IonCube Copy Protection and Hack Resistance

AShop program files are compiled using IonCube. IonCube encoding protects copyrighted source code from piracy and at the same time adds an extra layer of security by keeping hackers in the dark about the source code. IonCube encoded files run faster than open source PHP on some servers.

IonCube provides run time loaders for most operating systems and versions of PHP. The correct run time loader must be present or the loader must be added to PHP on the server in order for the compiled scripts to run. In most cases, our software will get the correct loader automatically and copy it to the local AShop Deluxe installation.

AShop Pre-Installation Test
The pre-installation ashoptest.php script checks and reports the status of the server configuration as it relates to AShop. It also checks the operating system version, automatically gets the correct IonCube loader from ashopsoftware.com and uploads the file to the ioncube directory within the new installation. The ashoptest.php script then checks to see if IonCube decryption is working.

IonCube Troubleshooting
Run ashoptest.php first to see if the AShop Software requirements are met on the server.

If all of the requirements are met and the IonCube decryption is still not working, make sure that there is an ioncube loader file in the ioncube directory. The file should have a name that indicates what type and version the operating system is.

If the ioncube loader file is not there at all, make sure that the ioncube directory permissions are 777, reset them if necessary and run the ashoptest.php script again. Note that if the fsocket-open function is failing in the ashoptest.php script, the ioncube loader file will not be uploaded and also the license registration will not work.

The ioncube loader file should have a file size of about .15 MB or more. If there is trouble with the fsocket-open or other server configuration issues, the file might only partially upload. In this case the file may appear (with a small file size) and still not work. The ashoptest.php script will not overwrite the ioncube loader file if it is for the correct operating system and version even if it is corrupted. If this occurs, delete the corrupted ioncube loader file and run ashoptest.php again.

If the ioncube directory permissions are 777 and the ashoptest.php script passes all requirements and the ioncube loader file still does not upload correctly to the ioncube directory, you can manually upload the correct ioncube loader file for your server. The ioncube loader files may be downloaded from IonCube.com. Note that the files must be transferred in binary mode. If there is any question about it, check the FTP upload parameters and upload the ioncube loader file(s) again. The version of PHP that is running on your server can be be determined by running phpinfo.php, which is included with the AShop program files.

Note: AShop automatically checks for newer versions of the ioncube loaders and uploads them to your installation if newer ones are available. If the ashoptest.php script cannot upload the ioncube loader files, then there is most likely a configuration issue on the server, which will prevent the program from automatically updating in the future. If this is the case, when the version of PHP is updated on the server, a new ioncube loader file may need to be manually uploaded again.

Optional PHP Configuration Method
If you have access to php.ini, you can add one line, which will eliminate the need for run time loaders. Download the loader package from IonCube.com for details.

See also: IonCube Loader FAQs.

Technical Support
If you still have trouble getting the compiled files to work on your server or hosting service and you don't want to move to a different server, we will troubleshoot the configuration on the server for a fee of $50. Root access or cooperation from the hosting service may be required. For this and other services, submit a technical service request.

AShop Web Hosting services guarantee 100% compatibility with AShop Software and IonCube encoding.