View Full Version : Protecting pictures and Images
Hello All,
I have pictures I created, that I want to protect from people that may want to download them. I have tried setting the Attributes thru CuteFTP, and also creating folder permissions, but i can still download them from other comps, I seen people use Invisibility in scripts to stop the source from beinging taken, but any help on my picture would be appreciated.
Peace,
Ke0
JavaScript code that keeps people from right-clicking and saving an image on a web page is silly, because all I have to do is disable JavaScript in my browser to get around that. Not to mention the fact that the images are in my browser cache anyhow.
You can't have it both ways: put your images on the World Wide Web and also keep people from "downloading" them. You can hide them altogether with permissions (try 600). But in that case, what would have been the point of uploading them to begin with?
If you want to keep people from browsing your "/Images" folder, put a file named "index.html" in that folder that has no content.
Hi Ke0
If I can add a bit more to what was just posted, there are some tricks to discourage image theft, but no lock is pick-proof. You can do some trickery with image slicing or transparent gif overlays. If you want to read more about those check out:
http://webdesign.about.com/library/weekly/aa062001a.htm#norightclick
Another avenue to go down requires a big budget and a willingness to bog your users down a bit. You can have your whole site encrypted with Java, and require all users to download the decryption applet in order to view anything on your site. The contents in their cache would still be encrypted. I think the java filter has to work through the browser and all but a very few would know how to apply the decryption outside of the browser environment. Check it out here:
http://www.artistscope.net/
That is as much as I can add to Tom's post. Hope it helps.
Dale
Thanks people for the input, I guess there is really no way of doing it without compromising my web page.
If you use an image editing program (like Photoshop) that will allow you to create layers, you could design a faux watermark with your copyright or something. It wouldn't disrupt the image too much and would discourage swiping at the same time.
For what it's worth, I would suggest resigning yourself to not worry all that much about it. It's the trade-off for being able to exhibit your work. If you end up running across your image somewhere you can always write to the person who has it on their site, asking them to cease and desist. I've found my images in other places on several occasions. The only time I've felt compelled to write was because of the way in which they were using the image and because the site itself was pretty grody. I asked them (politely) to knock it off..... and 'lo and behold, they did.
The only way is, to create an SWF Movie (Flash MOVIE) in which you have the picture... There is no donwload possible...
Other way is, to put an Blind Gif over wit from 1x1 pixel...
But the swf is the best way..
Benny
bettyfordclinic
1-31-02, 08:08 AM
Hi everyone (and hi there Benny)
I've got a picture site too, but I gave up on even thinking about protecting them (and now encourage their use for non-profit sites).
The thing is, unless you watermark the image with a really big X through it, someone can ALWAYS take it. Don't forget that both mac's and pc's can take screen shots. So even if the image is java or swf protected, if they can see it, they've got it. I guess this doesn't apply to really high res files, but the majority of web images can be got with a single key command.
I'd go down the road of putting then up and encouraging people to use them in a responsible way. I think most people will be resonsible, and those who won't would probably have got around any measures you'd put in place anyway.
Best of luck
md
www.fantasyjackpalance.com (http://www.fantasyjackpalance.com)
SimCoWeb
1-31-02, 12:30 PM
Ladies and Gents, there IS a way to absolutely protect your images that's simple and secure. There's a new program available that was designed specifically to protect site contents for artists, adult sites, etc. that allow you to view but no pluck the pics for your own use.
It's moderately priced and has a variety of different versions to fit your budget and needs.
Here's the info on it.
http://www.simcoweb.com/linkspages/New/16-Jan-2002.html
You can go to the site and test drive it as well. I've spoken personally with the developer and was impressed with all the features and the programming.
bettyfordclinic
1-31-02, 12:50 PM
DAMN CLEVER!!!!!
You can't couch the keyboard so no screen grabs. I've come across this no key-touching script before, and was thinking about trying to get around it, but it would certainly be difficult. I might have a go later on (I will probably fail) but I'm very impressed with that system straight away....
md!!!
SimCoWeb
1-31-02, 12:54 PM
I live about 10 minutes from the Betty Ford Clinic.... are you physically at the center???
bettyfordclinic
1-31-02, 01:09 PM
OK
I just spent 15 minutes at it and got nowhere. They link to a cgi script somewhere that I haven't managed to access. I'm gonna try more tomorrow but this is stopping me dead.
And, uh no, I'm actually in Dublin, Ireland. I'm afraid "bettyfordclinic" was a stupid handle I used with my hotmail account years ago that I've sort of hung on to. I know it's dumb, but......
That's a great link Simcoweb. Are you involved in it professionally???
md
SimCoWeb
1-31-02, 01:16 PM
Which link are you referring to? The www.simcoweb.com site? Yes, that one's mine. I also have www.templatedepot.com for the design challenged :D
Does this (http://fcsnc.com/stolen/uh-oh.jpg) remind you of anything?
Warning ... I'm already married ... and don't touch any keys!
;)
SimCoWeb
1-31-02, 02:01 PM
hmmmmm....yeah, it reminds me of all the porn crap I get when i'm on ICQ!! hehe :D
I missed something there ... you are strangely attracted to pictures of bowls? <g>
Well, as long as you didn't steal it. I trust you.
By the way, how much does that software cost? It took me less than 3 minutes to steal that picture.
SimCoWeb
1-31-02, 04:48 PM
Tom, you hacker you! :D
What picture are you talking about?? Did you go to that site selling the 'secure' software and yank one of their photos off?
SimCoWeb
1-31-02, 04:57 PM
hehe...well, it would be a good thing to let them know that so they don't keep advertising the false claims. The programmer is targeting the adult market and those artists protecting their work. I also have it listed as a resource on my site.
Tell me, how easy was it to get past their 'security'??
Apparently not too easy, since I just spent another 25 minutes trying to do it again, without success :-)
I would tell you, but it looks like I can't remember, which if I did I would not be able to tell you because it would have been a secret.
SimCoWeb
1-31-02, 06:23 PM
You're a nut :D
bettyfordclinic
2-1-02, 06:13 AM
Nice work FSNC, but I'm still pretty impressed at the level of protection the script offered. I presume you got it through disabling javascript and doing a screen grab, which I'll admit is something that I probably wouldn't have thought of before you mentioned it (and forgot about last night).
see ya!!!
md
lol
check out this URL:
http://www.invisitec.com/invisitec/protec_demo_ns.shtml
then check out my attachment that i uploaded: here's a "protected by invisitec" photo...look familiar?
lol all you have to do is go to the "protected" page, then go to file>save as in your browser, and then you can save the entire page on your hard drive! i did this with the "protec" demo, but i imagine "protec pro" is no better.
That's TWO breaches of their 'security'! He will be a sad man :(
Actually I just went to a site protected by protec, and they had it so that when you clicked on a thumbnail, the photo comes up in a new window, without any of the "file", "edit", etc. stuff at the top of the window. when you right click, the winow closes. It appears that when you click on any key, the window also closes. This method is a very strong deterrent, to protec's credit. (I'm not sure if this was the pro version or what, or even if protec had anything to do with the window closing, but I am assuming they did). There may be more deterring features that protec has as well, if you are into this. However, I doubt this would be very hard to code yourself. Also, I assume the images can be found in temporary internet files, but many will not even look there.
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