Dinkey Pro/FD SDK Version History

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See detailed update notes, with full details of important changes that may require you to alter the way you add protection and/or distribute your protected software.

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Version 7.5
Release 1
- DinkeyRemote API is now thread-safe.
- macOS and Linux - fixed very rare race condition calling DinkeyAdd, DinkeyChange and runtime protection APIs from multithreaded code.
Release 0
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Read more about changes you may need to make.
- Added support for Linux on ARM systems. Aarch32 and Aarch64 are both supported.
- Added Linux Shell protection for binaries and shared libraries on x86 and x86-64 platforms.
- macOS SDK - now 64-bit only and supports OS X 10.10 Yosemite and newer, including macOS 10.15 Catalina. 32-bit files and files for older versions are available on request.
- macOS SDK - added DinkeyAdd and DinkeyRemote GUI applications.
- macOS SDK - API libraries updated to meet Hardened Runtime and notarization requirements.
- DinkeyAdd - fixed issue that caused error 493 protecting applications built with XCode 11.
- DinkeyAdd for Windows - 64-bit DinkeyAdd library now supports Shell-protecting .NET assemblies.
- Windows Shell protection - increased control of extra anti-piracy protection feature for native EXEs and DLLs.
- .NET Shell protection - added support for assemblies that target .NET Core 3.0 and newer on Windows.
- .NET Shell protection - fixed issue protecting classes that implement their own
Equals()
and/orGetHashCode()
methods.
Version 7.4
Release 0
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Read more about changes you may need to make.
- Implemented Demo Software Keys: 'virtual dongles' that can be used in place of a physical Dinkey Pro or Dinkey FD device for evaluation copies of your protected software.
- Shell protection - Lock Dongle to Computer feature now works correctly for Shell-protected DLLs.
- Shell protection - other performance improvements and minor bug fixes.
- Improvements to machine ID calculation for Lock Dongle to Computer feature and software keys.
- DinkeyAdd - GUI now allows disabling extra anti-debugging and anti-piracy protections added in version 7.3.0. It may be necessary to disable either of these in rare cases.
- Linux DinkeyAdd and DinkeyRemote - front-end programs now search more intelligently for back-end libraries.
- Runtime - fixed bug with evaluating very complex algorithms with nested composite variables.
Version 7.3
Release 0
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Read more about changes you may need to make.
- Shell protection - added extra anti-debugging technologies.
- Shell protection - improved runtime decryption of Shell-protected code.
- DinkeyAdd - now supports DAPF files in JSON format as well as the existing binary format. DinkeyAdd API updated to support reading and writing JSON DAPF files. DinkeyAddCmd has a new command-line option for converting DAPF files between JSON and binary formats.
- DinkeyRemote - now supports DRPF files in JSON format as well as the existing binary format. DinkeyRemote API updated to support reading and writing JSON DRPF files. DinkeyRemoteCmd has a new command-line option for converting DRPF files between JSON and binary formats.
- DinkeyServer for Linux - improvements to auto-detection of DinkeyServer by protected software.
- Runtime code - fixed issues with 'lock dongle to computer' feature on Windows 10 and macOS.
- .NET Shell protection - improved memory management at runtime.
Version 7.2
Release 0
- DinkeyAdd and DinkeyRemote - these tools are now split into 3 parts: GUI front end, command-line front end and back-end library.
- DinkeyAdd and DinkeyRemote - command-line programs and libraries now available for macOS and Linux.
- DinkeyServer - fixed issue under macOS Yosemite and newer where the viewer could crash displaying network users.
- Windows GUI programs now resize correctly under different DPI settings.
- PDF protection - text search functionality added to protected PDFs.
- OS X runtime - fixed leak of Mach ports that could cause problems if checking the dongle frequently.
- Runtime protection API - implemented
DONT_RETURN_FD_DRIVE
API flag. - Runtime protection API - added support for 64-bit Filemaker.
- Runtime code - fixed issue with network users and spawning child processes. Previously, if a child process inherited handles from the parent, it could prevent the network user being freed correctly when the parent process terminated.
- Shell protection for native DLLs - if the shell starts a network user, the user is now freed when the DLL is unloaded. Previously the user was not freed until the calling process terminated.
- DinkeyWeb - superceded by Smartsign, deprecated and removed from the SDK. DinkeyWeb 7.2.0 files are available on request: contact our support team to request these files.
Version 7.1
Release 1
- Runtime code - changes to support detection of the flash drive part of a Dinkey FD on macOS El Capitan. Prior to this release all Dinkey FD protection checks on El Capitan would return error 598.
- DinkeyAdd - fixed bug that caused "incorrect date format" error when creating temporary software keys on Windows 10.
- Runtime - fixed bug that caused error 952 "detected USB port sharing over network" on Linux (this feature is not supported on Linux).
Release 0
- DinkeyAdd can now protect (encrypt) data files that are accessed by your Shell-protected software.
- New DinkeyAdd advanced option - block 3rd-party products that allow a local dongle to be shared by multiple computers on the same network.
