Anti-Forensics as a Countermeasure to Software Piracy and Reverse Engineering

The ability to protect computer software against malicious attacks originating from an equal or greater privilege level remains exceedingly difficult even in "best case" operational scenarios. During situations such as this, the predominant tools for thwarting reverse-engineering and piracy efforts involve obfuscation, deception, misdirection, and functional compartmentalization. Anti-Forensics is the art and practice of obscuring data storage, transmission, and execution in such a way that it remains hidden from even a professional, dedicated examiner. Traditionally, Anti-Forensic techniques have been used by hackers and other blackhat types to keep their offensive tools hidden from forensic investigators. Anti-Forensic methodologies, however, can also be adopted for defensive purposes. In particular, Anti-Forensic techniques have the ability to greatly increase the level of effort required to reverse-engineer a software protection scheme. Pikewerks proposes to examine and implement methods and mechanisms to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of executable code, data, and cryptographic materials through all stages of operation: at rest, in transit, and during execution. This research and development effort will be performed in conjunction with Luna Innovations.