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What's the best way to secure my downloads

by yourreviewer
22 replies
I am launching a product soon and my customers will have access to a dashboard that has a number of PDF reports, audios and videos. I will be charging just a one time fee but I do see the potential of changing it to a membership site.

I used optimize press to design the dashboard, but I am more concerned about protecting the materials in the dashboard.

Should I opt for something like dlguard or should I opt for RAP bank or digital access pass?

Any advice would be appreciated.
#downloads #secure
  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    Have you tried a token system? There are services that will issue DMCA for you
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  • Profile picture of the author NatesMarketing
    I use S3 Media Vault for that. It's made by the same folks who made DAP, but it's sole purpose is to protect your files. (on Amazon S3 of course)
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    • Profile picture of the author AsknWhy
      Hi Youreviewer,

      Looks like you're getting on with making a product. Awesome. I've researched this topic quite a bit and here are some things I've found.

      1. The only way you can protect a ebook (pdf) is using very expensive and painful applications that you and your client need to install.

      2. The only way you can protect an ebook download can only be done on a "server" side. Example: When you send an email, you can make it so only people from the original email can download the attachment or access the link (via referrer codes / plugins).

      3. Audio / Digital content once downloaded will always be eventually leaked (that is the world of today.).

      4. Contrary to believe. S3 or any type of "STREAMING" file type CAN BE DOWNLOADED. There is no such thing as "secure from download" streaming besides "preventative" streaming. Preventative only means that members can watch it using temporary links that turn off after x seconds, so even if they share they can't. But they can still >download<

      When ANY file is "Streamed" your computer MUST download the packets (data) -> interpret the data -> create the video on your computer. Therefore, no matter what the level of protection (unless you have a custom software THEY install as well) your video can and will always be downloadable in some form or manner.
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  • Profile picture of the author Snowclone
    Easiest way: Setup a google alert for your product title and you can use some modifiers, so it doesn't alert you for specific websites (i.e. only give you an alert when the title pops up on ANOTHER site) - Then just DMCA and voila!
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  • Profile picture of the author yourreviewer
    Thanks for the suggestions. I am less concerned about the pdf reports (I guess it is quite easy to download and share the pdf reports) and more concerned about protecting the audio and video files. One suggestion that was given was not to give the option to download the audio and video files, but I don't think that's the best route.
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    • Profile picture of the author Snowclone
      Originally Posted by yourreviewer View Post

      Thanks for the suggestions. I am less concerned about the pdf reports (I guess it is quite easy to download and share the pdf reports) and more concerned about protecting the audio and video files. One suggestion that was given was not to give the option to download the audio and video files, but I don't think that's the best route.
      I still think your best bet is to setup some Google Alerts and you'll be notified as copyright infringements occur immediately so you can squash them within minutes of them popping up. I think that'll be easier than making your paying customers hassle around this and that system.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
      Originally Posted by yourreviewer View Post

      Thanks for the suggestions. I am less concerned about the pdf reports (I guess it is quite easy to download and share the pdf reports) and more concerned about protecting the audio and video files. One suggestion that was given was not to give the option to download the audio and video files, but I don't think that's the best route.
      One thing to remember. There is NO option to keep people from downloading videos. Lots of plugins available just to download embedded and streaming videos.

      Re's
      Rob Whisonant
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Use Amazon S3 to host all your files (whether streaming or downloading) and then use a tool such as S3 Flowshield to protect those files and videos.

    I personally hate membership sites that do not allow you to download the audios and videos you have purchased. Besides, if someone really wants to share your stuff they can do it regardless. So long as people can see and hear your videos they can easily record and share them. So I wouldn't worry too much about this.

    Focus on your paying customers not the free-loaders because that is what will make you the most money in the long-run. Those idiots on Blackhat sites will always be there and will always be idiots -- nothing you can do to change them. They are there because they are opportunity seekers with no money.
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  • Profile picture of the author yourreviewer
    Thanks for the great suggestions.

    I did a little research of my own along with your suggestions and here are a few options I found.

    1. DLGuard

    2. S3 Media Maestro

    3. S3 Media Vault

    DLGuard is priced at $147 whereas S3 Media Maestro and S3 Media Vault are priced at $27.

    Will, as you mentioned I am not going to be too concerned about the free-loaders. As you mentioned, if people really do want to find a way to distribute the content freely, they will find a way.

    What I want to do from my end is to make sure that I put in recent safeguards in place so that it isn't too easy.

    Any thoughts on the above options?
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    • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
      Originally Posted by Jenna619 View Post

      Just keep checking all the Black hat forums and send messages that you need all your PDF and product links taken down.
      What?????

      Thats like saying "How do I know if someone has broken into my house and stolen all my stuff? ..."Oh just drive home from work every 30 minutes and look".

