PROTECTiON iD v5.0 FiNAL
(c) http://protectionid.owns.it  CDKiLLER [02/2003 - 03/2004]

Mirror 1 - http://wave.prohosting.com/proid/  (always up to date, disable popup blocker)
Mirror 2 - Eagle Eye
Mirror 3 - cdmediaworld.com
Mirror 4 - Copybase.ch

greets to all my friends (specially to x/xxx) for all the effort you put into my tool, making it what it is today...
one of the best Protection Scanners for PC Games and Applications.

NOTE !
there will be an updated version 'Protection_id_v5.0_Final_B' in a few days wich fixes some minor bugs.
once it´s released, the work with v5.1 can begin wich has a lot new features again ;-)

Features

* scanning of PC Games & Application files to detect the protection used(s)
* detects most of the available executable compressor / crypter and it´s up to date in detecting the newest PC-Game protections
* scanning CDs / DVDs for Tagés (only available on win2k / winxp, but no ASPI drivers required)
* scan folders with all the included files
* coded in 100% Win32 Assembly language, allowing it to run on every WinOS since Windows 95
* easy scanning with the shell context menu 'Scan with Protection ID...' or drag & drop files into the (simple to use) GUI
* ability to scan a cracked file and to get possible information which protection was originally used
* check for the newest update and download it
* more strong scanning routines allowing it to detect multiple (!) protections in one file
* no additional files like VB Runtimes, MSVC dlls or ASPI drivers are required, you simply need one exe file !
* constantly updated to detect the newest protections available for PC Games & Applications
   (hey which other tool has this feature too ? ;-)

* detection for most of the available PC Game Protections
    - CD Lock
    - Codelok
    - Laserlok
    - Safecast
    - Safedisc
    - SecuROM
    - Settec Alpha ROM (new !)
    - Starforce
    - SVKP
    - Tagés
    - VOB Protect CD
    - CD/DVD - Checks
    - CD/DVD - Keys / Serials

* detection for todays popular commercial executable protectors including
    - ACPack (also known as Ultra Protect)
    - Armadillo
    - ASPack
    - ASProtec
    - Petite
    - SVKP (Slovak Protector)
    - X-Treme Protector

* and also for many other commercial protections including
    - Air EXELock (new !)
    - Akala EXELock
    - Cryptolock (new !)
    - E-Zip (new !)
    - EXE32Pack
    - EXEProt
    - EXEStealth
    - Neolite
    - Obsidium Software Protection
    - Passlock 2000 (new !)
    - PE Bundle
    - PE Compact
    - PE Lock
    - PKLite32
    - Special EXE Password Protector
    - Shrinker
    - Softdefender
    - VBOWatch
    - WWPack32

* PiD also detects most freeware protectors
    - BJFNT
    - cEXE (new !)
    - Def
    - FSG!
    - Krypton
    - Lamecrpyt
    - NFO
    - Noodlecrypt
    - PE Diminisher
    - PE Mangle
    - PE Nguincrypt
    - PE Nightmare
    - PE Ninja
    - PE Pack/Crypt
    - Perplex PE Protector (new !)
    - PE Shield
    - PE Shrink
    - PEX
    - Simple PE Encrypter
    - Stealth PE
    - TELock
    - UPX
    - UPX Scrambler (new !)
    - VGCrypt
    - WinKrypt
    - Yoda Crypt


History

v5.0 FiNAL
--------------
Don´t get me wrong, I labeled it 'FiNAL' because i released a public Beta some weeks ago.
Nor does it mean I´ll stop developing this popular tool ;-)

during the development of v5.0 many things have been added, improved, changed, bugfixed and tweaked.
Protection iD got a totally new core with lots of enhancements, so i don´t write every fix etc
into the changelog because they will make it explode...

also, may I say, my tool is the only one with a 99% Tagés detection.
other tools sometimes have trouble in detecting Tagés or detect Tagés wrong on a CD/DVD where another protection is used.
the Tagés scanning feature is only available on Win2k / WinXP / Win2k3 without the need of ASPI drivers.
soon it will be Win9x compatible, also without any additional drivers !

i want to say 'a very big THANX' to you mate (x/xxx) for all your effort and help u put into v5.xx. u know who u are !
together we brought PROTECTiON iD to the next level !

