   Protecting Your Work (from Lazy Thieves???)
  I''m wondering how others protect their work(their source code)models they create,textures etc while their online.What i''m talking about is this.I have a connector from my computer to where i plug in for my internet connection,it has a light that shows any internet activity(it is still when nothing is being downloaded or not browsing webpages,and flashes when downloading something,or browsing a web site.)For a long time now,every time i connect to the net,i know that their is internet activity(even when no pages are open)so i unplug,wait a minute or two,and i get a warning from my firewall,that it has blocked a hack attempt.A few seconds later,my red light starts flashing as though a file is being downloaded.I am running McAfee Security Centre,with Zone Alarm Pro,which reports they are blocking attempts to access my computer,but they obviously aren''t.It is getting ridiculous,where i am plugging/unplugging my internet,in between jumping from one page to another,to slow down any files that might be downloaded.I don''t trust that my security is doing its job,and am worried that as i am coding,somebody is stealing it.My I.P changes every couple of days,but it doesn''t seem to make a difference,iv''e scanned for viruses,which say there aren''t any,and even after a clean install of windows,the problem is the same.Because,i''m constantly backing up/working with source code,it has to be on my hard drive,iv''e also tried using Folder Guard,and locking/hiding my code folder,before i go online,which doesn''t make a difference.This is really worrying,and i''m even getting slighly paranoid that it could be a worker from my ISP LOL-:.Has anyone got any ideas/advice for protecting files,or some methods for trying to trace who could be doing it?Since my work(textures,models,code etc)are the only files that might be worth stealing to someone,i think that this is what i have to protect.I''d appreciate any help/advice on how others protect their work.Steve.  
  NEVER program on a comp connected to ANY network. [ Enter the Unspoken Realm ]  ;  go to the command prompt while your connected and think you''re being hackedtype netstat -aand see who''s connected and to what ports.You should just setup your firewall to block ALL incomming ports excepts one for known services you use if you happen to run any (80, 21,23, ect).  Don''t worry about outgoing.Download a port scanner and port scan your system from OUTSIDE your network to see which ports are open.  If any ports are open you don''t want open, block them.Run virus scan to make sure you''re not infected with anything.Ben    IcarusIndie.com;  The only reason I would protect my code if it was extremely poorly done, and I was embarrassed by it. Either that, or it is for my game''s scripting, and I would prefer to keep that as secret as possible.Other than that, I just label most of my code GPL, and if somebody is interested, they can look at it. Heck, they can even edit it--as long as they notify me of the changes. I find that a lot of people on the net are extremely talented programmers, and if they wish to check out my source, I am flattered by the concept.    -=-I think signatures are unprofessional.Dude! You''re getting a signature virus!;  Thanks for the reply's.DakeDesu,i'm sure you mean well,and no offense,but if they was 'normal'talented programmers they would know that it isn't ok to Hack into other programmers computers and download their source code.And i don't think they are the type of people to 'give you a mention' for anything.i think if they go to lengths of hacking the security(disabling it etc)then they are after more than just a look.Maybe your not planning on making anything commercial,or haven't got that far with a project.I certainly wouldn't be flattered if i saw my models and textures being used in someone elses games(as they are proffessional models that i sell)for nothing.I also don't like the idea of my designs being used in someone else's game before iv'e made mine.Thanks for replying, Unspoken_Magi,you are right,the only way i can make sure,is use another comp not connected at all to the net.Cheers.SteveB.P.S DakeDesu,would you mind leaving your I.P? so i can look at your souce code later if you wouldn't mind.Thanks.[edited by - SteveB on March 12, 2003 11:03:27 PM];  Any programmer worth his salt isn''t going to waste his (or her) time trying to hack into random people''s computer. The traffic you are seeing is probably just random packets sent by other computers on your ISP''s subnet. If it actually is a hack attempt, it''s most likely some script kiddie that wouldn''t know C++ from spanish. The real threat is some little punk getting in and deleting or mindlessly modifying your stuff. A good backup system will alleviate most of that risk. >>NEVER program on a comp connected to ANY network.Buaahaha.. make sure you keep soldiers in the machine gun nests outside your office, too. You wouldn''t want some crack head to break in, steal your PC, and reuse your revolutionary new terrain rendering engine in his games.  ;  You should make sure your virus scanner is up to date and scan your whole computer. There shouldn''t be any activity unless a program is actually using the network. If you don''t know what program is doing this, something is wrong.If you don''t find a virus, make sure your firewall isn''t in stealth mode and scan your ports (like with this). If NetBIOS is open, put some effort into closing it. It''s evil. If any of the ports commonly used by viruses are open, abandon your virus scanner and get a new one.  ;  Unless they have a port open allowing remote access having someone''s IP isn''t going to do diddly.208.225.205.249orwww.icarusindie.comortherabbithole.redback.inficad.comThey''re all the same.Unless someone knows you have lots of good stuff worth the effort, nobody is going to go through all the effort of learning what equipment you have and how to bypass it''s security if it''s even exploitable in the first place.I run versions of windows on all my computers and my server is logged in with an admin account.  Just to make it "easy."I never understood the paranoia.  All you have to know is "what ports are accessible from the outside?"  and "what software is using them?"Ben    IcarusIndie.com;  I think it is someone hacking(not random packets),I just tried something.As the light was flashing,i moved my main source folder into another directory,the light stopped immediatly(in the same way if you had clicked a dead webpage,it starts flashing...then the light stops dead when the page can't be found).After a while,the light goes again,move the folder...it stops,etc etc.Ben,yes i do have(or won't have anymore)a lot of good stuff,that would be a Dream for game devlopers,3d artists or some script kiddie like bpopp mentioned.(it would be like having ready made game content Packs for them).In any case,iv'e just telephoned the police,and they are sending 2 bobbies over to stand outside my office,in case of any further breach of security)-:who knows what could happen if the new 'X-Stealth'engine got into the wrong hands...seriously,thanks for the reply's,just going to use another comp for surfing/researching on the net.SteveB."Trust No-One...The world is a dangerous place.-Nocturne-GodGames1999"[edited by - SteveB on March 12, 2003 12:24:44 AM];  u probably have a worm.. run add-aware of something  