Is it ok to buy an encrypted version of a script?

Get Started
1

I am looking to buy a script from agriya and they will only sell encrypted version of it to me.

The question is, will this be a hassle for any developer(s) that tries to modify/decrypt the script being encrypted.

Any ideas, opinions are welcomed.

Thanks.

2

Yes, it will be a hassle to modify the script. In fact, modifying the script may not even be possible.

Just my opinion, but I consider encrypted sources to be a big red flag that the code is likely to be poor quality.

3

Guessed as much too. Thanks for helping out with this tip.

Mucho Gracias!

4

What are they using to encrypt the scripts with?

5

I really don’t know but just finds it weird that it’s been encrypted.

Here’s what they replied with;

package is not open source(will be encrypted)…however, you are free to do design changes as you want however if you want the script decrypted you may have to choose a different and more expensive package.

6

If they don’t have a requirement for ionCube or Zend on the server they are probably using a poor-man’s version of encryption…which is easily break able. How shocking for a company that says they have an “army of 200 developers” pfft yeah right.

7

Got me wondering too. :slight_smile:

Thanks for helping out.

8

I asked an alternative to Agriya (fundraisingscript.com) right after you asked me same question about their encryption model and they sent me server requirements as thus;

Server requirement:
Linux Operating System (Cent OS Recommended)
PHP 5.0 (or Higher)
mySQL 5 (or Higher)
GD Library (Available free at http://www.libgd.org)
IonCube Loader (Available free at http://www.ioncube.com/loaders.php)
cURL
Mod Url_rewrite enabled
Ability to run at least 2 cron jobs every day
Open SSL compiled with PHP (fsockopen must be enabled)

P.S. Whole fundraising script is built using valid php, xhtml, jquery-ajax coding and php framework called “CodeIgniter”, and its MVC structure.

What do you think?

9

Encryption is usually done to protect the source code–not “hide bad code”.

I sell licenses for a PHP webapp I developed, and I encrypt the source code. That prevents folks from re-distributing/re-selling/re-using my code for the application being sold.

Without knowing the name of the webapp you’re trying to purchase, I’m guessing it’s a similar situation. If you want any modifications, you’ll have to make the requests through the company producing the webapp.