* added: aggressive scan (read notes) for a more powerfull detection
* added: CD/DVD sector scanning for ISO protections (Tagés only in v5.0, more will follow)
* added: CD/DVD file scanning for all possible protections if executable is present in an uncompressed state
* added: context scan menu for all files (can be enabled / disabled in the GUI) (read notes)
* added: drag & drop support for the GUI, simply select as many files as you want and drop them into Protection iD
* added: folder scanning
* added: glowing buttons to GUI
* added: log window showing all detected protections
* added: online update (systray menu -> support -> check for updates)
* added: progress bar showing total progress of scan to be completed
* added: queue window, displaying the files in queue when doing a multiscan or drag & drop of more than one file
* added: status window displaying the current operations
* added: systray icon / menu (single / multi scan, folder / cd / dvd scan, drop me a mail, check website, download newest update)
* added: updater wich will download the latest version for you (systray menu -> support -> check for updates) (read notes)
* added: detailed information about a program crash
* added: detection for Laserlock version (if detection is possible...)
* added: detection for Settec Alpha ROM (used in Korean games, will hit Europe soon... thx mate for the exe !)
* added: detection for VOB Protect CD version
* added: detection for Air ExeLock
* added: detection for Crypto-Lock
* added: detection for E-Zip
* added: detection for latest EXEStealth v2.74
* added: detection for Perplex PE Protector
* added: detection for UPX Scrambler
* added: detection for latest X-treme Protector v1.07
* added: detection if a  CD-Key is required (i.e Call of Duty, Savage, Quake 3 Arena...)
* added: more CD/DVD-Check detection strings to database (i.e. Fire Starter, Massive Assault, Apache Longbow Assault...)
* added: scanning in all files wich are valid PE files (i.e. in Lords of Everquest, the Lords.ree is protected with SecuROM)
* improved: totally new scanning routines (much faster and more stable)
* improved: ASPack detection
* improved: FSG detection
* improved: Krypton detection
* improved: Neolite detection
* improved: PE Compact detection
* improved: PE Lock detection
* improved: PE Shield detection
* improved: Softdefender version checking
* improved: Special EXE Password Protector detection
* improved: Stealth PE detection
* improved: UPX detection (to detect fakes and modified versions)
* improved: VBO Watch detection
* improved: VGCrypt detection
* improved: X-treme Protector v1.00 - v1.07 detection (i.e. Spellforce exe is protected with v1.06)
* improved: checks if a file was cracked by an iso / dox / rip group
* removed: checks for possible CD-Check API Calls (i got enough CD-Check strings wich should find the checks)
* fixed: 4 KB file scanning crash

Aggressive Scan [default: on]
a very usefull feature wich enables you to check if a file is protected by more than one protection.

Games: i.e. you can check if a SecuROM protected exe also has CD/DVD-Checks
Apps: some crypters are faking / hiding the real protection like Stealth PE.
          i.e. if you scan an ASPack protected file where Stealth PE is used to hide the real protection, both will be detected by PiD

Context Menu
once enabled in the GUI you are able to scan every (!) file with a right click 'Scan with Protection ID...'

CD/DVD scanning
sector scanning only supports Tagés in v5.0 (for other protections simply scan the programs exe)
file scanning supports all kind of protections.
once Protection iD is started it will pop up a tray icon.
click on it and select 'Scan File(s) / Folders / CD/DVD' -> 'CD/DVD drive file/ sector' -> your drive letter

Auto - Updates
tray icon -> support -> check for updates
will check if a new update is available and it will be downloaded

v4.2
-----
* added: detection for encrypted SecuROM versions newer than 4.87.00 (thx to CirKutz)
* added: detection for more Armadillo versions
* added: detection for more TeLock versions
* added: detection for Akala EXELock
* added: detection for Stealth PE
* added: more CD/DVD-Check detection strings to database (i.e. Secret Weapons over Normandy)
* improved: SecuROM detection code
* improved: VOB Protect CD detection
* improved: ACPack detection
* improved: BJFnt detection
* improved: Exe Bundle detection
* improved: ExeStealth detection
* improved: FSG detection
* improved: Pex detection
* improved: PE Bundle detection
* improved: PKLite32 detection
* improved: Shrinker detection

