Software copy-protection / computer unique ID generator

I am / will be developing a number of custom applications for a nitch industry. These applications are written in an application scripting language (not a microsoft product) that cannot provide hardware level information. I would like to implement a basic software registration system to discourage casual piracy of our application. The scripting language I am working with allows me to perform DDE calls to other applications. My initial thought is to perform the following steps: 1. generate a unique machine ID (to be performed by a standalone executable that you will create and called via DDE from my application) 2. have the client send the unique ID to me 3. hash (MD5) the unique ID plus a secret password and then send the hash back to the client to enter into a registration box 4. My 'program' will then check the registration key against the hash of the processor ID and the secret password (written into the program) before allowing the use to continue. The simple way to implement this would be an executable that accepts DDE calls and returns an ID that is unique to the machine it is run on. This would obviously be susceptable to a simple hack of replacing the executable with one that just returns the same ID every time, so some sort of challenge/response system will have to be implemented so that my script can verify that it is talking to the right program. This is the basic idea, though I expect that an experienced programmer will be able to flush out some of the weaknesses and provide a fairly secure setup. Remember, I'm not worried about someone decompiling the code, just someone who might do some simple hacking. Please factor a few clarification / suggestion discussions via e-mail into the bid. ## Deliverables 1) Complete and fully-functional working program(s) in executable form as well as complete source code of all work done. 2) Deliverables must be in ready-to-run condition, as follows (depending on the nature of the deliverables): This is software the buyer intends to distribute: A software installation package that will install the software in ready-to-run condition on the platform(s) specified in this bid request. 3) All deliverables will be considered "work made for hire" under U.S. Copyright law. Buyer will receive exclusive and complete copyrights to all work purchased. (No GPL, GNU, 3rd party components, etc. unless all copyright ramifications are explained AND AGREED TO by the buyer on the site per the coder's Seller Legal Agreement). ## Platform Windows NT, 2000, XP