- New DinkeyAdd advanced option - specify whether protected software checks for a temporary software key if no dongle is present.
- New variable in shell messages - "%L" is replaced by the licence name of the Shell-protected file.
- New shell message - you can now customise the error message displayed when DinkeyServer cannot be found.
- DinkeyChange - fixed bug restoring FD Lite which could give error 461 in some circumstances.
- macOS runtime code now searches for dongles in a more efficient way.
- DinkeyChange API functions are now fully thread-safe.
- DinkeyAdd can now save to DAPF files that are backwards compatible with older versions of DinkeyAdd.
Version 7.0
Release 1
- Runtime - fixed bug which can cause runtime code to crash while checking a temporary software key.
- DinkeyChange, DinkeyAdd and runtime code - improved code to reduce the possibility of dongle memory corruption.
- DinkeyAdd - Shell protection now supports programs built with Delphi XE5 and XE6.
Release 0
- Implemented Temporary Software Key feature. A 'virtual dongle' can be used to temporarily replace a damaged, lost or stolen dongle.
- Added support for protecting PDF files. Protected documents can be viewed on Windows only.
- It is now possible to lock a dongle so that it can only be used with protected software on one specific computer.
- Improved the speed of a protection check if you encrypt DRIS structure.
- .NET Shell protection now preserves the "All CPU" setting, rather than converting to 32-bit only or 64-bit only files.
- Shell protection - can now protect Windows services or other processes that are run in non-interactive accounts.
- Runtime - fixed potential 731 errors on Linux if many threads in a process try to access the dongle simultaneously.
Version 6.2
Release 3
- DinkeyAdd - fixed potential problem with Shell protection (64-bit) with Net dongles giving error 585/10038.
- DinkeyAdd - Shell method can now protect COM objects and ActiveX controls.
- macOS SDK - fixed rare problem where dongle cannot be recognised by our software on certain setups.
- DinkeyAdd .NET Shell - can now sign protected programs.
- Runtime code updated to fix very rare sporadic 486/32 errors.
- DinkeyServer - fixed rare bug that could cause client protected software error 580 with FD Net dongles.
- DinkeyAdd .NET Shell - can now protect programs that use the async/await features.
Release 2
- .NET Shell protection now compatible with 64-bit .NET executables. Framework dependency reduced. Fixed some problems with programs running on .NET framework 4.5.
- Runtime API - added 64-bit static API library (object file) for Delphi.
- Debug API libraries now export function
DDGetNetUserList()
to prevent linker errors. The function is not implemented by these debug libraries.
Release 1
- Shell protection - now detect Windows 8 Store Apps and give appropriate error messages.
- Dinkey FD - fixed rare error 1 bug.
- Shell protection - fixed problem with programs written using C++ Builder XE3.
- Runtime API - added support for C++ Builder XE3.
Release 0
- Shell protection - updated. Now also protects 64-bit Windows executables and DLLs.
- Shell protection - can now customise "background check" message.
- .NET Shell protection - updated. Now encrypts the whole executable. DLLs can also be protected.
- DinkeyServer - now supported on macOS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or more recent.
- API libraries - implemented new function so the client can list the current network users.
- Linux SDK - 64-bit versions of DinkeyLook, DinkeyChange and DinkeyServer.
Version 6.1
Release 2
- macOS SDK - 64-bit API libraries now compatible with macOS 10.5 Leopard (previously it was 10.6 or higher).
- macOS SDK - implemented "calling program" feature for API libraries.
- macOS SDK - fixed bug so you can now call protection API and DinkeyChange API from same program.
- Windows SDK - fixed bug in API libraries that could cause crash.
- Improved Python sample and produced extension modules for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Cython sample code.
Release 1
- Runtime - increased efficiency of runtime protection check if not using expiry date.
- DinkeyChange - improved security regarding updating "max days".
- Ada and RealBasic sample code created.
Release 0
- 64-bit API libraries for macOS.
- 32-bit and 64-bit static API libraries (object files) for Windows and macOS (already available for Linux).
- 64-bit DinkeyWeb libraries for Windows and macOS (already available for Linux).
- Changed DinkeyAdd so it separates licence information in the dongle from programs that you want to protect (DRIS, DAPF and DRPF structures are changed as a result of this).
- PHP extensions (for protecting PHP source code) now part of the SDK.
- DinkeyChange now much more efficient when adding/deleting/modifying many licences in one code.
- Some bug fixes to 64-bit DinkeyChange libraries.
Version 6.0
Release 0
- DinkeyAdd - can now protect files using wildcards (e.g. *.*) so you can protect multiple files to one set of protection parameters.
- DinkeyAdd - can now specify "virtual files" so you can specify protection parameters for separate modules or features within your program.
- DinkeyWeb - now supports JSP code.
- DinkeyChange debug libraries for all supported platforms.
- AutoCAD sample now added for Windows (uses ActiveX DLL).