v4.1
-----
* added: more CD/DVD-Check detection strings to database (i.e. Chaos Legion, Kelly Slaters Pro Surfer, NHL 2004, Reel Deal Poker...)
* added: detection for more UPX versions
* improved: CD/DVD-Check detection
* improved: scanning speed of Multiscan function
* improved: SecuROM detection (hopefully fixed the 'was protected with SecuROM but has been unwrapped' bug in a few non-cracked files)
* fixed: Bug when scanning more then 2 unwrapped Safedisc files wich always showed 'No additional CD/DVD-Checks'
* fixed: Bug in unwrapped SecuROM files wich says 'Protected with additional CD-Checks' when a certain string was found
* fixed: crashbug when scanning files < 4 KB
* fixed: SecuROM version bug (i.e. PiD v4.0 detected SecuROM 4.84.85.0017, but real version is 4.84.85 only, coz it´s zero terminated)
* removed: detection if a game was cracked by RAZOR 1911 due request

v4.0
-----
* added: new logo by Eboy [SAC]
* added: check if the scanned file is a valid Executable
* added: message when scanning files >20 MB
* added: scanning for CD-Checks in cracked SecuROM files
* added: detection for ASProtect
* added: detection for BJFnt
* added: detection for Def v1.0
* added: detection for Exe Bundle
* added: detection for ExeProt
* added: detection for Krypton
* added: detection for PE Mangle
* added: detection for PE Pack/Crypt
* added: detection for PhrozenCrew PE Shrinker
* added: detection for PKLite32
* added: detection for Simple PE Crypter
* added: detection for Stone´s PE Encrypter
* added: detection for TeLock
* added: detection for hacked UPX versions
* added: detection for VBO Watch
* added: detection for VGShrink
* added: detection for WWPack32
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* added: detection if ASPack was unwrapped with ASPackDie
* improved: Armadillo detection
* improved: ASPack detection (v2.11, v2.12)
* improved: CD-Check API detection
* improved: CodeLock detection
* improved: FSG detection speed
* improved: Neolite detection
* improved: NFO detection
* improved: Noodle Crypt detection
* improved: Obsidium Software Protection
* improved: PEnguincrypt detection
* improved: PeX detection
* improved: Petite detection scanning speed
* improved: VGCrypt detection for both encryption modes (added section, installed code into cave)
* improved: SecuROM detection code optimized
* fixed: UPX detection bug
* fixed: ProtectionID cannot be started more than once at the same time
* fixed: some grammar issues (thx BountyWarrior)
...and finally the easteregg has become a picture...

v3.5
-----
* added: detection for Neolite
* added: detection for PE Nightmare
* added: detection for PE Ninja
* added: detection for PE Shield
* added: detection for PeX
* added: detection for Softdefender
* added: detection for VGCrypt
* added: Easteregg ;-)
* improved: CD-Check detection strings and messages
* improved: general code optimizations

v3.4
----
* added: detection for PE Diminisher
* added: detection for PEnguincrypt
* added: detection for PE Lock
* added: detection for WinKrypt
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* improved: cleaned up SecuROM detection code
* improved: FSG detection and scanning speed
* improved: AC Pack detection
* improved: formated most messages
* removed: MessageBox when the selected file is bigger then 30 MB

v3.3
----
* added: detection for Anti Crack Software Protector
* added: detection for Special EXE Pasword Protector
* added: detection for Xtreme Protector
* added: detection if the Slovak Protector (SVKP) has been cracked
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* improved: Armadillo detection
* improved: speed of Safedisc and Safecast scanning routine
* improved: Safedisc will be detected if the version info was removed

v3.2
----
* added: a completely rewritten 'Release Group Search Tag Engine', wich enables much faster scanning of all files
* added: Armadillo detection
* added: Shrinker detection
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* improved: FSG detection
* improved: NFO detection
* improved: Obsidium Software Protection detection
* improved: Petite detection
* improved: new scanning algorithm for all Protections
* improved: generic speed and memory improvements when scanning for group tags
* fixed: Uninstall Context Menu for exe and dll.reg now works proper on Win98 / WinME / Win2000 / WinXP

v3.1
----
* added: *.reg file for uninstalling the context menu for exe / dll files
* added: ASPack detection
* added: EXE32 Pack support
* added: EXEStealth detection
* added: FSG detection
* added: Lamecrypt detection
* added: NFO encrypter detection
* added: Noodle Crypt detection
* added: Obsidium Software Protection detection
* added: PE Bundle detection
* added: PE Compact detection
* added: Petite detection
* added: Yoda Crypt detection
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* changed: starting Protection.ID will not force the fileopen dialog to show up anymore
* changed: Protection ID will quit after showing wich protection is used, when scanning with the shell context menu
* removed: detection wich Group cracked the Slovak Protector

