In this works of technology we can do some amazing thing with the smallest of effort. Did you know that someone could be stealing your WebPages, stealing your intellectual property and even your web design? Someone can take a snapshot or a screenshot, which is simply a photo taken of your screen by their computer. It's quick and easy to take a screenshot; anyone can do it. You don’t have to be a hacker to be a thief. Here's how they do it:
- Own (almost) every computer key board contains a key 'Print Screen' abbreviated as 'PrtScn'. This one key allows anyone sitting at a computer to become a thief of your hard work. They can take your intellectual property and even your web design without you knowing it. When this key is pressed the computer takes a snapshot of the webpage. The image of your screen will be stored on their computer.
- The thief then opens a graphics program such as “Microsoft 'Paint
- He/she then will Simultaneously (at the same time) press the 'CTRL' and 'V' on their keyboard. The computer instantly takes a snapshot and it will appear and be copied into their graphics program. At this point they have just stolen your work.
- The thief will be sure to Click 'File', find 'Save' in the menu, then click 'Save' so that they can have your hard work and call it their own.
- This can also be done on your personal computer to take a snapshot of what ever is on your screen, Microsoft Word document or anything you would want a snapshot of.
- In the box labeled 'File name', create a name for your screenshot - like 'error', or 'my question' - and save the file to your computer's Desktop (you can save it to any folder, just make sure you remember where you put it.)
How to Protect Against PrtScn Screenshots and Protect Your Intellectual Property
Use this JavaScript:
<body onBlur=’window.clipboardData.setData(”Text”, “As long as this page is open your copy/paste functionality has been disabled.”);’>
Copy this JavaScript and paste it into the appropriate text box where you build your site.
This will over-ride (lock) the clipboard (where the information is copied to) whether they tried to copy or not.
This works! When your page (with this JavaScript) is open the clipboard will be disabled. Yes As long as that page is open even in the background, it will prevent any copying and pasting and even Print Screen and paste.
However, there is some bad news here: The only problem is, that it requires Flash Player v6 or higher (not Flash Player 10). Most people don’t have Flash Player. If you don’t have Flash Player this JavaScript will not work for your site.
So that you are aware, this script will no longer work with the newest version of Flash Player (Flash Player 10) See” <http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/fplayer10_security_changes_02.html#head31>
If you don’t have Flash Player You might want to look at some DRM technology. LockLizard - http://www.locklizard.com - prevent use of print screen, screen grabbers, printing, copying and pasting and sending information on to others. You can even specify when information expires. Works with html, images, text and flash, and PDF files.
Of course there are other ways people can steal you property. Even with the proper code and DRM technology somewhere out there is a code, and Aint- DRM technology.
You can do all you can to protect your intellectual property and web design. In the end you just have to hope for the best.
