Looking for Recommendations Obfuscation Tools

[Trader146]

Hello everyone,

I have an indicator I’d like to offer for sale, but I’m new to obfuscation and want to keep my code from being easily accessed. I’ve tried using .NET Reactor with various settings but keep getting the same error every time, no matter what I do (see below). I reached out to their support but haven’t received a response yet.

I see that NinjaTrader’s export tool integrates Agile.NET. Does it work well in practice? A developer I know mentioned that his Agile.NET-protected indicator was still cracked, so I’m wondering if there’s a better route or any recommended best practices.

I understand there’s no way to fully prevent a determined individual from reverse-engineering code, but I would like to make it difficult enough to not be worthwhile. Any suggestions or experiences with obfuscation tools (or alternative approaches) would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance.

.NET Reactor error:

Unable to create instance of NinjaScript 'NinjaTrader.NinjaScript.lndicators.TradeManager01 9. Most likely either the implementation no longer exists, there is no default constructor defined, the default constructor does not work correctly, or the 'OnStateChange' implementation for State=SetDefaults is flawed: The type initializer of '<Module>' threw an exception.

[halgo_boulder]

NT8 has built in compiler tools so you can turn your indicator into a .dll.
No obfuscation needed.
Contact support about it.

[NinjaTrader_Jesse]

Hello Trader146,

Agile.net is the only supported tool to be used with NinjaTrader that includes optimizations so the resulting dll can load in the platform and also be backwards compatible. External tools in general won't be able to use the resulting assembly or read it correctly.

https://developer.ninjatrader.com/docs/desktop/protection_dll_security

[Trader146]

Hello Trader146,

Agile.net is the only supported tool to be used with NinjaTrader that includes optimizations so the resulting dll can load in the platform and also be backwards compatible. External tools in general won't be able to use the resulting assembly or read it correctly.

https://developer.ninjatrader.com/do...n_dll_security

What do you mean when you say “External tools in general won't be able to use the resulting assembly or read it correctly.“? Are you saying that agile protected DLL’s can’t be cracked? Have developers had good results with agile?

[NinjaTrader_Jesse]

Hello Trader146,

I was referring to the error you posted, if you try to open the dll to read it in other tools it will generate errors. The same applies to other obfuscators used, if you try to load it in NinjaTrader it very likely will not work.

[Trader146]

Ok, I puchased Agile.NET and installed it. And while I can load an assembly that was "protected" during the export, I am still able to read most of the code, including my licensing info, with dnspy. I had it checked with AI tools and was told it was minimally protected. I was recommended that I used the stand along Agile application to protect my dll. But, no matter the settings, it will not load into NT8. On the first attempt, I was able to load the assembly, but when I tried to run it, that got the error in the first screenshot. I removed that assembly and tried one created with just String Encryption, and got the second error. It would not even import.

What is the recommended method for using Agile? Support has not responded yet.

[NinjaTrader_Jesse]

Hello Trader146,

While we cannot comment on external tools agile.net is the only supported means of protecting code through NinjaTrader