v3.0
----
* added: Shell Context Menu 'Scan with ProtectionID...' for exe/dll files (thx to P. for the code)
* added: Commandline support (Protection_ID.exe -scan filename)
* added: detection if the following protections have been cracked: Starforce / CD Lock / Slovak Protector
* added: detection if a file was cracked by Team FAS
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* changed: a warning will now pop up when scanning a file wich is bigger than 30 MB
* changed: scanning first for UPX and SVKP and then for commercial ISO Protections
* improved: rewritten most code for more speed and to allow an easy implementation of new detections
* improved: detection if a file was cracked by iMMERSiON
* improved: better Starforce detection and second check
* improved: optimized some CD-Check detection strings
* improved: Cracktro.exe ;-)
* fixed: small bug wich don´t detect if a safedisc file was cracked by DRUNK (i.e. cracked Big Mutha Truckers.exe)
* fixed: small bug in safedisc detection wich could slow down scanning speed
* fixed scanning bug for a german error message (Red Faction 2)
* removed: ASPack detection (not used in Games, exept a dll from Domino Day)

v2.4
-----
* added: SecuROM with random sections will be detected (i.e. Championship Manager 4 v4.04)
* added: Message wich asks you to scan a file wich is bigger than 20 MB
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* added: new Cracktro.exe with full Credits to the people who helped me
* changed: only one Logo (thanx to Monty Burns who made it) for smaller filesize
* improved: generic SecuROM detection improvements
* improved: strings for CD-Check scanning

v2.3
----
* added: scanning for SecuROM version in SecuROM unwrapped files (if possible...)
* added: detection if a Codelok encrypted file has been cracked by a group
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* added: Creditz.com, only 904 Bytes ;-)
* fixed: bug where it wasn´t possible to detected if Safedisc V1 has been cracked
* fixed: memory won´t be freed when no protection was found

v2.2
----
* added: Codelok support (i.e. Gangsters2.exe, thx Krondike for the exe)
* added: detection wich group cracked a VOB Protect CD protected file
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* improved: Slovak Protector detection rewritten (old one wasn´t generic)
* improved: UPX detection
* improved: SecuROM version detection code
* improved: faster Safecast detection
* fixed: bug wich doesn´t detect Safedisc V1
* fixed: bug wich doesn´t free allocated memory after scanning with the 'Scan' button
* fixed: spelling 'bugs' ;-)

v2.1
----
* added: scanning for CD-Checks in Safedisc unwrapped files
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* improved: ASPack, Safecast, StarForce and UPX detection
* improved: detection if SecuROM was unwrapped
* improved: generic improvements in detection wich group cracked the game
* improved: scanning speed for Safedisc version
* improved: tweaked some messages
* fixed: small SecuROM detection bug

v2.0
-----
* added: random logo generator (thx to bOOls eYe for the code)
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* improved: VOB Protect CD detection
* improved: Safedisc 2/3 detection (fixes Bug in Morrowind.exe)
* fixed: GUI will now really popup on the center of your screen
* fixed: allocated memory will now ever be freed when you close the ProtectionID.exe
* removed: Armadillo Protection (only used in Gothic2.exe and no other games as for as i know)

v2.0 Beta 3
-------------
* added: new Logo (thx to Monty Burns)
* added: detection if a cracked file was cracked by SOULDRiNKER
* fixed: bug wich says 'No Protection found' in a already cracked SecuROM files
* fixed: some allocated memory bugs
* tweaked messages

v2.0 Beta 2
-------------
* added: updated GUI style with better Logo
* added: Window will now popup on the center of your screen
* fixed: bug that forces program to quit when no protection was found
* fixed: small bug in multiple filescanning routine (thanx to Monty Burn for reporting)
* fixed bug where no protection will be detected after scanning more than 7 files

v2.0 Beta 1
-------------
* added: Graphical User Interface
* added: multi file scanning
* added: ability to scan files wich are opened by other tools (i.e. you can scan a file wich is loaded into an HexEditor)
* fixed: small Tweaks and Fixes here and there ...

