Decompilation of trading robots for MetaTrader

In this article, I will explain in detail what is decompilation, compilation, source code, executable file and how online fraud is related to decompilation. Recently, cases have become more frequent whenfraudsters send spam with an offer to decompilea trading robot for a small amount. We also receive emails from traders asking us to decompile the code and make changes to it. Before we begin to understand the concept of decompilation and its purpose, it is important to delve into the definitions of the terms "compilation", "decompilation", "source code" and "executable file".

What is program compilation?

Program compilation is the process of converting a program's source code, written by humans, into machine-readable code that can be executed by a computer's processor. In simple words, the code that was written by a human programmer, a special program “Compiler”, is translated into code that will be understood by the computer processor. If the code written by a person can look like this: if(total >= 0), then the code translated by the compiler can look like this: 0100111010110111010101. By the way, here is the binary representation of the word Hello = 01001000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111;

What is decompilation?

Decompilation is the process of recreating the source code of a program in a programming language using a special tool - a decompiler. In simple words, the code of which may look like this: 0100111010110111010101 is translated into code which may look like this: if(total >= 0). To translate machine-binary code, re-engineering decompilers programs are used. It is important to note that decompilation often involves legal issues, as it may violate copyrights and licensing agreements. Therefore, before using decompilation, you should carefully review the relevant laws and regulations.

What is the source code of the program?

Program source code is the text of a computer program written in a programming language that can be read and understood by humans. Source code may include resource files, such as images and other data needed to build the program. It is important to note that the computer processor cannot execute instructions and source code of the program.

What is an executable file?

An executable file is a set of instructions that contains instructions for the computer processor. The executable file is not readable or understandable to humans.

Why is code decompilation needed?

In the field of trading, code decompilation is most often used for indicators and trading robots. In most cases, thegoal of decompilationis to create a pirated version of the application. Upon successful decompilation of a trading robot, the code that verifies the license is removed from the robot. Less often, I use decompilation for trading robots and indicators in order to understand or edit the logic of the trading robot.

How to distinguish source code from an executable file?

In MetaTrader terminals for indicators, trading robots, and advisors, there is a special designation for applications that have source code.
For MetaTrader 4 terminals, source code files have the extension .mq4, and for MetaTrader 5 terminals .mq5
For MetaTrader 4 terminals, executable files have the extension .ex4, and for MetaTrader 5 terminals .ex5
In the MetaTrader terminal navigator, applications with source code are marked in bright color, and executable files in gray.

The reality and myths of decompiling trading robots.

The developers of MetaTrader trading terminals work tirelessly to improve their products, regularly releasing updates for the programs. At the time of writing this article, MetaTrader 4 has reached build 1126, which indicates 1126 versions of the terminal with updates. MetaTrader 5, in turn, has reached version 4468. As part of these updates, all aspects of the terminals are being modernized, including their security.

Before build 600, around 2014, it was possible to use a decompiler to open program files with the .ex4 extension in the MetaTrader 4 trading terminal. An unknown programmer created a program capable of decompiling trading robots, indicators and scripts for MetaTrader 4. This program was sold on the Internet for $890, but subsequently other programmers were able to decompile the decompiler and make it publicly available. Thus, a person who tried to make money by selling a decompilerhimself suffered from the same scammers.

With build 600, MetaTrader developers made changes to the protection of compiled programs, and in subsequent builds it was significantly strengthened. From 2014 to the present, not a single case of successful decompilation of trading robots, indicators or scripts has been recorded. It is impossible to hack, open or read the compiled file for the MetaTrader terminal.

MetaTrader decompilation scam.

Dear traders, both beginners and professionals, at the moment it is not possible to decompile programs for MetaTrader trading terminals. Any offers to hack or decompile the code are fraudulent. In the best case, they will send you the decompiled code of a completely different advisor, written before build 600. We strongly do not recommend paying for decompilation services, as you risk not only losing money for paying for hacking the program, but you can also lose your entire deposit using the hacked code, and also get your account blocked in the Mql5 market.< /p>

License bypass using DLLs

Recently, cases of bypassing the license through the use of DLL libraries have become more frequent. A DLL library can contain any program code, including miners, programs for obtaining payment information, as well as stealing logins and passwords from various Internet resources. Using third-party DLLs is extremely dangerous, since you yourself are running a virus on your computer. At the moment, many cases have been recorded when all information about the computer user is transferred to DLL libraries. Unfortunately, not all anti-virus programs can identify such libraries as malicious.

I hope this article was useful to you and you will not become a victim of scammers, and also do not waste your time and money on attempts to decompile programs