nothing against no one here,
but when its come to stopping thieves from stealing ur site or any graphics....i am gonna tell you all the tricks which would make it very hard for others to copy anything of your site. You need javascript to do all the followings below

1. Use javascript to disble mouse-right click so thy can't
save it.

2. Disable the toolbars using javascript

3. Disable the window resizable

4. Prepare seperate folders in your root directory where
you will put your graphics, so they won't be on the
same root directory as your your index.htm file. Make
sure you give these folders strange and unrelated
names, dont put gifs in the folder name gifs but try
name like iso4329.

5. Use frames in your index.htm file where it will
call your file contaning the code for your site, don't
put the code in your index.htm file. Also say you
gonna put the code in home.htm, put it in another
strange naming folder...makes it impossible for
anyone to tell where you get the codes from.

6. If you can, use flash (dont put any flashy graphics,
make it simple like your html page), this really make it
impossible for anyone to steal your graphics

7. the best option is to put your stuff in another domain name so the hacker wont be able to get it at all. Using asp, if you know the language, also makes it very hard to steal your stuff, using the guidelines above

Well folks if you follow the guidelines above, it would make it very hard for anyone to take your stuff, no more simple right click and save or saving using file save option. It is still possible for anyone to get your stuff, but now you will make the ******* work as hard to take you site as you have worked to make your site. 99% guys wont go extra length at all to take your stuff, they would goto some looser who was too lazy to protect his site. By the way, i used to be hacker..so trust me...the guidelines above works very very well..lol. I know its pain in the ass, but trust me, you will love it. And if you got any more ides, post them here!!!

oops forget to mention another thing.
also disable the browser cache, thus preventing them from going in their temporory internet folder to steal ur stuff

Well it's not fool-proof cause you can always retrieve the html and graphics from the browser's cache.

Ooops, didnt see the previous post.

Anyway, there a programs out there that people can use that will download all the files for offline browsing.

Post an image of what happened to someone to someone who tried to steal the site :)

Hello. I read your post with keen attention. May I have some opinions?

First, if your graphics are precious, why place them over the web? Security on the web is lax. My opinion (correct me if I am wrong) is when you see the graphics then for sure they can be stolen.

You just have to let your visitors know that you respect their rights and they should respect yours too. I am not sure, but would a simple copyright notice be enough for sensible visitors?

I also heard of watermarks. But, they will not be able to help because they can be removed by some software.

Disabling stuff through javascript may help, but in my opinion (again correct me if I am wrong) they just make it hard on your other visitors majority of whom are not graphics thief! And it might (not sure) be not friendly to search engines and as it is not friendly to human browsers.

My two cents worth. And thanks for additional inputs.

:)

well sometimes you create cool button or cool looking form and some one else steal it to use on their site, thats why u need some protection.
Now i know about the programs which would download the site for you, but if as I said before i used to be a hacker and i know the limit of these programs. Using frames to put your tell the browser to look for your code at some other place, or using flash to get the grapchics from other folders (even using asp works)...limit these programs. They can't read the links so wont be able to download anything but index.htm where they can't read the code if u use asp, flash or frame techniques. Goto

http://www.kmgi.com/

they use the techniques above and you will see it becomes very hard to take stuff from them. ofcourse its not possible, but ur job is to make the theif work hard!!!

Mr "hacker" bigdaddycool,

I would like to point out a few things..

1. The above site uses Macromedia Flash, and offcourse, this does not let you right click and save images or look at the source. However, people that are out to steal your graphics are well aware of the Print Screen button.

2. The site you have mentioned above has not even disabled the Flash menu, which allowes you to zoom in and get a even better screenshot.

3. The "thieves" are also aware that by looking at the HTML source they can find the frame info. All I did was view > source in IE and from that source I found that the page loaded in the frame was "scriptDetection.html". I loaded that page and I ended up at http://www.kmgi.com/KMGI.html where the source to the Flash movie is.

4. Those sites that disable the right click button have a couple of ways around it. One is to press down your middle mouse button and then press the right mouse button (this does not work on all). You can also press the menu key on your keyboard to get the menu for that frame. If none of these 2 works, you can always go to my previous point.

