IonCube is a tool designed to give developers a security tool to protect codes written in the PHP language. It encrypts PHP files and protects the code from being viewed, edited, or used on unlicensed terminals. It works by compiling a bytecode before encoding, thus eliminating the source code and reducing runtime overheads.

The IonCube Loader extension is responsible for reading and executing encoded files during runtime.

How To Install IonCube Loader On Windows XAMPP

1. Download loader-wizard.php (PHP5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 7.0)

Ioncube provides a setup wizard that is very convenient to help detect the PHP environment and automatically give tips.

1.1. Download loader-wizard from http://www.ioncube.com/loader-wizard/loader-wizard.zip

1.2 After downloading, extract it to the WWW or HtDocs directory of Apache.

2. Run loader-wizard.php

2.1. Use a browser to open the loader-wizard.php. For example, in the address bar, enter http://localhost/loader-wizard.php. Change it to the path according to the actual situation.

2.2. The loader will automatically give instructions after loading. The screenshot below is just an example, and you have to follow the instructions shown on your website when visiting the localhost loader-wizard.php.

Usually, the instructions will go like this:

2.2.1 Download the corresponding decryption software according to the tips given by the installation wizard.

2.2.2. Place the downloaded decryption software in the IonCube folder.

2.2.3. Download the new PHP.ini file generated by the wizard and replace the original php.ini file. (Note: If you are prompted to download and save a file, the name of which starts with 00-ioncube. Download it and copy the code of the file to the very beginning of php.ini. Then save the file as php.ini. Do NOT copy the 00-ioncube file to your server.)

2.2.4. Restart Apache.

2.3. Check whether the installation is successful
Restart Apache and access the loader.php again. If the installation is successful, it will show as below.

If you see this page, the IonCube Loader installation has been successful.

How To Install IonCube Loader On Mac

1. Go to http://www.ioncube.com/loaders.php. Download the tar, tar.bz2, or zip package for OS X versions. Select whether you need the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the file.

2. Decompress the downloaded file in the preferred directory.

3. Find out the PHP file version on your computer by entering the command line: $ php -v.

The details on your PHP version should appear.

4. Copy the ioncube_loader_dar_5.4.so file from the extracted folder to the PHP extension library. Enter this line of code on the command line:

sudo cp ~/download/ioncube/ioncube_loader_dar_5.4.so /usr/lib/php/extensions/no-debug-non-zts-20100525/

5. Find the php.ini by running this code on the command line:

php -i | grep "php.ini"

6. Open the /etc/php.ini or wherever your php.ini file resides in the selected directory. Use this command line to do the action:

zend_extension=/usr/lib/php/extensions/no-debug-non-zts-20100525/ioncube_loader_dar_5.4.so

7. Restart Apache by entering this command line:

sudo /usr/sbin/apachectl restart

8. Check the version of your php.ini again using the ‘php -v’ command line. You should see that the IonCube Loader for Mac has been installed on the computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the IonCube Loader free?

Yes, you can install the IonCube Loader on Windows XAMPP and IonCube Loader for Mac for free. Download the latest IonCube Loader version on the IonCube website to get updates on bugs, fixes, and patches.

Is it hard to install the IonCube Loader?

It’s relatively easy, but we recommend that you use the localhost loader wizard PHP to guide you during the installation process.

How do I get my MAC address?

Here are the command line codes you can use to get your MAC address:
- Windows: ipconfig /all, or winipcfg
- Linux and some Unix: ifconfig -a
- Mac with Open Transport: TCP/IP Control Panel - Info or User Mode/Advanced
- Mac with MacTCP: TCP/IP Control Panel - Ethernet icon

If you’re unable to access the server but the IonCube Loader is installed, you can run the following script.

<?php
echo ioncube_server_data();

The file cannot be decoded by this version of the IonCube Loader. What should I do?

Older versions of the IonCube Loader cannot process the newer type of encoded file. Update the Loader or request your hosting provider to do this to get the latest version of the tool.

I’m getting an error message about the wrong ELF class. What should I do?

Using a 32-bit Loader on a 64-bit processor or vice versa will generate this error. Make sure you install the IonCube Loader for Windows XAMPP that matches your system architecture to avoid this error. The Loader Wizard can help detect the correct package for you.

A website says I need to install Loaders. What do I need to do?

The website did not properly install the IonCube Loader on Windows XAMPP. You don’t have to do anything if it’s not your website. However, if it’s your website, you need to set up the IonCube Loader. Use the Loader Wizard for a faster and hassle-free installation.

Does ZenTao require IonCube installation?

IonCube installation isn’t required if you’re using the open-source version of ZenTao. However, it is required if you need to use a paid plugin in ZenTao. Also, ZenTao Pro and Enterprise are encrypted by IonCube, so you have to install IonCube when using the paid versions of the project management tool.

How do I verify that I edited the correct PHP script?

Load a phpinfo page and note the path for the "Configuration file". This is the main php.ini file that must be edited. Create the file in the appropriate directory in case it doesn’t exist.

Additional Tips When Installing IonCube Loader

Make sure that you only have one Loader configured in the php.ini file.

Use "zend_extension =" and not "extension =" as the Loader is not a module extension.

Remember to restart the web server after updating the php.ini file. It will take a few page access before the changes are picked up by Fast CGI systems.