image theft......

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tom Gahagan
  • Start date Start date
T

Tom Gahagan

I remembered seeing a post a few days ( weeks ?) ago about preventing right
click to get an image. Check out the script at:

http://dynamicdrive.com/

that will prevent image theft.

I stumbled on it while on a site about digital photography. When I right
clicked on a image... I got a messagebox that said.... Please contact the
photographer for information on this image. lol! ......boy was I
surprised! :)

The site webmaster referred me to this page. Thought I would pass it along.
I've not used it yet but it DID work on that page. Anyway... hope it helps.

Tom Gahagan
eThomaston.com
 
You are sadly mistaken. While it is somewhat possible to prevent the context
menu from popping up when you right-click in a page (in fact, there is even
a simple way to get the context menu despite such a script), preventing
right-click doesn't prevent image theft. Only the most ignorant of users
don't know this. Anyone with a smattering of HTML and browser knowledge
knows how to get around this. As a result, any page which uses this
disabling feature only makes the designer look like a rank amateur.

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
http://www.takempis.com
Big Things are made up of
Lots of Little Things.
 
Tom said:
I remembered seeing a post a few days ( weeks ?) ago about preventing right
click to get an image. Check out the script at:

http://dynamicdrive.com/

that will prevent image theft.

I stumbled on it while on a site about digital photography. When I right
clicked on a image... I got a messagebox that said.... Please contact the
photographer for information on this image. lol! ......boy was I
surprised! :)

The site webmaster referred me to this page. Thought I would pass it along.
I've not used it yet but it DID work on that page. Anyway... hope it helps.

Tom Gahagan
eThomaston.com
Click to expand...

No it didn't.

Go back to that same site, disable Javascript, then try right clicking
on the image. SURPRISE, you can save it just like normal.

OR: Empty your cache/Temp. Internet files, then browse to that site again.

Now look in yor temp internet files, SURPRISE again The image will be
there, with some oddball name. Just rename it.

Once an image is on the web, anyone can use it.
 
< slap > < slam > < slap>

Ok Kevin.... Fine.... whatever.......

In fact this script WILL keep the casual thief from taking a photo but you
are right.... any determined hacker can get around just about ANY security
measure. I just assumed that most, if not all know this.

...... a bit strong of a reaction to this simple post don't you think? You
are ripping me apart and all I am trying to do is help and this is the
second time you've taken this track with me. So what is up?

Tom Gahagan
 
"Paul S. Wolf" wrote in message
No it didn't.
Click to expand...
Pretty strange.... I don't remember you being at my house last night when it
did! :)

I guess what I experienced was just not real.

Go back to that same site, disable Javascript, then try right clicking
on the image. SURPRISE, you can save it just like normal.

OR: Empty your cache/Temp. Internet files, then browse to that site again.

Now look in yor temp internet files, SURPRISE again The image will be
there, with some oddball name. Just rename it.

Once an image is on the web, anyone can use it.

--
Click to expand...

Yea... yea.. yea... Like I said to Kevin.. it is really meant to stop the
casual thief. A determined or knowledgable person will always know a way
around. Like right now there just might be someone reading your hard drive!
:)

Cheesh..............

Tom G
 
Hi Victoria....

Thanks for the link...... I'll pass it on to Paul and Kevin who seemed to
react in horror at my post. :) Really just trying to pass on some info.....
not bring out the wrath of..... whomever.

Tom Gahagan
eThomaston.com
 
No it didn't.
Click to expand...
Hummmmmm.... I really don't remember you being at my home that night Paul.
:)
So it must just have been a flash back from my mis-spent youth?

Go back to that same site, disable Javascript, then try right clicking
on the image. SURPRISE, you can save it just like normal.

OR: Empty your cache/Temp. Internet files, then browse to that site again.

Now look in yor temp internet files, SURPRISE again The image will be
there, with some oddball name. Just rename it.
Click to expand...