- Extra command line parameters for DinkeyAdd and DinkeyRemote to make calling these program from your own GUI easier.
- Sample code in C, C# and VB.NET to call DinkeyAdd and DinkeyRemote with DAPF and DRPF files.
- Bug fixes for Dinkey FD Lite under Windows and macOS.
- DinkeyServer - uses caching under certain conditions - much quicker if many network users are started at the same time.
- DinkeyServer - can now automatically configure Windows Firewall to allow incoming connections from protected software.
- Net dongles - correct use of alt_prog_name if starting network user.
Version 5.9
Release 0
- Fixed DinkeyAdd .NET Shell protection bug (if program uses anonymous types).
- Fixed DinkeyServer bug - may start a new network user for each protection check.
- Added 4D sample code and API libraries for Windows and macOS.
- macOS SDK released (Intel only).
- Windows .NET Shell protection is now compatible with .NET version 4.
- Runtime library thread safety improved.
- Python sample code.
- Runtime - fixed bug if using version 5.8.0 or higher API library and older version of the DRIS.
- Linux - DinkeyServer now released.
- DinkeyAdd - fixed problem with Shell protection on some Delphi executables (delay-loading DLLs).
Version 5.8
Release 0
- Added sample code for C++ Builder, Dev C++ and MinGW.
- Improved inst script for Debian Linux machines.
- Added Fortran sample code.
- Fixed bug in debug API libraries if writing/reading data or en(de)crypting data and using USE_FUNCTION_ARGUMENT.
- Linux SDK released with 32-bit and 64-bit API libraries (but not DinkeyServer).
- Runtime code - can now specify machine name in <PRODCODE>.ini instead of IP address when overriding DinkeyServer auto-detection.
- Added FoxPro sample code.
- DinkeyAdd - fixed bug in algorithm sample code (for VB6 and Delphi) generated by DinkeyAdd for encrypting DRIS.
Version 5.7
Release 0
- 64-bit libraries released for protection API and DinkeyChange.
- Sample code updated to work with 64-bit API libraries (C/C++/C#/Java/VB.NET).
- Added
MATCH_DONGLE_NUMBER
flag so it is possible to get protection information for more than one dongle.
Version 5.6
Release 1
- DinkeyWeb re-released with improved sample code.
- Runtime code - DinkeyServer auto-detection improved. Must update both DinkeyServer and runtime code.
- Runtime code - can use an INI file to manually specify location of DinkeyServer instead of using auto-detection.
- Shell protection expiry warning message now only displayed once per day.
- DinkeyChange - fixed bug if extending the data area from 0 bytes.
Release 0
- New Dinkey FD range now supported (also backwards compatible with old Dinkey FD range of dongles).
- Debug API libraries released for C/C++.
- Fixed bug in DinkeyAdd Shell options (switched the wrong way around).
- Shell background protection check messages improved.
Version 5.5
Release 1
- Fixed bug auto-detecting DinkeyServer on the network.
Release 0
- Dinkey Pro Net and Dinkey FD Net models now supported.
- Shell protection now has options for starting a network user and decrementing the execution counter.
- LabVIEW sample code.
- Fixed bug in Shell protection incorrectly displaying the warning days message.
- Fixed bug in Shell protection method which caused some programs to crash on startup.
Version 5.4
Release 2
- DinkeyAdd Shell protection - fixed bug which could cause the protected program to crash on startup.
- DinkeyAdd .NET Shell protection - fixed problem protecting .NET C++/CLI programs.
- DinkeyWeb now supports ASP.NET (VB.NET and C#).
Release 1
- Shell protection now compatible with .NET programs.
- DinkeyAdd - can specify data area size instead of providing a file.
Release 0
- Added support for using DinkeyChange functionality via an API.
- DinkeyWeb released for PHP.
- Fixed problem protecting Flash executables with the Shell method.
Version 5.3
Release 2
- Strongly encrypted update codes implemented for DinkeyRemote and DinkeyChange.
- DinkeyRemote - fixed issue saving data changes to DRPF file.
Release 1
- Shell protection now works with Visual Studio 2008 applications and Windows Vista.
- Improved PDF user manual and help files, including quick tour guide.
Release 0
- Dinkey Pro Plus and Dinkey FD Plus models now supported.
- FDService - now Dinkey FD can be accessed for users with restricted access rights under Windows 2000/XP.
- Runtime - can get drive letter of FD dongle flash disk.
- DinkeyRemote - strongly encrypted update codes are not supported yet.
Version 5.2
Release 1
- Shell protection method - empty message box no longer displayed if welcome message is blank.
Release 0
- Shell protection implemented for 32-bit programs.
- Added FileMaker plugin.
Version 5.1
Release 2
- Modified VB.NET, C# and VB sample code so you can properly extract strings from encrypted DRIS.
- DinkeyAdd - command line options implemented.
Release 1
- Fixed various bugs in earlier release.
Release 0
- First release. Supports Pro Lite and FD Lite dongles only. Windows only. No Shell protection method.
Version 5.0
- Beta release.