Re: Code protection in PIC
I wouldn't worry about it. No security measure is
100% effective, but getting the code out of a PIC
is not something someone can easily do on their
kitchen table. There are ways to access the CP
bits by getting down to the die using various means
(such as using fuming nitric acid to eat through the
plastic IC package).
You have to ask yourself how badly one wants to
access your code. If it is just a hobbyist, don't worry
too much. If it's a government with unlimited funds,
start worrying.
I tried to find my old bookmarks on the subject, but
couldn't find them. There are companies, mostly in
eastern Europe, that claim to be able to extract the
code from any PIC. This was a few years ago, but I
seem to recall that the cost was something like
$13000 or $17000. If it's that expensive, anyone
who wants your code might as well just hire a good
programmer/engineer to reverse-engineer your
product.
One last example - look at the Basic Stamp products.
They've been around for over a decade, and have their
firmware running on OTP PIC microcontrollers. Have you
ever seen anyone release the firmware (so one could
make their own BS modules)?
Nick