If you are just about plugins and don't need WebKit functionality then leave it alone, it wouldn't do you any good. QPluginLoader is all you need. And unfortunately you have to agree that your users will be able to break the software, you just can't stop them from doing that - it's just a matter of time and effort to work around protections. The only thing you can do is provide scripting support instead of compiled plugins but even then someone can hook into your application and do almost whatever he desires.