PHP Source Encryption - Effectiveness and Disadvantages

Question

I have some PHP source code that I\'m hosting with hosting company XYZ. I\'m using a PHP encryption software like Zend Guard or ionCube to protect the source from being view

Answer 1

Why exactly do you need to encrypt your source code? If you are sporting this as a safe-guard against potential hackers, then please believe when I say that if they really wanted to decrypt your source code, they would do it. It is possible with ionCube, last time I checked.

As far as performance impacts, I believe Zend is a tad bit faster than ionCube due to it not requiring any extra files. But like I said before, don't rely on encryption for anything.