Yea..Yea...Yea.... everyone knows that ANY measure can be overcome. < snore
Again, the script is meant to keep out a casual thief. A determined person
Click to expand...
could even be reading your hard disk right now!

Lighten up.... it was just a little offer of help.

Tom Gahagan
 
Tom- I'm not here to fight anyone else's battle or to
apologize for others seeming "harshness" to your offer of
an image protection script. Just want to point out that if
all you are worried about is your own ability to copy info
from the web and don't mind the other inconveniences that
"no right click" scripts impose on some visitors, then
certainly go ahead and use those types of scripts.

But if you look at the page that Victoria kindly submitted
you will notice those no right click scripts are considered
"a huge waste of time". This is well known by experienced
web builders who may have also been trying to save time for
the inexperienced by posting here.

You may think you are stopping most users from copying but
in fact it would only take one savvy visitor to copy and
reuse your image(s) on a site elsewhere and your protection
is blown -even among those who may not know the dozen or so
easy ways to overcome that script on your own site.

This issue comes up so frequently on this and many other
help groups and the answer is always the same. Don't
depend on no right click scripts to protect anything you
value on the web. A few months back someone wrote a tongue
in cheek response to the same kind of question to this
newsgroup by suggesting the use of the <NOCOPY> </NOCOPY>
tag. That will work about as well as those scripts but
should at least give you a laugh.
 
I think the key here is that a person who wants the image may not be a
"casual" user. He just may be someone who wants the image, and will obtain
it.

--
------------------------------
Tom Pepper Willett
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage
------------------------------
| Tom- I'm not here to fight anyone else's battle or to
| apologize for others seeming "harshness" to your offer of
| an image protection script. Just want to point out that if
| all you are worried about is your own ability to copy info
| from the web and don't mind the other inconveniences that
| "no right click" scripts impose on some visitors, then
| certainly go ahead and use those types of scripts.
|
| But if you look at the page that Victoria kindly submitted
| you will notice those no right click scripts are considered
| "a huge waste of time". This is well known by experienced
| web builders who may have also been trying to save time for
| the inexperienced by posting here.
|
| You may think you are stopping most users from copying but
| in fact it would only take one savvy visitor to copy and
| reuse your image(s) on a site elsewhere and your protection
| is blown -even among those who may not know the dozen or so
| easy ways to overcome that script on your own site.
|
| This issue comes up so frequently on this and many other
| help groups and the answer is always the same. Don't
| depend on no right click scripts to protect anything you
| value on the web. A few months back someone wrote a tongue
| in cheek response to the same kind of question to this
| newsgroup by suggesting the use of the <NOCOPY> </NOCOPY>
| tag. That will work about as well as those scripts but
| should at least give you a laugh.
|
|
| >-----Original Message-----
| >
| >"Paul S. Wolf" wrote in message
| >>
| >> No it didn't.
| >>
| >Pretty strange.... I don't remember you being at my house
| last night when it
| >did! :)
| >
| >I guess what I experienced was just not real.
| >
| >
| >> Go back to that same site, disable Javascript, then try
| right clicking
| >> on the image. SURPRISE, you can save it just like normal.
| >>
| >> OR: Empty your cache/Temp. Internet files, then browse
| to that site again.
| >>
| >> Now look in yor temp internet files, SURPRISE again The
| image will be
| >> there, with some oddball name. Just rename it.
| >>
| >> Once an image is on the web, anyone can use it.
| >>
| >> --
| >
| >Yea... yea.. yea... Like I said to Kevin.. it is really
| meant to stop the
| >casual thief. A determined or knowledgable person will
| always know a way
| >around. Like right now there just might be someone reading
| your hard drive!
| >:)
| >
| >Cheesh..............
| >
| >Tom G
| >
| >
| >
| >
| >> Paul S. Wolf, P.E.
| mailto:p[email protected]
| >>
| >
| >
| >
| >.
| >
 
Hi Tom,

I can certainly see how you might perceive my message as "ripping you
apart," but believe me, that wasn't my intention. So, let me explain myself
and see if I can regain your good graces.

