Do you secure or lock your e books?

38 replies
Hey everyone,

I was going through a few e books on my computer tonight and noticed that the majority of them are "unlocked" and have no security from being stolen at all! I also have some e books from a well known "guru" and most of his stuff is secure.

Do you think it's important to lock your pdf files so nobody can copy them? I personally feel it is. What do you guys think? I suppose with the right software you can crack the security, but I just think your product should be secure so that it would make it that much harder.
#books #lock #secure
  • Just my two cents thought. If you intend to sell the ebook, then it is worth doing the locking (but may be not in all cases). If you want to share freely, then why do that. If you are concern of people copying the content, with the advancement in copywriting, there seems to be no way of stopping that. Also, locking it may have some complications too. For example, the person who bought your ebook might need help for unlocking for whatever reason.

    In conclusion, make it simple...don't lock it. Only if you see any advantage in doing so, then lock it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    I usually protect my ebooks from being copied. On higher priced ones I also secure them with a password, but on lower cost ones I generally don't worry about it most of the time.
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    • Profile picture of the author George Sepich
      Don't bother. Anybody that is really motivated will succeed in copying your stuff or sharing its download link, or even just reposting any of the good content, most others won't care.

      Focus on selling. Make sure you put an offer inside whatever you are selling so there is always a backend. That alone will probably make up for lost sales.

      Focus on selling. We live in a digital world. Pick up your bits and bytes and pieces and move forward.

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      • Profile picture of the author zerofill
        Originally Posted by George Sepich View Post

        Don't bother. Anybody that is really motivated will succeed in copying your stuff or sharing its download link, or even just reposting any of the good content, most others won't care.

        Focus on selling. Make sure you put an offer inside whatever you are selling so there is always a backend. That alone will probably make up for lost sales.

        Focus on selling. We live in a digital world. Pick up your bits and bytes and pieces and move forward.

        George
        Dead on...

        here is the deal...
        Think about it...

        The people that tend to pirate your stuff...they will find a way no matter what. If it is a PDF your wasting your time trying to protect it period. Password protection won't work, marking the transaction receipt appear in the pdf, or some other crap...won't work... Their going to crack the password in 2 minutes and if you have stuff marked in it all over they are just going to convert it to a document and remove it and recreate the PDF.

        Your trying to protect your PDF from people that won't buy it anyway...people that trade this stuff as a hobby or whatever...they already know how to get around everything you are going to throw at them...so don't waste your time. Just spend your energy selling, promoting, creating...

        You see...most of the people that do it do it for some strange form of fun...most of them don't have a clue about how to make money online in any long term sense.

        If it is software, protect it...force them to at least have to crack it...that is a lot harder... Protecting a PDF is a waste of time.

        Just like one of the other people here said...they like to print the PDF out and in most cases I do too...why I have a laser printer...As techie as I tend to be I still can't stand reading a PDF on a computer for some reason...(unless it is like 300 pages then I am not printing it lol) So preventing people from printing it will just piss a bunch of customers off.
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        • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
          Originally Posted by George Sepich View Post

          Don't bother. Anybody that is really motivated will succeed in copying your stuff or sharing its download link, or even just reposting any of the good content, most others won't care.

          Focus on selling. Make sure you put an offer inside whatever you are selling so there is always a backend. That alone will probably make up for lost sales.
          George
          It takes 2 seconds to prevent copying or to add a password, it's not like it's a big chore that takes away from selling efforts.

          Originally Posted by zerofill View Post

          Your trying to protect your PDF from people that won't buy it anyway...people that trade this stuff as a hobby or whatever...they already know how to get around everything you are going to throw at them...so don't waste your time. Just spend your energy selling, promoting, creating....
          Not necessarily. Some that try to copy it are doing so to make it into their own product and sell it. Why make it easier for them? It may not stop everyone, but it does stop some, they just go looking for an easier target.

          Like I said, it takes 2 seconds, it's not a bother, it's silly to think that takes any effort away from marketing at all. It makes no sense to me to just give in and not at least make it harder when it takes so little effort.
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          • Profile picture of the author zerofill
            Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

            Not necessarily. Some that try to copy it are doing so to make it into their own product and sell it. Why make it easier for them? It may not stop everyone, but it does stop some, they just go looking for an easier target.
            The point I was trying to make is...if it is a PDF...it's easy for them anyway. Which is why we don't bother...
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          • Profile picture of the author searchnology
            Yeah, like everyone says...the people who want to steal it will steal it anyway...might as well make it more convenient for those that are honest buyers....

            Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

            It takes 2 seconds to prevent copying or to add a password, it's not like it's a big chore that takes away from selling efforts.



            Not necessarily. Some that try to copy it are doing so to make it into their own product and sell it. Why make it easier for them? It may not stop everyone, but it does stop some, they just go looking for an easier target.

