10.2. General Best Practices

Please carefully read the list below. Not only will this bring you better obfuscation results, but this will also help you to avoid possible pitfalls.

• Use minimal but feasible visibility of the classes and their members
• Avoid using System.Runtime.CompilerServices.InternalsVisibleToAttribute attribute for production assemblies
• Use CLSCompliantAttribute(true) to mark CLS-compliant assemblies. If you produce library or component which can be used by your customers then you should mark the assembly as CLS-compliant to ensure successful interoperability. Eazfuscator.NET internally uses the value of CLSCompliantAttribute to make a decision on the level of obfuscation to apply. Eazfuscator.NET turns off all CLS-incompatible obfuscation features when the input assembly is marked as CLS-compliant
• Try to keep a reasonably small number of assemblies in your product. It leads to a greater code integration inside one assembly; thus, it is harder to deduct the logic contained inside the assembly. Assembly number reduction can be achieved at the application design phase. Alternatively, assemblies merging feature can be used for that purpose
• Use symbol encryption in production releases of your product. It allows you to decode error stack traces and log files
• It is highly recommended to sign your assemblies with a strong name. The signed assemblies are better protected against integrity violations
• It is highly recommended to use resource encryption to hide assembly resources from prying eyes
• Please consider to virtualize the methods that you want to hide by any means possible
• Test your product after obfuscation

Additional for Visual Basic .NET

• It is highly recommended to use Option Strict On to achieve good obfuscation results and avoid common problems. Alternatively, you may use a compatibility mode to workaround possible issues