How reliable is code protection in PIC?

[bimbla]

basic stamp reverse-engineer code

How reliable is the code protection in PIC?
For professional/ commercial applications, can we depend on this feature to safeguard our IP? If not, what are the other recommended methods?

If the methods one would employ to read/ reverse engineer the code is highlighted, I am sure we can come up with something solid.

Thanks and regards.

bimbla.

 

[manu]

Re: Code protection in PIC

Hi,

You always have the mean to clear cp, by winpicprog, or software for AN589 programmer, so, i think none method could be 100% reliable, but each method have its efficacity ;-)

Regards,

 

[bimbla]

Re: Code protection in PIC

Does clearing the CP also wipe the residing code or does it make it readable?

Thanks in advance.

bimbla.

 

[Zedman]

Re: Code protection in PIC

Hi bimbla

Datasheet says:

"Code protection bits may only be written to
a ‘0’ from a ‘1’ state. It is not possible to
write a ‘1’ to a bit in the ‘0’ state. Code protection
bits are only set to ‘1’ by a full chip
erase or block erase function. The full chip
erase and block erase functions can only
be initiated via ICSP or an external
programmer."

I wonder how the mentoined sw-s can disable the
code protection bit without erasing all the code...
But if it would be true and it can be readed out than it
should be a serious bug...

There was a thread regarding the code protection in the
PICs in edaboard (search), there was a strange guy
who (at least he said) listened out the code from a
protected device with a small inductor and a Logic
Analyser (as i understand) when the PIC copying the
code from it's eeprom to it's internal RAM...
I think it can be done but need a lot of time and patience...

I think it's reliable enough for small business uses.
(Tell me if iam lame / wrong.)

Zed

 

[tgq]

Code protection in PIC

hi
all PICs have not the same CP security. the older the PIC and is the worse CP security is.

 

[bimbla]

Re: Code protection in PIC

I think I have my answer.
NO, it cannot be read back. I will not listen to boogey man's story.
I will however have all respect to what is said in the datasheet.

Thanks all for your views.

bimbla.

 

[Nick C.]

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

 

[mitesh]

Re: Code protection in PIC

Once i tried it on PIC16F84 but failed. Is there any method to unlock code protection to read hex code from it.

 

[pvinbox@yahoo.com]

Re: Code protection in PIC

hai

code protection is unbreakable
we can erase the bulk memory
but we cannot read the hex code inside
when the code is protected

 

[defnfo]

Re: Code protection in PIC

i see same russian sites, they sell method of unlocking of code protection for pic 16c84 and pic16f84 but this method dont work with pic16f84a
newer pics is better by code protection

 

[meax98]

Re: Code protection in PIC

I use at my home, russian programmer "PicProg" made by Telesystem. This programmer, with software PicProg for Windows beta 7 and firmware v3.7 can read PIC16x84 w/ CP bit set. Sometimes it burns PIC, but very rare. I did try with PIC16x84A, but without any success.

So, it is possible.

meax98

 

[Leosedf]

Re: Code protection in PIC

look at www.semiresearch.com

 

[petarpav]

Code protection in PIC

Hi. The Pic is 100% protected only you burn out RB6 or RB7 pin on pic.

Best Regards.

 

[UroBoros]

Re: Code protection in PIC

Hai

So this much is all about the so proclaimed " Emerging technology of Code protection" of PIC and all.

Let us relax and do the coding.

PIcstudent