            Like I said, it takes 2 seconds, it's not a bother, it's silly to think that takes any effort away from marketing at all. It makes no sense to me to just give in and not at least make it harder when it takes so little effort.
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      • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
        Originally Posted by George Sepich View Post

        Don't bother. Anybody that is really motivated will succeed in copying your stuff or sharing its download link, or even just reposting any of the good content, most others won't care.

        Focus on selling. Make sure you put an offer inside whatever you are selling so there is always a backend. That alone will probably make up for lost sales.

        Focus on selling. We live in a digital world. Pick up your bits and bytes and pieces and move forward.

        George

        Your real customers aren't looking for ways to get your best stuff for
        free. The people who are ready to pay for proprietary information
        are not in the same mental mode as those looking to track down
        pirated versions of same.

        It's not so much an issue of protection, it's a matter of the psychology
        of the buying mind. That sound pretentious, but the way a sale
        happens is not by the customer weighing every possible alternative
        in the universe, including the "track it down for free" or "research
        free alternatives" options.

        The authentic customer is not thinking about the costs to himself,
        but the benefits he will reap from the product. This is a subtle
        distinction but critical to selling. Your real customer is not an
        internet-research ninja who knows all about torrent sites - he is
        a person with a problem that he wants to solve and move past
        quickly - and he is willing and able to pay you for your help.

        Don't worry about those who are not your customer. They
        won't be buying from you anyway.
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  • Profile picture of the author robvegas626
    Secure them with a password. If you're using software like Adobe Professional, it takes about three seconds to do it! Why not. I'm all for taking any extra measures possible to thwart my e-books being shared on torrent sites.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Worner
    Hate to burst your bubble guys but I am a guy who likes to read my books on paper, not a screen, and it is exceptionally easy to crack the pdf and only takes a few seconds to a minute with the right program.
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeGriffith
    If you're using your ebook for promotional purposes, by all means, Don't lock it. If you wrote it correctly it's full of links back to your site and your products and services, and you want it to get into the hands of as many people as possible.
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    • Profile picture of the author All Night Cafe
      I secure mind with a password always. Too many
      thieves. Plain and simple.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
    Password protecting ebooks does one thing and one thing only. It pisses off most purchasers.

    If someone is going to pirate your ebook, they are going to send the password with it.

    Add some affiliate links or up-sells in every ebook you sell and keep your fingers crossed the pirates get it and give out tons of them on the torrents and pirate boards.

    Re's
    Rob Whisonant
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  • Profile picture of the author James12C
    I password protected some eBooks, but it was hassly when buyers forgot, couldn't work it etc etc.

    I don't bother now.... just lock the car....


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  • Profile picture of the author Keith Choy
    hi scrofford,

    Personally, the most I did is to disable "copy" for my PDFs. However, this is still not secured enough as it can easily be worked around. For example, a person can use freely available tools to convert to Word/Text or just print and re-scan it to Word/Text.

    So in my more recent copy, I don't do any protection anymore. Just my 2 cents view!

    - Keith Choy

    PS. Not sure if all the other marketers know this but Word 2007 now can convert Word file into PDF. However, there are no protection in that conversion.
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  • Profile picture of the author netsell
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    • Profile picture of the author Keith Choy
      Originally Posted by netsell View Post

      I usually copy protect my PDFs. That avoids some one ripping off the text and doing a straight cut and paste. For a very high value product I am working on, I've taken it a step further...

      I use Adobe Acrobat Pro Extended for my day job as a writer and lately I've been messing about with multimedia content within a PDF. Using various software packages, it's quite easy to convert a powerpoint into a flash file and embed it into your single-page e-book. Take it easy on the graphics and you'll end up with a PDF under 1MB.

      Why bother with all that messing around? You've created a flash e-book, the text of which cannot be copied and which plays from within the PDF "wrapper" of your e-book.

      Have a think about other uses for the multimedia capability. The e-book bar has just been raised.
      Hey Craig,

      I didn't thought of "protecting" PDF that way! Really interesting..

      - Keith Choy
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  • Profile picture of the author marley
    I used to password protect PDF's with the buyers email address. However, they just use unlocking software to remove this security feature and hey presto you have been rapidshared. This usually corresponds with a drop in sales so you know something is up.
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  • Profile picture of the author sparkle_debby02
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    • Profile picture of the author holla22
      It sounds to me that not one of you have considered using ebook pro. It is what I would consider the best way to sell your ebooks securely.

      You can generate usernames and passwords, disable books on the demand and much more. I highly recommend it!

      I bought my copy of the software a few years back and never had anything stolen. It also works great for viral promotions.

      I have even written my own script to send out the usernames and passwords to customers, this saves me the costs of buying mailloop to be able to send out the username and passwords. Mailloop is too expensive!!! But the price for ebook pro is worth it.

