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5 Simple Steps to Protect your Digital Downloads
A couple of days ago, I was searching for a popular eBook online. Now I'm not going to tell you the name of this eBook for reasons you'll understand in the next few minutes. Okay, so here I was, opening Google, entering the name of the eBook - clicking search, and checking through the first few pages of search results. -> Forward to Page 5 of Google I saw a link that looked like a PDF document. Right click -> open in new window There, in full glory, was the eBook I was searching for! The complete eBook, mind you, not a trial or demo - sitting there for the world to download. And this is a product that sells for over $25 online!! Obviously I'm not going to tell you the name of the eBook because it would not be fair to the reseller. But it just made me realise that one of the reasons digital theft is so prevalent is simply because... its so EASY! Don't get me wrong. I don't condone theft of any kind - digital or otherwise. But would YOU shell out $25 for a product that everyone can 'legally' download off the 5th page of Google? Most people would just shrug their shoulders, hit the save button and thank their lucky stars. Result: The opposite of $ KA-CHING $ for the sellers One of the problems with selling digital products online is that it is so SIMPLE to do. So now everyone and their grandmother wants to do it. But most newbies have no idea that it requires only a few simple steps to ensure a moderate degree of security for your downloads. So here I've outlined the five most BASIC security steps That anyone selling digital products online must take. These will take you only a few minutes to do, and you do not need any special software or programming knowledge. 1. ZIP THAT FILE The biggest problem arises when sellers store their downloads as PDF documents, as in my experience above. Now you should know that Google, Altavista and many other search engines can read and list PDF files. While this may not be a problem for those adding content to their sites in the form of PDF newsletters and reports, it also means that you must never store a product you want to SELL as a PDF file (unless it is in a password- protected folder). It gets worse. Google also converts your PDF files into HTML documents. So ordinary browsers not only have access to your PDF file, but - horror of horrors - they can download your SOURCE FILE as well!! The next logical step is for them to customize it with their own links, compile it and sell it or give it away. Result: The opposite of $ KA-CHING $ for the sellers ...AND the author. A simple way of keeping your files out of the reach of spiders is to upload them as a zip file. Search engines cannot look inside zip files (yet) and list their contents. 2. CREATE AN INDEX.HTML FILE You MUST have an index.html file in EVERY folder. It acts like a curtain that keeps your files away from prying eyes. A folder without an index file is like a house without walls. Everyone can enter and help themselves to the valuables. The 'index.htm' file is the default file that opens when you click on the link here - http://ebizwhiz-publishing.com/ If you don't create an index.htm or index.html file, you'd be allowing everyone to directly access the root directory of the folder where you store your downloads. Here is a folder I uploaded to show you what happens when you DON'T have an index file. http://ebizwhiz-publishing.com/test/ As you can see, all the files stored in it are clearly visible and ready to download. And yes, feel free to help yourself - I won't accuse you of stealing :-) 3. SHOW PEEPING TOMS THE EXIT You can use a simple script to redirect peeping Toms back to your home page. Here's the easiest way to do it using what it called a "meta refresh tag." Add it between the Header tags like this. <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="refresh" content="0;URL=http://ebizwhiz-publishing.com"> </head> Replace Just replace my URL with your own in the example above and paste it into the head of your document (before your text). You can see how it works by clicking on the test folder here. http://ebizwhiz-publishing.com/redirect/ Now even though you click on the folder URL, you will be sent to my home page. 4. SPIDER-PROOF YOUR DOWNLOAD PAGES To prevent search engine spiders from reading and listing the download pages that link to your eBooks add the tag below in the head of the document. This "Robot" tag tells the spider that this page is not to be spidered or indexed. As a result it should never show up on a search. <head> <META NAME="ROBOTS" CONTENT="NOINDEX, NOFOLLOW"> </head> 5. CHANGE YOUR DOWNLOAD LINKS OFTEN To prevent unscrupulous people from posting your download links on forums or message boards, change the folder or file name where you store them from time to time, even if it means having to change the download links in your merchant account. Using these methods will give you a good degree of satisfaction, knowing that you have taken the most basic steps to protect your digital valuables - and at absolutely no cost to you. If you want greater security and more information on plugging the security loopholes in your website, check out a selection of digital download protection tools. Copyright © 2003 Priya ShahPriya Shah is the author of the search engine optimization guide, Number One In Your Niche and edits the newsletters Be a Whiz at eBiz! and The Glutathione Report
