This article describes how to install ionCube loader extension in PHP. ionCube provides tools for PHP source code protection. Usually, a PHP file is in plain-text format. Which means anyone who has access to the actual PHP file can use a text editor (like vim) to view the source code.
If a skilled hacker/programmer gets access to the entire PHP source code, then it would allow him/her to find vulnerabilities which can be used to launch attack on website(s) or web server(s).
It was this reason which led to the web industry search for an encoding engine that is capable of translating source code to efficient bytecodes, and one of the best solution today is ionCube loader. ionCube encoding tools deliver the ideal combination of maximum source code protection without sacrificing performance, reliability or language compatibility.
By default, PHP is unable to parse files encoded using ionCube. In order to do so, you have to install ionCube loader extension in PHP. This is how it is done:
1. Download ionCube loader from ioncube.com
wget http://downloads2.ioncube.com/loader_downloads/ ioncube_loaders_lin_x86.tar.gz
2. Extract the tar.gz file
tar zxvf ioncube_loaders_lin_x86.tar.gz
3. Change to directory ‘ioncube’ and copy over the file ioncube-install-assistant.php to a web directory such as your hosting directory
cd ioncube/
cp ioncube-install-assistant.php /home/userdirectoryhere/public_html/
4. Then open it http://www.yourdomain.com/ioncube-install-assistant.php.
The output should be something similar to:
Analysis of your system configuration shows:
PHP Version 4.3.3
Operating System Linux
Threaded PHP No
php.ini file /usr/local/lib/php.ini
Required Loader ioncube_loader_lin_4.3.so
5. Now move the iconcube directory to a permanent location:
cd ../
mv ioncube /usr/local
6. Now that you know the location of php.ini you need to edit it.
pico /usr/local/lib/php.ini
Now find where other zend extentions are in the file.
ctrl + w: zend_extension
Paste in your new line for ioncube loader
zend_extension = /usr/local/ioncube/ioncube_loader_lin_4.3.so
7. Save the changes
ctrl + X then Y and enter
8. Restart the web server to take effect.
/etc/init.d/httpd restart
Now, create a new document named phpinfo.php. The file should contain the below lines:
phpinfo();
?>
Place this document in your www directory and open it from your web browser by pointing to http://www.yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php. You should now see ionCube loader listed in it (search for the string ‘ioncube’).
That’s it! 🙂
Hi, gr8 post thanks for posting. Information is useful!
I really like your post. Does it copyright protected?
Errr.. no. You are free to use the article on any of your websites. I would however appreciate if you mention technomenace.com anywhere in it, but that is optional 😉
Hello. I think the article is really interesting. I am even interested in reading more. How soon will you update your blog?
Hello Gary, Thanks for the comment. Work keeps me busy but I try to update the blog as much as possible, and if there are any specific areas you need some articles on, please let me know!