      Have a look at their website eBook Publishing Software: Make money online with eBook Pro the original creator was Corey Rudl from marketingtips.com here is 'n link to other products on their site Internet Marketing Tools, Products, and Services – Marketing Tips

      for those of you who don't know the legend Corey Rudl here is a memorial link Corey Rudl: You Will be Missed. Thanks for all your training and teaching help.

      Oh ya, I have to mention one more function and that is you can disable printing and people won't even be able use a print screen function. You can learn more from their sites.

      Hope I was helpfull?

      Thanks
      Morné
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      • Profile picture of the author Christophe Young
        Originally Posted by holla22 View Post

        It sounds to me that not one of you have considered using ebook pro. It is what I would consider the best way to sell your ebooks securely.

        You can generate usernames and passwords, disable books on the demand and much more. I highly recommend it!

        I bought my copy of the software a few years back and never had anything stolen. It also works great for viral promotions.

        I have even written my own script to send out the usernames and passwords to customers, this saves me the costs of buying mailloop to be able to send out the username and passwords. Mailloop is too expensive!!! But the price for ebook pro is worth it.

        Have a look at their website eBook Publishing Software: Make money online with eBook Pro the original creator was Corey Rudl from marketingtips.com here is 'n link to other products on their site Internet Marketing Tools, Products, and Services – Marketing Tips

        for those of you who don't know the legend Corey Rudl here is a memorial link Corey Rudl: You Will be Missed. Thanks for all your training and teaching help.

        Oh ya, I have to mention one more function and that is you can disable printing and people won't even be able use a print screen function. You can learn more from their sites.

        Hope I was helpfull?

        Thanks
        Morné
        Nice to finally see someone else here using Ebook Pro. I am too and have NEVER had any problems. And once a customer enters their password, it's registered and done. They never need the password again unless they want to register on an additional computer. No headaches!

        I don't get why more people don't use software like Ebook Pro. Yah, if you want to keep having your ebook stolen, just stick with PDF versions.
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      • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
        Originally Posted by holla22 View Post

        It sounds to me that not one of you have considered using ebook pro. It is what I would consider the best way to sell your ebooks securely.
        Totally obnoxious software, imo. If it works for you, great,
        but I wouldn't subject my customers to it.


        If your information is so valuable and proprietary you feel
        obliged to make your customers jump through hoops, make
        them jump through a hoop of waiting to get it in the mail
        and paying return postage if they don't like it... and if they
        really want to share it, scanning it by hand.

        Problem solved.
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        • Profile picture of the author Christophe Young
          Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye View Post

          Totally obnoxious software, imo. If it works for you, great,
          but I wouldn't subject my customers to it.
          Why do you find it obnoxious?

          I've been using it to sell ebooks for a long time and I've never had ONE complaint from a customer.

          Try it out and you might be surprised.
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  • Profile picture of the author johnpetrov
    you can secure the pdf - sure no problem. But I bet you'll get tons of emails from your customers:
    "what is my password?"
    "I haven't received a password - this is scam"
    "please refund my money - the password is not working"

    etc..

    Too much of a hassle for me...
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  • Profile picture of the author Allen Payne
    Usually i personalize every ebook for every buyer so when i find it shared somewhere i know who shared it and makes things a lot easier. Then i let my lawyer take care of the problem.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aira Bongco
    I think it is okay to protect it from being copied but to lock it may not serve your purpose. After all, there will just be one password and once that gets out then your ebook will be open to all. It would be best to have a guarded ebook location. Then have the ebook download with an expiry after a number of downloads. It works for me.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rick45
    Hey there, I know there are some tools with a PDF Converter where you can choose the security level while converting. That's the easiest way to do so.

    cheers Richard
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  • Profile picture of the author Bryan Douglas
    If people like it that much to copy it and pass it around, I would let them.

    You could always go to createspace dot com and sign up to have a hard copy available on amazon/etc., I think it might be a $40 set up fee and promote that on the back end.

    In a sense, they would be promoting your book for you.
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    • Profile picture of the author scrofford
      Originally Posted by Bryan Douglas View Post

      If people like it that much to copy it and pass it around, I would let them.

      You could always go to createspace dot com and sign up to have a hard copy available on amazon/etc., I think it might be a $40 set up fee and promote that on the back end.

      In a sense, they would be promoting your book for you.
      Hey Bryan thanks for the tip! I never knew about Createspace! I checked it out and I may use them in the future! That's pretty cool!
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  • Profile picture of the author badboy_Nick
    Originally Posted by scrofford View Post

    Hey everyone,

    I was going through a few e books on my computer tonight and noticed that the majority of them are "unlocked" and have no security from being stolen at all! I also have some e books from a well known "guru" and most of his stuff is secure.

