$40,000 hacker challenge

[Larwee]

WIBU-Systems has made an offer of $40,000 to the first hacker who can remove its anti-piracy software from an application.

In a way this shows that they have great confidence in their product. It also is a relatively inexpensive way for them to put it through the best possible testing. There are many hackers who would want both the bragging rights as well plus $40,000. WIBU-Systems says they might even make a job offer to that person as well.

But they don't really think anyone is going to be able to do it. They had a $4,000 challenge before and no one was able to break the security software. They say this product is 10 times more secure so they are offering 10 times the money.

The challenge runs from January 31, 2007 until March 14, 2007.

Here is a link to an article with more details Dr. Dobb's | Anti-Piracy Company Issues $40,000 Hacker Challenge | January 4, 2007

[Larwee]

Something really caught my attention about this.

The people who want to win the $40,000 must register. They will receive a full software developer kit. WIBU-Systems has so much confidence that they are saying the following:

They can see how the software security system is put together. We think our system is so secure that even knowing that they won't be able to bust through it.

That is really a lot of confidence. This is one that will be worth watching to see if any hacker is successful. It would also be great to see something that hackers had no success with.

[StephenR]

Coming from a military background in the COMPUSEC/COMSEC realm I can tell you nothing is completely secure. There is a always a loophole no matter how small it may be. This is a fun and interesting promotion they're doing but the REAL deal hackers will not participate in an event like this.

[Larwee]

Of course, you are right Stephen and I think it would be impossible to argue with the points you made.

I mentioned this is a good way for them to do some testing at for a relatively small amount of money. It is also going to give them some publicity, and that never hurts. They are even going to start the registration at the Macworld Expo, which should also help get some attention. They will let people register online as well.

The publicity for them will be very good if no one cracks it during the six weeks of the contest since at least some of those entering will have some hacking talents even if they aren't the best in the world. It will help give more confidence to their product.

If someone does crack it, WIBU-Systems will be able to work on it. Many will even give them credit for doing this to try to improve their product. I guess some might also look on this as a method of some rather extensive testing.

Here is another article for people who have an interest in this type of thing. It gives a few more details on why WIBU-Systems might be doing this as well as making it clear, just as Stephen did, that even if no one does crack it during the contest that doesn't mean it is impossible to be done. Company Throws Down Gauntlet for Hackers