PHP Encoder / PHP Compiler - FAQ's

- General questions and purchasing
- Loader FAQs
- Security
- Support

General questions and purchasing

What is SourceGuardian?

SourceGuardian for PHP allows you to quickly and securely encode, compile and encrypt your PHP files to protect not only your intellectual property, but also sensitive information such as database passwords. SourceGuardian enables the time limiting of files as well as locing files to a particular machine or IP address and also includes its own in-built licensing system.

What are the benefits of encoding and compiling PHP scripts?

The benefits of encoding your PHP scripts are varied and over time we have found that our customers have different uses for it. Examples include:

• protecting the PHP application so that it can be distributed in a similar way to a normal application, in the knowledge that the source code will not be distributed.
• Distributing trial versions of a PHP application
• Locking PHP Scripts to one machine so that an application cannot be stolen or 'misappropriated' by staff members for use outside of the organisation. This protects the companies intellectual property from being stolen
• Protecting database passwords
• Part-protecting an application so that most files remain open - ie so that they can be altered - but protecting core functionality
• Telework programmers who wish to ensure that they will be paid after completing their work use SourceGuardian to protect their work. One they have been paid they provide their client with a fully unlocked version.
• and many others

Ultimately if you have a commercial requirement for using your PHP scripts, then SourceGuardian can help.

How do my customers run encoded scripts?

SourceGuardian provides, free of charge, loaders to run encoded scripts on various platforms. Our standard loaders include Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, FreeBSD and Sun Solaris, but we can create loaders on demand for any platform (for example we created loaders for IBM mainframe for one client).

Please refer to our loader installation page for more information

How much does it cost?

We offer one version of our PHP Encoder, which has every feature that you will need to protect and distribute your PHP code, including a full licensing engine. We have one price of only $250, which includes free premium support. Your encoded files will run on any supported platform, completely free.

Do I need to purchase a license to distribute encoded scripts?

There is no need to purchase any additional licenses to distribute your encoded scripts. All your encoded PHP files can be distributed for no additional cost.

What license do I receive for the encoder?

You receive a full, time unlimited license to use the SourceGuardian PHP Encoder on one machine. If you need to move the license to another machine this is possible. Your code, once encoded on this machine can be run on any machine that is covered by our loaders including Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Sun Solaris, FreeBSD, NetBSD and others.

What platforms does SourceGuardian support?

SourceGuardian PHP Encoder is available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. Loaders will run on Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, FreeBSD and Sun Solaris and other platforms upon request.

What methods of payment do you accept?

Our standard payment methods are credit card and PayPal. We are also able to accept direct bank transfers. Please contact us if you have any further questions.

Loader FAQs

What license do I need to use the loader?

There is no need to purchase any additional licenses to distribute your encoded scripts. All your encoded PHP files can be distributed for no additional cost.

Can I bundle your loaders with my application?

Yes, we are happy for you to bundle the loaders with your application or to link through to our loaders page which is updated with new loaders as they are developed.

We have no access to php.ini. What would you suggest?

Most PHP installations allow SourceGuardian encoded applications to be ran without any modification of PHP. If dl() is enabled as part of the install (which it is by default) then your encoded scripts will run. Most organisations and hosting companies are willing to install our loader and we are happy to speak with them on your behalf. Supporting our customers is important to us.

Can other optimizers be installed alongside SourceGuardian?

Yes, you can install other optimizers or loaders alongside SourceGuardian. Please read the documentation relating to this.

Security

How secure will my scripts be?

We use various techniques to protect PHP scripts. This includes, but is not limited to, bytecode encoding, an encryption layer and obfuscation. Some of our techniques, for obvious reasons, are not documented outside of our team and this is to provide hightened protection for the PHP scripts. No system is 100% foolproof, though we strive very hard to ensure that we are at the forefront of PHP protection.

Does SourceGuardian include time limiting & IP/Domain locking?

Yes, SourceGuardian can time limit scripts either as part of the application or via a license file which can be generated. We can also limit to IP address, domain name as well as MAC address. This is standard within our application.

Support

What levels of support do you offer?

All customers receive a completely free premium level of support and our team of support technicians are very happy to help you to understand and use SourceGuardian. We are also more than happy to listen to feature requests or unusual installation requirements.

Will you support my customers?

Unlike others, we're more than happy to support any of your customers if there is a specific need. We do expect our customers to create adequate documentation and to have a level of understanding in terms of installing the loaders, but we're very happy to support your customers if the need arises.