Cybersecurity

JavaScript Obfuscator Tool

A Javascript obfuscator tool transforms JavaScript source code into an obfuscated and unreadable representation that’s almost impossible to understand, misuse, copy, or modify without permission.

JavaScript obfuscation (a free JavaScript obfuscation e-book is available) and transformation prevent prying eyes from scrutinizing JavaScript applications, protecting them against client-side attacks.

Obfuscation of code is one of the several JavaScript obfuscation techniques used to transform easy-to-read code into a new version that is harder to understand and reverse-engineer, including for artificial intelligence, and the JavaScript obfuscator is the medium through which this JS technique occurs.

This technique enhances app hardening or security, including web application security, as JS obfuscation transforms exposed code into a modified version that is harder to reverse-engineer.

Therefore, Code Hardening protects the application from reverse engineering and automated or manual deobfuscation by making transformations more resilient and consecutively strengthening the application's integrity.

Why Would You Want to Obfuscate the JavaScript Code?

If you have enterprise applications or client-side JavaScript code worth protecting, there are numerous reasons why you must shield and defend your JavaScript applications.

JS obfuscation tools help make the code more difficult to understand and, eventually, no longer useful to a hacker, cybercriminal, or pirate without compromising the output of the program and application.

To be clear, you protect your JavaScript applications from code theft and tampering, but they remain fully functional. The obfuscator tool just makes an application much more difficult to reverse-engineer.

Reasons to obfuscate the JavaScript code:

  1. Protect against intellectual property theft. Simple copying and pasting won’t be possible anymore. Obfuscation hinders reverse engineering attempts by transforming the code into a more complex form.

  2. Identify unauthorized access and enforce licenses. You can impede unauthorized usage and distribution of your software.

  3. Security enhancement. Useful to prevent malicious attacks, including code injection or tampering. It is more challenging for attackers to discover vulnerabilities and extract sensitive data.

  4. Discourage reverse-engineering of JS code. This disincentive applies to automated bots, as JavaScript obfuscation is a deterrent against automated attacks.

  5. Debug protection. Essential if you don't want people to see what's going on with JavaScript.


JavaScript, often called JS, is one of the core programming languages of the World Wide Web, alongside CSS and HTML.

JavaScript is everywhere, as over 90% of websites use JavaScript on the client side for webpage behavior. Consequently, these websites often incorporate third-party libraries.

Being so popular carries risks, especially considering that JavaScript requires an interpreter in the browser to read, interpret, and run it. Anyone can use a browser debugger to quickly go through the JS code and read or modify it.

How do You Obfuscate JavaScript?

Methods and approaches to obfuscate JavaScript

An obfuscator tool converts source code into an arduous program to read and understand without altering program execution. And this is one of the possible approaches to protecting your JavaScript application.

There are other options, including:

  1. Encrypting. 

  2. Stripping out potentially revealing metadata.

  3. Replacing class and variable names with meaningless labels.


The most common JavaScript obfuscation techniques are:

  1. Reordering

  2. Encoding

  3. Splitting

  4. Renaming; and 

  5. Logic concealing.


Understanding each technique in depth is out of the scope of this guide, but their names are already self-explanatory.

The decision to use JavaScript obfuscation tools should rely on a thorough assessment of your specific security needs, the nature of your enterprise application, and the potential trade-offs involved.

JavaScript obfuscation is not a foolproof solution. Thus, it should be part of a comprehensive security approach that provides client-side security with multiple layers.

Jscrambler makes your code resilient to tampering and prevents interference from third-party code. Protect every website component, from code to runtime. Explore our client-side security platform.

Examples of Code Injection Attacks

Code Injection in npm Packages

In 2018, a popular npm package called "event-stream" was compromised. An attacker injected malicious code into the package's dependencies, targeting specific applications using the package. This attack aimed to steal cryptocurrency from targeted wallets.


AngularJS Sandbox Escape Vulnerabilities

AngularJS is a popular JavaScript framework. This framework has several vulnerabilities for code injection. These fragilities allowed attackers to bypass AngularJS's built-in protections and inject and execute malicious code.


MongoDB JavaScript Injection Attacks

These attacks involved injecting JavaScript code into MongoDB queries, exploiting insecure input validation, and query construction. Attackers could manipulate queries, bypass access controls, and extract or modify sensitive data.

How Jscrambler Protects Your JavaScript Apps

As security starts at your screen, we offer various features, including code obfuscation, code transformation, and self-defense capabilities.

Jscrambler protects your JavaScript from code theft, abuse, and tampering.

The Code Integrity solution is the industry's most mature solution to protect your application's code. It provides multiple layers of security to harden your code. It automatically and transparently rewrites all your code during the build phase and installs static and runtime defenses to prevent reverse engineering and code tampering.

Jscrambler's code integrity product focuses on protecting JavaScript applications from tampering and ensuring the integrity of the code. It can be a good option for obfuscating a JavaScript application, especially if code integrity is a critical concern for your company.

Here are some reasons why Jscrambler might be worth considering:

Reason 1: Comprehensive Protection

Jscrambler provides obfuscation techniques beyond simple variable renamings, such as function and class name mangling, string obfuscation, code flattening, and dead code injection.


Reason 2: Code Integrity and Tampering Protection

Code integrity features protect against tampering attempts. It adds runtime checks and self-defending mechanisms to your JavaScript code, making it more resistant to modification or manipulation.


Reason 3: Customization and Control 

Customization and control options allow you to choose which parts of your code to obfuscate and apply specific transformations.


Reason 4: Continuous Updates and Support

We actively maintain and update our obfuscation techniques to stay ahead of new reverse engineering and code analysis methods. The Codi Integrity solution is in version 8.0, and we are already developing new upgrades.


Reason 5: Integration and Compatibility

We are compatible with all browsers, JavaScript, mobile and hybrid frameworks, and libraries. We regularly perform compatibility tests to ensure that Jscrambler integration occurs without issues.

How Jcrambler can help you

Protect the client side of your application

Recommended to read next

Cybersecurity

Man-in-The-Browser (MiTB) attacks

Man-in-the-browser or “Adversary-in-the-browser” refers to a cyberattack method that involves a malicious actor secretly tapping into a user's browser to access their private information.

5 min read

Read More
Cybersecurity Web Security

Magecart Attack

Magecart attack refers to a collective of cybercriminal groups that inject digital credit card skimmers on e-commerce and payment websites.

3 min read

Read More