      Ridiculous.

      Besides, do you REALLY believe that someone over at one of those black hat sites is going to take your request SERIOUSLY?

      Originally Posted by yourreviewer View Post

      I will be charging just a one time fee but I do see the potential of changing it to a membership site.
      The issue isnt so much about protection, (although thats still important) but moreso, it lies with your payment strategy.

      Change it to a recurring payment system.

      Let me ask you something. When people access your materials, your pdfs, videos and so on, is it likely that they'll .... a) have questions b) need additional help

      If so, theres your membership model.

      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      I personally hate membership sites that do not allow you to download the audios and videos you have purchased. Besides, if someone really wants to share your stuff they can do it regardless.
      Agreed.

      Originally Posted by yourreviewer View Post

      1. DLGuard
      I use DLGuard, and recommend it highly. Dont cut corners on cost. Its worth $147 all day.

      However, if you're running a membership system, you may not need to use it all.
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    Oh ...and here's another tip.

    Create all of your products so that they all have a call to action that points people back to your membership site.

    This way even if they are stolen and distributed freely on the net, there may just be a chance that people will see the value in your offerings and come join your membership as a paid member.

    Bottom line - its almost impossible to stop theft online.
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    • Profile picture of the author yourreviewer
      Originally Posted by John Romaine View Post

      Oh ...and here's another tip.

      Create all of your products so that they all have a call to action that points people back to your membership site.

      This way even if they are stolen and distributed freely on the net, there may just be a chance that people will see the value in your offerings and come join your membership as a paid member.

      Bottom line - its almost impossible to stop theft online.
      Thanks John. I see that you recommend DL Guard and I don't mind investing the amount but I am trying to figure out what DLGuard can do that the S3 Media Vault and S3 Media Maestro can't do.
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    • Profile picture of the author CollegeCEO
      Originally Posted by John Romaine View Post


      Bottom line - its almost impossible to stop theft online.
      This is the sad truth.
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  • Profile picture of the author ErikNilsson
    My opinion

    Code:
    Nothing is secure here on Internet
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    • Profile picture of the author Newbieee
      I use S3.

      Anyways, its a balance.

      Yes you cant prevent it if they are bent on doing it.
      But it doesnt mean you dont do anything within your reasonable means.

      Allow people to download, but leave link back to your site.

      Dont short change your normal law abiding customers for those few spoilers.
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  • Profile picture of the author yourreviewer
    I guess I forgot to mention a couple of things.

    1. I would like to protect the Thank You page- the page that the customers will see after making a payment on Clickbank. So in other words, I don't want the Thank you page to be shared because all they would need to do is to enter the name and email and have immediate access to the product without even paying for it.

    2. Second would be the download page. Basically it is a dashboard that has a number of modules to access pdfs, audios and videos. Again I am more concerned about protecting the download page (in other words again I don't want someone to directly access content by having the URL).

    I will be offering all the materials for download. And as many of you mentioned, you can't stop your products from being downloaded and distributed. I am less concerned with this.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
      Originally Posted by yourreviewer View Post

      1. I would like to protect the Thank You page- the page that the customers will see after making a payment on Clickbank. So in other words, I don't want the Thank you page to be shared because all they would need to do is to enter the name and email and have immediate access to the product without even paying for it.
      There is no download page. DLGuard handles this automatically. Its completely hidden. Even if someone does share the page they download from, its completely useless to someone else.

      Originally Posted by yourreviewer View Post

      2. Second would be the download page. Basically it is a dashboard that has a number of modules to access pdfs, audios and videos. Again I am more concerned about protecting the download page (in other words again I don't want someone to directly access content by having the URL).
      See above.
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  • Profile picture of the author icemonkey9
    While you might not be able to stop theft altogther, I think SOME effort is worthwhile. ALSO - with Amazon S3 you get charged per bandwidth so you'd actually be paying for someone to pirate your goods. That sucks.

    I looked at all the options since I am looking too... I think, hands down, that S3 Media Maestro is the best. It comes with an HTML5 player (so iPad/iPhone works), it's secure, can do video and other media... and the DEVELOPER license is $27 so you can use it on all your sites at that cost.
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  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    Even cb activated software nulled by bh sites. Too bad for the poor dudes who use those - their sites or pcs might be turned into attack sites or pcs.
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  • Profile picture of the author Alessandro Zamboni
    After some years, and some great advices by gurus, I comprehended it's useless to spend time and money on protection. Who downloads our ebooks/software/courses will never buy anything, at first, and then we do the same sales with or without that solutions.

    We must just aim at quality. Because more quality means more sales. Stop!

    Thanks and see you soon,
    Alessandro
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  • Profile picture of the author John Romaine
    If you're willing to pay, and would rather someone else set it all up for you, PM me.
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