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I'm having a question, maybe some other faced the same problem. Imagine you've build your own CMS and someone asks you to build a website for them. They give you FTP access to their hostingserver and you want to use your CMS for it. Is there a way to protect the source code of your CMS?

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There are obfuscation frameworks, but ultimately they can be hacked too. Obfuscation is more like a deterrent.

However, I wouldn't worry too much - there are many open-source CMSs out there so there would be little point getting at yours.

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Well, the customer, which gave the FTP access, can login on the FTP too, so he could just copy my complete CMS. Thats my question .. And for what I know; you can't set passwords on directories. –  User8889 Oct 25 '13 at 14:51
If you are really worried why don't you host it yourself? That is the best way of protecting your source. –  Joe R Oct 25 '13 at 14:53
If they are managing the server then you won't be able to protect your directories... –  Joe R Oct 25 '13 at 14:54
I understand that, but well, basically that's the situation now. Think I just need to trust them. –  User8889 Oct 25 '13 at 14:55
Yes, they are a customer so you should really. :) –  Joe R Oct 25 '13 at 15:10
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Depends on how CMS is written. If it's in PHP, then there's Zend and I heard (but didn't check) about some kind of PHP compilers.

If it's .NET or Java, then you ship compiled and obfuscated modules and don't include source code.

And also care that in 99,9% of cases your CMS has much more value for you than for your customer. I.e. with the myriad of open-source CMS on the market they have little sense to misuse yours.

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