SWF decomplation and protection tools
It is not big secret that complied Flash/Flex programs can be easy decompiled. All your program resources like images, icons, waves, fonts and even Action Script source code can be extracted from your program by using SWF decompiler tools.
My favorite decomplier tool is Sothink Decompiler. It costs ~80USD and it is very useful if you want see how particular program is composed, what libraries they are using and moreover you can see some new ideas.
In following example I was curious how guys from Adobe solved problem with loading plugin modules in Adobe Enterprise Cafe application.
Do not get me wrong, I am not trying to steal their code. For me enough is reading code and get some ideas. After 3 years practice development in ActionScript I am still learning how to effectively use it. Just why invent the wheel again when you can just need some advice. The major problem with new language is finding complicated example and learn from professional code.
Does it mean all your work can be steal? No. Fortunately there is a remedy. If you really want to protect your source code you need to use protection tools. I am using SWF Protector for all programs which need to be protected. Personal edition costs ~40 USD.
Simple demonstration how easy you can protect SWF programs is below.
The result is this same program as you have on beginning with one difference. No one can read your code anymore.
In fact, when I tried to use Softink Decompiler again the tool was not able to read protected swf file.