So what is my point.. My point is that you can not completely protect your website. Some things you can though. I had a website with lyrics that I didn't want anyone to steal, so I used Flash to load the lyircs from a database. This would stop anyone from copy pasting them. Anyways, the things you have mentioned do not do any good if a website thief is after your website. You're just wasting your time for no reason. We have discussed this matter before on this board and I can assure you that if someone is after your website, even if they are not aware of all the ways I've mentioned, it will take them not more than an hour to have all your source and images.

I do really hope there will be a way in the future to protect your images and your source.

"I had a website with lyrics that I didn't want anyone to steal, so I used Flash to load the lyircs from a database. This would stop anyone from copy pasting them. "

Hey, nice technique. But, I believe they can always hand-copy it. (Guess, they are not lazy after all!)

I fully support your hope for a protection of source and images. But, the nature of the web does not allow it as of the moment, yes.

The only recourse is to have a teeth on the copyright law! What do you think? And how then should webmasters copyright their site? I figure just having a Copyright notice, but I could be wrong.

:)

I don't know about Flash/Director if you can d/l them and take them apart if you have the appropriate program?


I really hate sites that disable this, that, and the other... it's really annoying. If I try to do something, like Right-Click Open New Window, I'm gonna rip the site apart and see just what's so special about it...


The easiest way to get around this is just turn off javascript in your browser and reload. Or set it on Prompt, if you use Internet Exploder, and just deny one or two of them...

At the current moment there are only 3 browser windows in my taskbar... but normally there are so many I can't read the text...

Open New Window...
Open New Window...
Open New Window...
Open New Window...
Open New Window...
Open New Window...
Open New Window...
Open New Window...
Open New Window...
Open New Window...
Open New Window...


I like that button :D

Originally posted by bigdaddycool
nothing against no one here,
but when its come to stopping thieves from stealing ur site or any graphics....i am gonna tell you all the tricks which would make it very hard for others to copy anything of your site. You need javascript to do all the followings below...

The only fool proof way I can think of is to make your site so ugly, so poorly designed, so misspelled, and so revolting, that no one would want to steal it. :D

Seriously though, there is no easy way to keep people from using anyone else's content on the web. Sorry, but that's life on the net.

Take care,

Brian

locks are only to keep the honest people out.

I put in a "no right-click" javascript, then chmod'ed my graphics folder to 711 so it would yield a Forbidden notice... the graphics appear on the pages okay, but ya can't go straight to ../graphics/ and see the list. then customized my error page so it meta-forwards to a hilarious "Hell" site.

this doesn't work in Netscape, and I'm sure a decent thief could find his way around it anyways, but it'll discourage the low-end thieves and overly curious pedestrians.... like myself-- I've been known to swipe a graphic here and there, or go to the "previews" areas of some pay sites and then see if I can access some pics for free.. sometimes it works, sometimes it don't.
but ya can't stop a serious thief.

(I wonder how to swipe these cool smilies.... hm-m-m....
nah... I'll bet they're available above board with just a little research.)

you can use that cheap trick where you make your source code like this:

<!-- SOURCE CODE PROTECTED -->
<!-- If this window remains open for 5 seconds, you IP will be logged and you will be reported-->























<html>
blah blah

so when people view the source they just see the stuff at the top and get scared and close the window quickly and won't be able to scroll down. but it is an old trick and some people won't get fooled. a lot of people do get fooled though :) it's quite funny when people email me asking for mercy :)

All you would accomplish is making your site user and search engine unfriendly. What consul said questioningly I'll state with conviction. People could still copy your site, you would reduce the number of people who could access it with no problems or delays, and most search engines would not spider it

What's the sense in such a site? Why not close it altogether? Then no one could copy it and it would be 100% protected.

Duster is right on. There is no way to prevent me from copying anything on your site. No way. Once you have presented it to me in my browser, I have a copy of it. Period.

If you have graphics that you wish protected, use a digital watermark and then persue the thief to the fullest extent of the law.

