C Source code Obfuscation using Hash Function and Encryption Algorithm

Abstract

Obfuscation is a technique for transforming program code into a different form that is more difficult to understand. Several obfuscation methods are used to obfuscate source code, including dead code insertion, code transposition, and string encryption. In this research, the development of an obfuscator that can work on C language source code uses the code transposition method, namely randomizing the arrangement of lines of code with a hash function and then using the DES encryption algorithm to hide the parameters of the hash function so that it is increasingly difficult to find the original format. This obfuscator is specifically used to maintain the security of source code in C language from plagiarism and piracy. In order to evaluate this obfuscator, nine respondents who understand the C programming language were asked to deobfuscate the obfuscated source code manually. Then the percentage of correctness and the average time needed to perform the manual deobfuscation are observed. The evaluation results show that the obfuscator effectively maintains security and complicates the source code analysis.