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Ebook Security Software
Ebook Security and Protection Software
- Which Solution?
Ebook Security Software and protection methods is a
major concern to many, including myself.
Some time ago, I published an ebook which was sold for only £10.
It is still being sold today but I have recently discovered that many
people were passing the book around to friends by email or by uploading
it to a site.
So, when I decided to publish my 2nd book, I was determined to nip this
problem in the bud by employing some sort of ebook security and protection.
There are several types of security problems you face after publishing
an ebook:
- People can copy your text and paste it into MS Word so that they can
sell the book themselves after they have been able to edit it.
- People can use some sort of screen capture or html editing utility
to capture your text for editing.
- People can pass the ebook to friends and colleagues without further
payments to you.
- People can abuse your goodwill by asking for a refund after they have
downloaded your ebook.
Many ebook security software solutions (and normal ebook software programs)
have the ability to disable the copying of text.
Hardly any ebook protection systems or ebook compiling programs have
the ability to stop screen capture.
Many ebook security software solutions (and ebook software programs)
have security or password features built into the program. The problem
with most of these is that it requires your input everytime someone buys
your ebook. It requires you to email the purchaser a passcode which is
generated once the user sends you their software key. This has the effect
of locking that ebook copy onto that particular computer.
There are some individuals who love to ask for refunds. They pay for
your ebook, download it and then ask for a refund with a poor excuse for
not wanting it. To handle this problem, some ebook security programs have
the ability to revoke access to that ebook from the server. This way,
if they ask for a refund, they will not be able to read that ebook again.
Some example programs are:
Ebook Pro
EbookGold
Ebook Generator (which I don't recommend)
These programs integrate the Ebook Software Solution with the Ebook Security
Solution. In effect, you're getting an all-in-one program.
If you have chosen to write your work in PDF format, then I would only
recommend 3 ebook security software solutions.
The first one is named "File Secure". I use this myself and can vouch for its strong security features.
Here is some information regarding "File Secure"
PDF PROTECTION FEATURES |
When you need to control exactly who has access to your file and for how long, the File Secure Pro |
system provides you with the advanced control and peace of mind, provided by no other system. |
You will always know who is viewing your file and when, and if necessary you will have the power |
to STOP access of the document INSTANTLY for any reason. No more surprises. |
Revoke User Access to a PDF file Instantly |
You can instantly lock a file and prevent access for a specific user, or a group of users at any time. |
You can also undo this action to allow them access again. |
Encrypts PDF documents with high level encryption |
All protected files are encrypted with a strong 256 bit encryption algorithm. |
Does not save unprotected copy of file in "temp" folder |
Most applications save an unprotected copy of the file in the Windows "temp" folder. It is very |
easy for a dishonest user to simply grab the file from there and then do with it what they wish. File |
Secure Pro fixes this issue by not saving an unprotected copy of the file anywhere on the user's PC. |
Set Expiration Date |
You set the allowed access period for a specific file. You can set the user’s access to expire from 1 minute to several years after the user first access it. You can also set their access to expire on a specific future date. |
Controls Printing |
Allows you to control if the user is allowed to print that specific file. If they are allowed to print, |
you can further control the number of printouts they are allowed. Users are also not allowed to |
print-to-file, print-to-PDF or print-to-TIFF. This is unique, complete protection that no other |
system offers. |
Delayed Printing Ability |
Gives you the option to delay allowing the user to print for a specific amount of time. For example, |
you can set this to 24 hours. This added fraud feature will prevent the user from printing until 24 |
hours after they first access the file. |
Enable Watermarking |
This allows you to enter specific watermark text or user data that will be stamped onto each page |
of the document when it is printed. |
Include Header/Footer Data on Printouts |
This feature adds specific user data to the header and footer of the document when it is printed. |
|
Control File/Password Sharing |
You control how many times a password is used. In most cases this is set to allow only one user |
for a specific password. Once that file has been activated, it cannot be activated by anyone else on |
any other PC. The user can pass around the password and file as much as they wish, but it will |
only open on the original user’s PC. |
Closes all PDF Security Flaws |
File Secure Pro™ automatically prevents the end user from copying text or images to the |
clipboard. It also prevents the user from exporting the file to text, prevents the user from emailing |