All the mentioned hacks to try to prevent your site components from being lifted are absolutely worthless.

Disable my "right mouse" I dare you. I don't even have one on my computer!

-t

thewitt is right, there is no way to prevent this. Copyright laws I guess will have to do for now. We had very recently (2 days ago) our site stolen almost in its entirety. The thieve was also offering web hosting and domain registration and he was using the exact same site (slightly modified.) We run an md5 check and guess what? A few images came out with the same checksum. This is the best way to prove that certain images are yours, specially if you created them with something like PhotoShop and you have the original .psd (layered) files.

The thieve removed the entire site after a warning was sent. ;)

I like IE6.... place pointer over image and it pops a toolbar up where you may save the image.

What about offering lets say a $25.00 'reward' for someone who tells you your work is being used. $25.00 is not a lot, but when you get a surfer that says "I have seen this before, hey look - I can get $25.00 if I remember".

I have seen this in use at a few sites. Who knows if it works. But if your work is that important....

Also, if everyone banded together and helped report thieves, this would help. I probably report 10 people a month! Most steal from Hostway, *****, and Valueweb. The Hostway guys always thank you. Even though I am a competitor, I still hate thieves. It only takes 10 seconds to report.

If you work is published, that's always a way to "steal" it. Even if not view source, anyone could save an entire website in mintues with Frontpage by click on IE File>Edit with Microsoft Frontpage.. save! Worst come to worst images can be steal by screen shot capture and slice, that's alway a way.

Just like what UmBillyCord quote, the best would be everyone banded together reporting site's thieves, maybe just a post on this forum would bought up some attentions (what happen like Tacid and MxHub incident), i hate thieves too and won't hesitate to report them..

Add watermarks to important images.

One thing I read elsewhere was to have important images hidden behind rollovers...

Hey,

One of the guys at work told me about this:

If you hit your print screen button on your keyboard, it automatically makes your entire screen copied to the clipboard. Then, you take it into MS Paint or PaintShop, and you can paste the image. After that, you can cut out any images or text.

How would you go about stopping that?

Jim

zobrian stated: I do really hope there will be a way in the future to protect your images and your source.

Ever heard of a camera? lol if you can't save the images then you can just take a picture with a camera or even do capture screen.

Originally posted by jimb
Hey,

One of the guys at work told me about this:

If you hit your print screen button on your keyboard, it automatically makes your entire screen copied to the clipboard. Then, you take it into MS Paint or PaintShop, and you can paste the image. After that, you can cut out any images or text.

How would you go about stopping that?

Jim

Can't stop it. Can't stop anything at all. This is what we do:

We work with PhotoShop and make sure we always keep the original image (.psd format with all layers) We then can run a test on stolen image and compare the checksums, if they are identical then that means it is the same image. By having the original image (.psd format) we can prove that the image is indeed ours. This is enough to shut any site down for "Copyright Infringement" ;)

Aloha
I think locking screen size is agravating would make some people made
also right click disabled only IE
I use opera you are screwed so ????
use a snake program I have your site
I use flash browser and patch I can view your locked flash file and take it anyway
streaming media I can use a internal codec cam to grab it as it streams same with music

anything that can be done can be undone
not a site that you can not steal
granted the lame beginer who does not know much you can make it so he moves on and does not bother
kinda like you have a pro car thief after your new mercedes he will get it the beginer know he will not get it

its a tough thing I finally figured OH well deal with it when it comes up

so you may stop some but the screen size no control etc... pisses off more good people than it does stop bad people I would rather make honest customers happy than it tough for dishonest
just my thoughts

Originally posted by vibesolutions


Ever heard of a camera? lol if you can't save the images then you can just take a picture with a camera or even do capture screen.

I already included capture screen (screen shot) in my post above. :rolleyes: And as far as taking a picture with a camera, that is a little to far for the average Joe I think. :eek:

hey all,
well i never claimed to make the site full proof!!! I just calimed that how can u make it harder for low end theieves who are just browsing around, looking for some cool pic, or button to use for their sites. They wont go thru all the extra effort and just leave...ofcourse if someone is determined to get ur site..well ur screwed!!! lol

As it's already been pointed out, a person can steal your site no matter what you do. They just have to be determined enough.

