Are Ebook Security Programs
All They’re Cracked Up To Be?
©2004 Viki Nygaard
Reprint Instructions: This
article may be reprinted freely with bylines and hyperlinked URLs.
Ebook authors these days seem to be highly focused
on ebook security. Stories run rampant about customers who share
ebook files on the Internet and via email. Then there are the
ones who buy your ebook and attempt to sell it themselves for
a profit, or ask for a refund, but continue to use your ebook.
These situations can result in thousands of dollars in lost profit
for you.
There are currently several products on the market
that can help you control the distribution of your ebook. These
programs use a technology called “IP tracking.” IP
tracking is based on the fact that each computer connected to
the Internet is identified by a unique string of numbers called
an IP address. When using IP tracking, the buyer of your product
has to enter either a username and password or a license code
to open the product the first time they use it. When they do this,
their IP address is recorded and sent to your online control panel.
If an ebook is shared with others who have not purchased
it, the same thing happens. You are alerted because two or more
(depending on how often it’s been shared) IP addresses will
show up in connection with the same ebook. This signals to you
that your ebook is possibly being illegally shared or pirated,
and your online control panel gives you the ability to instantly
deactivate any or all copies associated with the IP address. You
can also use this method to deactivate ebooks when a buyer requests
a refund.
Let’s take a look at the three most popular
programs that use IP Tracking.
ClickLocker is a program that you lease on a month-to-month
basis. It can be integrated with ANY ebook software. After purchasing
your ebook, the buyer is directed to a page where they are prompted
to enter their name and email to register the product. At this
time, the buyer’s email, name, IP address and host name
are captured and recorded by ClickLocker. When they’ve completed
the registration process, the buyer is immediately provided with
a license code that is needed to unlock and use the product. This
is only necessary the first time the customer uses your product.
ClickLocker does not prevent illegal users from
unlocking the product. Instead, it simply lets you log in and
check statistics. If too many people (measured by unique IPs)
are using the product, then you can terminate that code (therefore
everyone using the "pirated" code will no longer have
access). This allows you to have full control, and terminate licenses
that YOU believe are violating your terms.
Pros:
-
You can use it for an unlimited amount of ebooks
for one price.
-
It easily integrates with any ebook software
as well as any payment processor.
-
The buyer is immediately given their license
code.
-
You will pay a monthly fee for as long as you
want to track your products.
-
You must log into your control panel from time
to time to scan for and deactivate abusers.
-
Only works on PC’s running Windows.
The Virtual Vault has several features in common
with ClickLocker. Both track IP addresses. Both allow the purchaser
to receive an access code that unlocks the software or ebook.
Both work on any ebook software or software product, and both
offer protection of unlimited products for one monthly fee. However,
there is one vital difference between ClickLocker and Virtual
Vault.
Unlike ClickLocker, with Virtual Vault someone who
has not paid for your product and received their own, individual
access code can't even open the product. You don’t have
to worry with logging into your control panel periodically and
scanning lists of buyers for those who might be in violation.
The protection of your product is instantaneous and automatic.
Even if a buyer emails someone else the download
link and the access code they received when your product was purchased,
your product will be useless to the violator because it won't
accept the access code.
Pros:
-
You can use it for an unlimited amount of ebooks
for one price.
-
It easily integrates with any EXE or PDF file.
-
The buyer is immediately given their license
code.
-
Your product is safe from violators automatically.
Ebook Pro is an ebook compiler that you purchase
outright. It comes with a built-in security system that allows
you to track your licenses in much the same way as ClickLocker.
Instead of receiving a license code, buyers receive a username
and password that unlock the ebook the first time it is used.
You set the system up so that the buyer is allowed to unlock the
ebook a specified number of times (to allow for re-installation
after a system crash, the buying of a new computer, etc.). If
they exceed that number, the system will not allow them to register
the product anymore, meaning it cannot be shared or copied.
As with ClickLocker, you can log into your online
control panel at any time to do administrative tasks such as disabling
or reactivating a license or changing the amount of registration
times.
Pros:
-
You are limited to using the Ebook Pro software
to compile your ebooks.
-
Only comes with 1000 registration codes. Once
those are used, you have to purchase more.
-
Delivery of your ebook and license code to the
buyer is not automatic. It appears that you either have to purchase
their MailLoop
program, set up an online database, or process delivery
manually.
-
Only works with Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher
and can only be used on PC’s running Windows.
While the ability to track downloads and deactivate copies appears
to be ideal, there are also some downsides to this method.
1. It can be time consuming. Time is
money. And you can be assured that you will be spending time tracking
your ebooks as well as doing other administrative tasks.
2. It can flag legitimate uses. Many people
own several computers, often both a PC and a laptop. It’s
very possible that your buyers might want to install the ebook on
both systems, which will in turn show that multiple IP addresses
are being used for one ebook.
3. People will no doubt need to reinstall the
ebook at some point. It could be that they’ve bought
a new computer or they’ve had a crash and need to reinstall.
4. Privacy issue. People generally do
not like to be tracked.
As you can see, IP tracking can be a powerful tool to help you
control the distribution of your ebook. It’s not cheap, but
in the long run it may save you the frustration and expense of having
your ebook illegally shared or stolen. However, when making your
decision, be sure to weigh the pros and cons. While you may save
some money by preventing pirated copies, if you aren’t careful,
you could also end up damaging your reputation by disabling legitimate
copies or entering the ever-growing battle of privacy rights.
| Want
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