an unprotected version of the file, disables the save as feature, and disables the print to file option |
which is a major flaw in almost all PDF security systems. |
Also, the system does NOT save an unprotected copy of the file in the temp folder, or any folder |
on the hard drive. |
Advanced Screen Capture Protection |
Prevents the use of video and screen capture software when your document is being viewed so it |
cannot be copied. |
Offline Access |
If you choose, you can give the user the ability to access their file without an internet connection. |
This does not relinquish total control. After a predetermined period of time, the user must again |
connect to the internet to ensure that their rights to the file have not been changed or revoked. |
Ability to Move File |
If you choose, you can give the user the ability to move their file to another PC. During this |
process your file is never unprotected. |
Resale Rights Control |
If you offer resale rights to your documents or software, the File Secure Pro protection system |
allows you to provide others with licenses to sell or distribute your files and software. |
MONITORING FEATURES |
Provides detailed tracking and monitoring of file usage |
Allows you to see real time usage of your file. The system tracks when the user accessed the file, |
how many times the file was opened and how many times it was printed (if printing is allowed). |
Know instantly if your user has received your critical document. Know how many times they |
opened and if they printed it or not. The File Secure Pro system provides an electronic paper trail |
of the document usage. |
The user cannot deny receipt of the file because the act of opening the file provides electronic |
proof that they have accessed your specific file. If it was lost, you are still protected. You have to |
power to lock the file and just send out another! |
LOCKING FEATURES |
Advanced 3-Level File Locking |
Allows you to control access for a file from the Password Level, from the User Level or from the |
File Level. This enables more specific control over access to the file for each user or group of users. |
OUR SERVER SECURITY |
For speed and security, the file secure data servers sit on Multi-homed Tier 1 Network, consisting |
of with MCI/UUnet, Savvis/Cable & Wireless, and NTT/Verio. Our fiber connectivity to these |
networks is controlled by our Cisco GSR 12000 Border N+1 Routers and SBC OC-48 fiber |
termination equipment. |
We do not use Cogent or other low-quality discount bandwidth providers; this provides you with |
the fastest connectivity possible. |
Your user data and file data is backed up daily to a private network location for security. In case of a power failure a Cummins 313kVa Diesel Generator is ready at all times. |
There is a lot more which I haven't written about here but I think it's safe to say that this is the best security software on the market today. No other ebook security software can compare to it.
You can read more about the File Secure system at http://www.protectyourfile.com
The 2nd Ebook Security solution is Virtual Vault
Virtual Vault is also known as CB Protect.
I use their security service to protect some of my own PDF files.
So far, I have only come across 2 companies which offer PDF locking and
security which is affordable.
One is (the first one) and then there is Virtual Vault.
Virtual Vault does everything you need it to, to protect a PDF file.
The only thing it cannot do is prevent screen capture.
You can even revoke access to users if they ask for a refund.
If you want to allow printing, you need to set that before you compile
the ebook.
For more information, read their features at their website at www.cbprotect.com
The 3rd provider is Clicklocker.
This is how the ClickLocker
ebook security software works:
Each time a customer opens the protected file, the clicklocker component
will attempt to contact the online server to verify the access rights
of that customer. If the server says that the customer has access, the
file will then be opened. If the customer does not have access rights,
the file will not be opened.
Pros
It provides access protection for those selling or distributing
compiled html ebooks, but the ebook compiler you use must not decrypt
the file to the windows/temp folder.
Ability to stop unauthorized access and file sharing. This is not automatic,
however.
Allows the user to revoke the customer access and permissions at anytime.
The system can automatically distribute a password to approved customers
by directing your payment system to autoforward to a unique url.
The Ebook Security Software is easy to set up with no programming involved.
You can sign up instantly online and be up and running in 10 minutes.
Cons
Monthly charge.
No file autodistribution method. User must make file available for download
on server or manually distribute file.
User cannot move file to another PC
Once access has been revoked, you cannot reverse and make active once
again.
Does not offers control over printing or copying text. These settings
must be disabled manually in Adobe.
After putting all the factors together, ClickLocker is good for what it
does but there are a couple of better options. If you want standard ebook
security, ClickLocker will suffice.
You can read more about ClickLocker at their website:- www.clicklocker.com
Now it's up to you to choose a specific Ebook Security Software. |
