Hexalock DVD media copy protection software

There has been much discussions held on CD and DVD protection till now, but the piracy industry seems to be flocking with geniuses whose destructive creativity seems to know no bound! This created somewhat of a challenge to a handful and a newer DVD protection measure was the result. Over the following paragraphs, we shall discuss the HexDVDR and how Hexalock, the developer of the protection measure made it through.

What is Hex DVD?

Hex DVD is the colloquial term for HexDVDR-Video developed by Hexalock, who now stand supreme in the realms of digital copy-protection solutions. The HexDVDR-Video bars DVD videodisc to be copied, both by copying the entire disc image and through file based copying. Additionally, attempt to rip the video titles results in a distorted video.

To stop DVD duplication, HexDVD-DATA applies a mass-manufactured signature that’s unique for every software/data/video DVD. This signature cannot be physically extracted and re-used by the burners and software for creating a copy. Those thinking about applying reverse engineering; HexDVD-DATA also makes algorithm theft an impossible deal by encrypting the programs and disabling securely the debugging mode.

Contrary to many of the currently available CD or DVD protection software, HexaLock CD-ROM Copy Protection, if fully implemented, occupies less than 1024 Kb of space; on CD-RX discs, the occupied space becomes 30Mb because of the industry-standard lead in and lead out requirements. The HexaLock Virtual Digital Hologram or VDH copy protection technology is based on these as well.

Supported by every version of the Windows (Win 95 and above), the protection is offered for files with extension DOC, PPT, PPS, HTML, PDF, MPEG and JPEG; however, the most common file type protected with HexaLock are the Program executable or .exe files.

Those who are thinking about copying a HexaLock copy protected file to a hard disc, they shall be utterly disappointed knowing that every HexaLock copy-protected file comprise certain unique elements that facilitate the execution of a protected program. Copying the content to a hard disc thus becomes impossible, since the elements shall miss out, causing the program to stall in the absence of the original CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive. In case there are program files that need being copied to a hard disc due to performance reasons, it can only be done at the presence of the original CD or DVD in the drive. This shall allow for a proper authentication and content protected files can thus be read and copied.

How HexDVDR protects against copying video DVD-s?

- As mentioned in their own website (http://hexalock.co.il/products/DVDRV/): HexDVDR-Video effectively protects DVDs against:

- Duplicating the complete DVD by copying of the disc image – The copy program will either stop or take a very long time (multiple hours) to copy. The result will not play back in any of the commercially available or custom made players.

- Duplicate the complete DVD by file based copying – The copy program will either stop or take a very long time (multiple hours) to copy. The result will not play back in consumer and software players.

- Rip separate titles from the DVD HexDVDR-Video will protect one title on the disc against ripping (typically the main movie) – trying to rip this will result in a very long ripping time (multiple hours) and distorted video.

- Emulate the original DVD – not possible, because ripping programs will not create a valid image.

- Professional piracy through mass replication is much harder (* although with good equipment possible – we don’t believe any other claim from competing products).

The procedure of data securing

Instead of spinning lengthy yearns on how the procedure of data securing functions, it’s easier to break up the process into the following steps:

- Files to be copied are encrypted and stored on the disc.

- A small autorun file (the HexaLock content manager) is then added by the AutoLock Wizard.

- The file starts executing automatically when the protected disc is inserted into the disc’s drive by acting as a mediator allowing a 3rd-party application to read the encrypted files.

- The file blocks any attempt caused by any other application to read the protected files.

- This also stops the encrypted files from being saved to another location/storage medium; however copying and pasting is optionally permitted. The AutoLock wizard blocks even printing/print screen operations if the features are selected prior to the application of the safety measures to the master disc.