But what about the average user? I'm talking about the person who's looking at your site because they are *interested* in the content of your site.
Quite frankly, I find it rude and just damn annoying when my right click is disabled. That's how I browse. It's what I'm used to and it's MY CHOICE to use my right click. A webmaster should never try to control a person's computer like that.

I'm running a site where the things posted have been known to be plagiarized and, in one case, just plain stolen. But do I disable anything or control user preferences? No. I e-mail the thief, I report them to their hosting provider and every other person I can.
If your images are truly important, use a watermark.

But please, have a little consideration for the average user just viewing your site for the simple reason that they like it.

Originally posted by Ryka

But please, have a little consideration for the average user just viewing your site for the simple reason that they like it.

I couldn't agree more with Ryka, as I said earlier, our site has been stolen already. Shutting thieves' sites down is not a problem, actually it is quite easy as long as you can prove that the images belong to you. Just run a checksum on the stolen image, get your original image ready to show as proof and call their upstream provider. I guarantee you their site will be shut down almost immediately if they don't remove the stolen material. ;)

i'm coming from the design/advertising side here, as someone who spends his professional days coming up with concepts and graphics and even 'those cool little buttons', so my apologies if the programming professionals here find i'm talking crap (although my pals on the programming side often indicate that code is indeed an art and i tend to agree).

but here's my point: are you certain, when you're developing or creating something, that it is indeed your own very original work of art, uninspired from some other source (be it on a computer or on a highway sign you passed a month ago)?

those of us in the art direction world know that very little is in fact original any longer. most of what you see out there is inspired by historical references to old designers, an old package or commercial, a television show or comedy, or some other image or concept or work of art.

and while i think stealing someone's work directly sucks big time, i also know that much of what i do is inspired by some other reference to pop art, culture, history, or something i saw somewhere along in life. and i have a hard time feeling like i own it and it should never be published or used as inspiriation for someone else ( i agree with whoever mentioned in this thread that if it's so precious, you should not publish)

yes, there are things that are indeed quite original and certainly if i see it out there, i know that it was a reference to my work. but rather than being pissed off, i feel pretty damned proud someone thought highly enough of my work to put it into theirs. did i get credit? hardly. but i don't credit the old bottle of detergent i found in my mom's pantry that inspired a cd cover, either.

in the end, imitation *is* the best form of flattery. just be sure you feel good about doing what it is you're doing, and do it honestly. and let the chips fall where they may.

just a random, scatterbrained thought. :)

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bigdaddycool
[B]nothing against no one here,
but when its come to stopping thieves from stealing ur site or any graphics....i am gonna tell you all the tricks which would make it very hard for others to copy anything of your site. You need javascript to do all the followings below

imho by far the best way is to keep moving forward yourself with your site .. it is a little like the patents game, some people invest loads of worry and time into trying to find out how to protect some idea they had while somwhere else in the world someone is making it happen... has happenned to most people, had a great idea once did not dare discuss it in case someone stole it, later "damn" :eek: saw someone else had actually done it..

Same with websites .. keep changing them and at best someone will copy the old version .. who cares.

Are you telling us you did not learn anything from the "view source" option?

That is not to say dont watermark and copyright and pursue thiefs ... do .. but dont waste time making my sites un SE indexable just so some one has a harder time if they are determined to copy the layout or images..

Last week I came across a web site that had a saying on it that is appropriate here. It said " Out site is not optimized for Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. It is optimized for our visitors."

http://www.prohacker.f2s.com/enc.html

Check out the source, I'm sure any javascript person could make it decrypt, but hey it'll slow'em down...


If you want to protect your images, use pgp's image encyption, and encrypt the url the image will be at into the pic, that way if someone steals it, you just email their upstream provider and give them the keys, and they can see its stolen...

Aloha
I think there is a plugin for this with Ultradev on MM site
can not remember
CF also has a encrypt as do other languages which can be nice to keep people from stealing some stuff
but down side is ya can still grab the pics etc....