    Do you think it's important to lock your pdf files so nobody can copy them? I personally feel it is. What do you guys think? I suppose with the right software you can crack the security, but I just think your product should be secure so that it would make it that much harder.
    Yep, most of my ebooks have a password. This doesnt stop piracy but it does help a little bit IMO. I know that most people don't know how to crack a protected PDF file, so without the password its pretty much useless to share on torrents etc
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
      Never ever put password protection on my PDF books. Why would I want to annoy paying customers and shoot up the refund rate?

      If you're so worried about thieves, sell physical products instead.
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      • Profile picture of the author aaallday2010
        Originally Posted by Kevin Riley View Post

        Never ever put password protection on my PDF books. Why would I want to annoy paying customers and shoot up the refund rate?

        If you're so worried about thieves, sell physical products instead.
        This is so true. I used to password protect my ebooks, but the number of emails i got from customers who forgot the password just wasn't worth it.

        Even though I sent them an email with the password in it, some would still request a refund just for the hassle.

        If your ebook is a low cost ebook (under $50) don't bother. You'll have more headaches if you password protect your ebook.

        Like someone else said, just concentrate on selling.
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        • Profile picture of the author NancyHill
          I've purchased password protected ebooks in the past, and then found myself VERY frustrated when a few months later I try to open the book I spent money on only to find I can't access it because I don't recall the password. Clearly it was my responsibility to remember the password, but it still makes me frustrated with the writer (especially if was an inexpensive ebook to begin with).

          I agree with the others, it's not worth alienating your customers or making their lives more difficult.
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          • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
            Originally Posted by NancyHill View Post

            I've purchased password protected ebooks in the past, and then found myself VERY frustrated when a few months later I try to open the book I spent money on only to find I can't access it because I don't recall the password. Clearly it was my responsibility to remember the password, but it still makes me frustrated with the writer (especially if was an inexpensive ebook to begin with).

            I agree with the others, it's not worth alienating your customers or making their lives more difficult.
            To solve this proplem I've simply retitled them on my own hard-drive as
            "xyz - password: abc" and thus I don't forget the password.... and
            anybody who got a copy would have the password plainly embedded
            in the file name.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sean Fry
    Interesting debate.

    What do you guys think about e-junkie's PDF stamping feature? Seems pretty good.
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    • Profile picture of the author mgkimsal
      Originally Posted by snowtiger View Post

      Interesting debate.

      What do you guys think about e-junkie's PDF stamping feature? Seems pretty good.

      I do custom watermarking of each PDF delivered to my customers, but it's not terribly intrusive. It's basically their username/id, purchase date and a small blurb about the license "Licensed to eat@joes.com" for example.

      Hasn't been overly necessary, but I did find one set of my pdfs floating around on the web (from the thousands of purchases over the last year or so) and I asked the user to stop. He *didn't* but I know who it is now.

      So, I wouldn't bother with passwords or disabling stuff, but the watermarking, if done right, doesn't annoy (and isn't even noticed by) most people.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
        From a customer perspective, keeping track of passwords for eBooks is a pain. It can be enough of a chore to keep track of passwords for different sites and services, and if a seller expects me to keep track of a password for an eBook, that seller is guaranteeing I will not purchase a second eBook from him.

        On top of that, I wonder if people that want to copy your eBook will just see it as more of a challenge? He's got this password-protected? I'll show him!

        I looked at many options before settling on not using password protection. Most means of protection thwart only the real slackers among content thieves while increasing the inconveniences on paying customers. And the paying customers are the ones you should focus on.

        If there is a way to read an eBook, there is a way to copy it. If they can't use copy & paste, there is always print-scan-OCR or screenshot-print-scan-OCR or split screen and retype and so on.

        And the more features you disable, the tougher you make it for buyers. If you can't copy from the document, it makes it harder for the buyer to use the product. You might think, why would anyone but a thief need to copy from my eBook? But, what if I am reviewing your product and want to quote examples from your eBook? What if, as a user, I want to take an insightful paragraph from your eBook and paste it somewhere on my desktop to serve as a reminder? What if I have a question, such as "What did you mean when you wrote..." and then want to copy & paste the statement I am questioning?

        And, if printing is disallowed, people that prefer to print and read their eBooks cannot.

        I think the important thing is to make something as easy as possible for your paying buyers to use. At the end of the day, anyone who is serious about copying your eBook will find a way to do it. Why punish your buyers for that?
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    • Profile picture of the author rondo
      Originally Posted by snowtiger View Post

      Interesting debate.

      What do you guys think about e-junkie's PDF stamping feature? Seems pretty good.
      I think it's a good option for PDF publishers.

      Most of the world's large publishers do lock their ebooks, but they are usually exe files.

      Andrew
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