Beside Random characters, it contains an expire date). When the application is started after this expire date, the application should close automatically. The location where this textile is location can be the same location where the executable is running from. Does somebody of you have a good idea how to implement it? Or is there a easier way how to implement this

Answer 1

If you want to give a "Trial period" to your application you might want rather hard-code that to prevent tampering. Then, when purchased make a modification to registry and different files (maybe downloads a few files that "register" the application so that it recognizes itself as "full". To go one step further maybe periodically have the application reach out to your server and verify the license.

This is a huge subject that a lot of smarter people than me can weigh in on. I will note that this is part of a constant battle between developers and hackers trying to get around licensure.

Answer 2

To make software unlocked for some period of time, you can create text file on websites like Pastebin and add them an expiry date. Then make your software check if file is still valid.

Note that users can "track down" requests your software sends, never store your private information linked with your software.

You can also use HWID protection which ensures your software will work only if it matches hardware information stored in encrypted string.

You can hash other user's information like username, wifi name and so on, but remember that changing any of this information (OS, hardware or system information) will create new unique HWID, which may not match the previous one - resulting in failed HWID authorization.

To make bypassing protection harder, you can obfuscate your software.