I still say not to much to worry if they want to copy they need the help adn lawyers need teh money to sue em ??
heheheh (joke in a way )

No matter what you have in place, printscreen, and an image slicer will undo all your efforts to stop people stealing graphics. I've lost count of the site's I've seen with are little more than a mis-mash of other people's work. Personally I think sending them a free ticket to China, and then packing their suitcase full of drugs is a good answer. :) After all they still have public executions there...

Bert's post is able the best thing you can do. Just keep all your .psd files and use them as evidence if it gets to a public slanging match. Forums such as this make it damaging to people who steal graphics as they are openly shown to be thieves.

Bully28 makes a point too, though I think the general gist of the thread is the direct copying of graphics in their original form. Any design mag shows infinite examples of work influenced by others. That gawd-awful 'isometric' look recently is proof of that. We all see work that's inspiring and use it as a model for our own work at times. Customers give us sites they like and wish theirs "To look like that". The fine line is between what is a top of the hat to someone else's work, and the out and out stealing of that work, claiming it to be your own.

HTML code is harder to prove of course as removing any comments you add will effectively render it vanilla. In a few cases we've called people on using ours to which they claim not to have. A recent example left our human click code at the bottom. When we mentioned that to them, they apologised for leaving it there, but didn't seem to warrant an apology for using the code in the first place as needed. :rolleyes:

Greg Moore

Originally posted by akashik
A recent example left our human click code at the bottom. When we mentioned that to them, they apologised for leaving it there, but didn't seem to warrant an apology for using the code in the first place as needed.

That is really funny. :D

Hi,

Im using IE 6.0 right now.
If my mousepointer is on a picture i get a verry small popup menu with the options:
Save, Print, Email
Thats what Microsoft made for IE 6
All that for free :)


Nico

[QUOTE]Thats what Microsoft made for IE 6
All that for free :)

I am sure I am not the only one that likes Netscape 4.7 for allowing openning frame contents in a new window, though there seem plenty of great (not) frames sites that seem to do that for you anyhow.

without clicking anything? Maybe it's just me but I'd find that as annoying as all hell having that pop up. I hope it's something able to be turned off.

Greg Moore

Correct without clicking you get a verry tinny popup.
Its build-in i guess, and it go's verry fast.

Hello, this topic on preventing others from copying your site/images has gone too far and we have reached the "climax".

Before we go offhand, I suggest we move on to discuss other topics. Anybody care to post a _new_ thread?

Thanks.

:)

I read something about the watermark on this topic.
Can someone explain to me what it is and how to use it?

Nico

Originally posted by Flash
I read something about the watermark on this topic.
Can someone explain to me what it is and how to use it?

Nico
Try http://www.digimarc.com

-t

Just as my little contribution, if someone wanted the text from your flash files etc. and couldn't remove the protection from them, then they could always take a screen shot of it and run it through an OCR program such as TextBridge - just a little something to consider.

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2>
<!--
function notice(){
menutext.style.left=document.body.scrollLeft+event.clientX
menutext.style.top=document.body.scrollTop+event.clientY
menutext.style.visibility="visible"
return false
}

function hidenotice(){
menutext.style.visibility="hidden"
}

file://-->
</SCRIPT>
<!--[if IE]>
<DIV id=menutext>
<DIV url=""></DIV></DIV><![endif]-->
<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.2>
<!--
document.oncontextmenu=notice;
if (document.all&&window.print)
document.body.onclick=hidenotice;
file://-->
</SCRIPT>
<!-- einde mouseover -->

Just put this above the </body> tag This disable any mouse click movement..

Why want to protected your work ? come on pple steal ur pic mean you are a good design :) ^_^

cheers,
sKy Neo

I feel code should be free, thus a style should be free also...an image such as a person or so one may not be because it is an actual thing...

But I know what my website is, but if someone steals it, then guess what...they are the ones that look bad if the person sees my site then theirs...

let someone copy it...I don't care...as long as you dont go trying to say I took your design LOL