This issue popus up about 3 times a week here, and the bottom line is, there
is no way to keep anyone from copying images in a web page. Anyone that
tells anyone otherwise is giving them bad advice, as the person who asks
about it knows next to nothing about HTML and browsers, and is counting on
the advice given to them to protect their images. Therefore, anyone that
advises them that it is possible to prevent image theft on a web site is
giving them wrong advice, which, if followed, will result in their images
being snatched. Once an image file is copied, regardless of the original
source, it can be recopied and distributed elsewhere, just like a virus.

The argument you made, that it prevents the "casual thief" from taking
images has been put forth many times before, and is a purely subjective
opinion. Think of it this way: There are people who are foolish enough to
believe that if they can't afford an alarm system for their house, they can
simply put up stickers on their windows to make people THINK that their
house is protected by an alarm system. In fact, it WILL prevent SOME people
from tryint to break into their house. However, I doubt that you would
disagree that their house is still in serious danger of being robbed.

The idea that making people THINK that images are protected is, again, not
only subjective, but mistaken as well. It is based upon the experience of
the person who puts it forth, who, if they were experienced, wouldn't even
have that opinion. You'd be surprised how much children (for example) know
about the Internet that their parents have no clue about.

And again, once a picture has been copied, it can be distributed, and God
alone knows where it may end up.

I also want to help them to put forth the most professional image in their
web presence that is possible. Again, a site which prevents right-clicking
is advertising its' author as an ignorant non-professional. That's not good
for business, which is the purpose of most web sites.

So, whenever someone advises someone else that they can protect images in
any way, I strongly correct them, not out of hostility to the person (like
yourself, who I understand are trying to help), but for the benefit of the
person who asked the question, and anyone else who may be listening in.

Personally, I appreciate your helpful attitude, and hope that you will
forgive me for any perceived offense.

--
HTH,

Kevin Spencer
Microsoft MVP
..Net Developer
http://www.takempis.com
Big Things are made up of
Lots of Little Things.
 
check this out:
http://digimark.com/
they've got a technology where a crawler goes out and looks for your stolen
images on other people's websites. you can then threaten, prosecute, or
extort from the offenders.
this might be something interesting to you. it's sufficiently high end that
no one will make fun of you ;-)
still, I don't know how secure it is. I'd be willing to bet that if I did a
screen shot and maybe put some effects on the picture that the hidden
watermark will be obfuscated.
basically any picture that you put on the web is fair game. I mean hell, MS
spends tons of money and time trying to keep people from ripping off their
software and still hackers find a way to do it.
on the web, it seems, nothing is sacred.
 
I think the key here is that a person who wants the
image may not be a
"casual" user. He just may be someone who wants the
image, and will obtain it.
Click to expand...

Print screen and simply dragging the image into Paint Shop/Photoshop are
also work-arounds for the right click disabling method.

As an aside, it drives me right up the wall when people disable my right
click. I use my right click for other things - opening pages in new windows
etc (I know shift-click works, but sometimes I'd rather right click). It
gets on my nerves to see a popup say that I can't use windows functionality.

And what about people who want to save your images for their own use?
They'll just move on.

MS
 
Note: a web site can block the digimarc robot from snooping!

--

==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, Forums, WebCircle,
MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================
 
Thanks macuser........

I've not had time to do anything but "favorite" the site she suggested but I
will give it a look.

Man I really did not mean to open Pandora's box with this... I just
remembered a post on the site here and all the answers were that it could
just not be done.... so when I saw that there was at least SOMETHING that
might be done I was just trying to pass it on.

I'm posting some photo's each week on my companies web site that I want to
protect from casual theft myself. I'm pretty new to F page but I've been
around this biz for a while. Of course I understood when I posted that there
is ALWAYS a way around anything. I guess I should have explained that all
but really thought it unnecessary and more info that was needed for the
purpose of the post.

