How do you hide secret keys in code?

Question

I\'ve wondered for some time how some software hides secret keys in such a way that they can\'t be trivially discovered. Just a few examples:

• DVD Player Softwa

Answer 1

When we started developing our software, we've created a dated license file. Then, we realized, that not too many people are even interested in buying our software. Then, we decided to give it away for free. A lot more people started to care at least trying our masterpiece. Finally, we've open sourced our software. A lot more users started using it. Now we just hope that a small number of these users might turn into paying customers (i.e. buying prod. support or asking for customization).

The bottom line is, if someone wants to crack your software, he/she'll do it anyway. Is it really worth it to waste your time trying to protect it with this hidden secret key?