v1.7
-----
* added: Armadillo detection is back (Bug fixed)
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* improved: many speed optimizations
* improved: SecuROM ID Code (thx to CirKutz for a better code)
* improved: Laserlock detection and show group wich cracked Laserlock
* improved: detection code for cracked Safedisc / SecuROM executables

v1.6
-----
* changed: Armadillo Detection disabled (strange bug inside!), will come back in a later version
* changed: some messages tweaked
* improved: generic speed improvements (thx to CirKutz for allocated memory hints)
* improved: detection wich Group cracked the Game
* improved: CD-Check detection (also checks if CD-Check has been cracked)
* fixed: Crashbug when scanning for CD-Checks in a Safedisc unwrapped file

v1.5
-----
* added: support for Armadillo (Gothic 2)
* added: support for Safecast (thx to bOOls eYe for some infos)
* added: support for older versions of VOB Protect CD (i.e Port Royale - german)
* improved: scanning speed for SecuROM, Starforce and VOB Protect CD
* fixed: 'no additional CD-Checks found' in an unprotected exe is now fixed
* fixed: bug when Safedisc was found and cracked by an unknown group says file is not cracked

v1.4
-----
* added: support for CD Lock protected files (i.e. Tomb Raider 3)
* added: more CD-Check detection strings to database
* improved: scanning speed in Safedisc / SecuROM executables
* improved: Safedisc scanning speed (50% faster now)
* fixed Scanning for CD-Checks in cracked executables didn´t work properly

v1.3
-----
* added: scanning for CD-Checks in cracked Safedisc executables / dlls
* added: checks if a SecuROM protected file was cracked
* fixed: some lines in SecuROM detection code (found SecuROM 4.xx.xx in a SecuROM unwrapped file is now gone)

v1.2
----
* added: detection for Slovak Protector (thx to Mplayer-Warlord for the original ArxFatalis 1.16a.exe)
* added: checks if a Safedisc protected file was cracked
* added: 4 more CD-Check detection strings to database

v1.1
----
* added: when scanning a Safedisc unwrapped file, the Safedisc version wich was used will be shown
* changed: first scanning for English CD-Check messages, than German messages
* improved: scanning for English & German CD-Check messages

v1.0
----
* added: 21 different CD-Check Strings to scan for (i.e. Game CD not in drive...)
* added: detection for possible CD-Checks (GetVolumeInformationA & GetDriveTypeA)
* added: check if a Safedisc protected exe has been cracked (erased stx - sections)
* added: Safedisc V1 detection
* improved: CD-Check detection algorithm
* removed: scanning for stuff from API detection code

v0.7
----
* added: detection for Safedisc 3.0 (will come soon...)
* improved: Laserlock detection (thx to bOOls eYe for the Warrior Kings v1.3 exe and some hints)
* improved: CD-Check scanning algorithm
* improved: Safedisc detection Code

v0.6
----
* added: Safedisc version will be detected (thx to bOOls eYe for the code)
* added: Safedisc unwrapping hints
* improved: CD-Check detection - tested on 18 game executables :d
* improved: Starforce detection (Anstoss 4)
* fixed: no WriteAcces needed when opening files

v0.5
----
* added: scanning for CD-Checks (still experimental)
* added: ASPack detection (Dominy Day)
* added: more protection informations

v0.4
----
* added: detection of UPX
* added: DAT files can be scanned (Aquanox2.dat is SecuROM protected)
* added: VOB Protect CD Serial hint
* improved: support for newest VOB Protect CD (Highland Warriors)

v0.3
----
* added: DLL Support (e.g. BF1942 Mod.dll)
* added: detection of the SecuROM version (thx to CirKutz)
* added: second check for VOB Protect CD
* improved: Laserlock and SecuROM detection

v0.2
----
* added: Laserlock will be detected (Biathlon 2003)
* added: detection of VOB Protect CD (Skispringen 2003)
* fixed: Crashbug when selecting Abort on FileOpenDialog

v0.1
----
* basic working code
* detection for Safedisc, SecuROM and Starforce


Creditz

Greets for coding help and bugfixing fly out to all my friends
who worked on ProtectionID... to many to mention...
you know who you are and i thank you all !
it is fun working together with you.

special thx to x/xxx for all your help with v5

More greets for testing, suggestions and publishing to
Krondike, Monty Burns, GLH and EagleEye
BountyWarrior, Ghosth@cker, RincewindtheWiz
my two 'special' friends R!Co and MPlayer-Warlord

and finally to Eboy [SAC] for the kickass skin !

without the help of you all, this tool wouldn´t exists !!!

greets to all my friends in...
FAiRLiGHT, VACE, VERMiSO, ESi
DRUNK, DEViANCE, MYTH, MiDNiGHT!