So I guess future posts will come with a disclaimer! < vbg >

Naw... just kidding.

Thanks again for the response and the direction. I'm always open to learning
and hope I always stay that way!

Best to you.....
Tom Gahagan
eThomaston.com
 
Hi Kevin... thanks for the response......
I can certainly see how you might perceive my message as "ripping you
apart," but believe me, that wasn't my intention.
Good....

and see if I can regain your good graces.
Click to expand...

Oh man..... no need for that.... I mean I appreciate the attitude and all I
was really just not quite getting what I may have do to illicit this type of
response from you. I live by an ethic of forgiveness as I want others to
This issue popus up about 3 times a week here, and the bottom line is, there
is no way to keep anyone from copying images in a web page. Anyone that
tells anyone otherwise is giving them bad advice,
Click to expand...

Yea... I'm realizing that I hit a recuring nerve quite by accident. I should
do a better job keeping up with the posts. The deal is this....... I'm not
new to the internet, web, etc but I am new to F page (a former devout
dreamweaver person) and since my recent purchase of a web hosting company
that exculsivly used F page with all of it's clients I had to get up to
speed quickly so I came here for help and got it. So where I've been able...
I've tried to answer some questions to help spread the joy. A few about asp
and database stuff ( my strength) and just happened to remember the post
about the images. I had taken the answers that were given as gospell.....
and then ran into a site where right clicking was disabled. So I eamiled the
webmaster and he gave me the directions to the link that I posted. He was
clear to point out that it was not fool proof but it, at least was
something. I guess in truth I should have been MORE explicit in my post in
explaining that.
I also want to help them to put forth the most professional image in their
web presence that is possible. Again, a site which prevents right-clicking
is advertising its' author as an ignorant non-professional. That's not good
for business, which is the purpose of most web sites.
Click to expand...

I'll give this some more thought.... I'm not so sure I agree with the non
professional image message (off the top of my head I wonder just "who" would
get that message.... perhaps someone of your standing,,, yes but most
users.... I'm not so sure.... but again... something worth thinking about!)
but I give your opinion the full consideration that your experience and
postition deserves.


Anyway..... we are cool....... I know that you answer a LOT of posts and the
you and Thomas Rowe (and I am sure a lot of other! )do a really great work
here. Over the years I've been active in other forums (programming) some
good and some really bad.... and this one ranks right up there for both the
quickness of the responses and the quality. So thanks for all that you
do........ hummmmm sounds like a beer commercial.... :)

Tom Gahagan
 
Hi Chris.......

Thanks for the link.......

I'm really do not want to get that involved but I really appreciated your
looking out for my interests. I really think that the folks that I will be
blocking are REAL casual users and it's not that my images are so
professional or anything... in truth I'm just getting started with the whole
digital photography thing..... but locally in my area..... I am going to be
taking some of the images that are now on the web site and in a few months
putting them together in a screen saver and offer them to try and make a few
bucks and help raise some money for our local high school band. Not big time
by any means < vbg > but I do want to be a little bit wary.

Anyway..... I really do appreciate all the learning that came my way. Seems
I un-intentionally hit a nerve....( I guess you guys really get tired of
answering this question a gazillion times a week! :) ) but in the end.....
I learned a lot...... and I hope some others lurking did too! :)

Best to you......
Tom Gahagan
 
Hi Tom,

Welcome to the club! I asked the same question just a few weeks ago on
another discussion group for FP.
Another pandora's box !! We may keep asking the same question each week,
but the brew-ha-ha is just as loud each time. :)

Decided not to do the right-click thing. As I use my right click all the
time for things not illegal. Adding the transparent gif over the top of an
image sounded pretty good.
But actually the item stolen from my site was a table/chart of equipment
that I had put together. It was highlighted, copied and pasted right into
another web site.

Angelika's Yarn Store
http://www.burles.com on the Southern Oregon Coast
541-759-3975
 
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