MORE RESOURCES: After student allegedly threatens classmate with gun, Ambridge Area School District makes security changes CBS Pittsburgh Homeland Security Department to Release New A.I. Guidance The New York Times Officials detail increased D.C. security for certification, inauguration The Washington Post US ambassador says Mexico 'closed the doors' on security cooperation and denies its violence problem ABC News The UN cybercrime convention threatens security research. The US should do something about it CyberScoop Brief altercation between fans mars France-Israel soccer match despite heavy security The Associated Press Opinion | Trump’s national security wrecking crew The Washington Post U.S. ambassador bashes Mexico’s security efforts. Mexico’s president pushes back Los Angeles Times The Fastest Airport Security Line You Don’t Know About The Wall Street Journal Do Titans QB, Coach Have Job Security? Sports Illustrated The campus will be closed to anyone who is not a student, faculty or staff member. WVTM13 Birmingham Tuskegee president releases security updates following shooting WIAT - CBS42.com Video: How The Fortinet Security Fabric Is Combatting Cybersecurity Threats And Talent Shortage Channel Insider Tuskegee University Shifts Security, Facilities Leadership Tuskegee University Endpoint Security from BlackBerry BlackBerry 3rd Annual U.S.-Mexico Defense and Security Roundtable smallwarsjournal France draws with Israel in high-security operation to reach Nations League quarterfinals with Italy The Associated Press Homeland Security Department releases framework for using AI in critical infrastructure The Associated Press Tom Homan, Trump’s ‘Border Czar,’ on Border Security The New York Times St. Francis Seraph hires security guards for Christmas, Nativity display visitors as crowds still plague area WCPO 9 Cincinnati Suspect in Little Italy shootout with police was a security guard doing contract work for MTS CBS News 8 France-Israel Soccer Match is Overshadowed by Amsterdam Attack The New York Times Trump’s National Security Team Keeps Getting More Extreme The New Republic South Florida campus security officer arrested after attempting to meet minor for sex WPBF West Palm Beach Linn County’s Food for Health pilot program aims to improve food security, support local economy KEZI TV Lamar CISD invests in safety, security amid rapid growth Community Impact How security partnerships are transforming to meet modern demands SecurityInfoWatch Rand Paul Will Continue His COVID-19 Investigations From Atop the Senate Homeland Security Committee Reason Mexico’s ‘hugs, not bullets’ security strategy has failed, says US Ambassador Ken Salazar Mexico News Daily Trump names Florida’s Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser Nebraska Examiner ESA opens registration for 2024 Town Hall Broadcast SecurityInfoWatch Mexican Officials Arrest Top Security Official in Mayor’s Beheading The New York Times 11/14/24 National Security and Korean News and Commentary smallwarsjournal ASIS, International Protective Security Board Sign Memorandum of Understanding Security Sales & Integration Federal officials warn Boston churches to increase security after wave of arson attacks CatholicVote org Akamai: 84% of security professionals experienced an API security incident in the past year SecurityInfoWatch Suspect in Little Italy shootout with police was a security guard doing contract work for MTS CBS News 8 Arizona governor pledges work with Trump to secure the border Arizona's Family Gov. Gianforte unveils budget proposal built around 'security and prosperity' Bozeman Daily Chronicle Trump Picks Kristi Noem for Homeland Security Secretary The New York Times ASIS International, International Protective Security Board sign MOU SecurityInfoWatch Microsoft Patch Tuesday, November 2024 Edition Krebs on Security USX Cyber Expands Phishing Defense in GUARDIENT XDR with Advanced Email Security Training Tools PR Newswire Seven Recommendations for the New Administration and Congress: Building U.S. Critical Minerals Security Center for Strategic & International Studies Who Is Michael Waltz, Trump’s Pick to Be National Security Adviser? The New York Times |
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