How Do Hackers Crack EVERYTHING???

Summary

The video explores how Adobe's attempts to combat piracy through its subscription-based Creative Cloud were quickly circumvented by hackers. Despite investing millions in encryption and security measures, software crackers use advanced tools like debuggers and custom loaders to bypass Adobe's protections. As the battle between Adobe and crackers escalates, new features like cloud-based AI processing make it harder to crack. The video also highlights how release groups of skilled hackers dissect security systems, often leading to careers in security, creating an ongoing cycle of innovation and counteraction.

Takeaways

• 😀 Adobe's 2013 shift to a subscription model aimed to combat piracy, but cracked versions appeared just two days later.
• 😀 Despite significant efforts, methods like serial numbers, dongles, and DRM were consistently bypassed by hackers.
• 😀 Modern DRM systems, like Adobe's Creative Cloud, constantly verify software usage to prevent unauthorized access.
• 😀 Tools like Ali dbg and Ida Pro allow hackers to reverse-engineer and exploit security vulnerabilities in software.
• 😀 Hackers can bypass software validation checks by modifying the program code or faking server responses using a loader.
• 😀 Loaders are effective because they manipulate the program in memory rather than altering the software files themselves.
• 😀 Adobe moved critical features to cloud-only processing, reducing the risk of cracks for functions like neural filters in Photoshop.
• 😀 Cracking software involves organized teams called release groups that specialize in reverse engineering, coding, and testing cracks.
• 😀 Release groups, like Core Reloaded and CPY, work with precision and compete to crack new software protection systems.
• 😀 In a twist of irony, many former hackers now work in tech security, using their skills to strengthen protection systems.

Q & A

What was Adobe's initial response to software piracy in 2013?

In 2013, Adobe switched to a subscription model with the aim of combating software piracy. However, within two days, cracked versions of their software appeared online.

How do hackers typically break software protections like Adobe's?

Hackers typically use tools like debuggers and disassemblers to reverse-engineer the software. They identify the points where the software checks for validity, and either modify the code to skip those checks or create fake servers to mimic the legitimate ones.

What is the role of the 'bouncer' analogy in explaining DRM?

The 'bouncer' analogy describes how DRM (Digital Rights Management) works by constantly checking if a user has the right to access the software. It’s like a bouncer monitoring your presence at a bar and ensuring you're allowed entry, but with the difference that DRM can kick you out at any time.

How do hackers use tools like Ida Pro to break down software?

Ida Pro is used by hackers to disassemble the software code into a human-readable form. This helps them pinpoint the exact locations in the program where license validation occurs, allowing them to bypass or modify these checks.

What is a loader, and how does it help crack software?

A loader is a piece of software that acts as an intermediary between Photoshop and Adobe's servers. It intercepts the communication and sends a fake response, tricking Photoshop into thinking it's talking to Adobe, allowing the program to run as if it's properly licensed.

Why are loaders considered harder to detect than traditional cracks?

Loaders are harder to detect because they don't modify the original software files on the user's computer. Instead, they alter the program in memory during runtime, making them less detectable by security systems.

What are some of the recent efforts Adobe has made to combat piracy?

Adobe has moved critical features, such as neural filters, to cloud-only processing. This means the actual processing takes place on Adobe’s servers, reducing the risk of cracks since attackers would need to crack Adobe's servers rather than the local software.

What role do release groups play in software cracking?

Release groups are highly organized teams of specialists who collaborate to crack software. Each member has a specific role, such as reverse-engineering the code, writing loader scripts, or testing the cracks across different systems.

How do release groups compete with one another in cracking software?

Release groups compete to be the first to crack new protection systems. They not only aim to break the software but also seek recognition within underground communities where technical expertise is highly valued.

What is the ultimate goal behind cracking software like Photoshop?

The goal is not just piracy, but to demonstrate that no protection system is flawless. This often leads to the discovery of vulnerabilities that even the software creators, like Adobe, may not have identified yet.