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 url.
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.
Cons:
- 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.
- If you cancel your service, all of your distributed ebooks immediately
become unlocked.
The Virtual Vault has several features in common with ClickLocker.
Both allow the purchaser to receive an access code that unlocks
the software or ebook. Both work on any EXE or PDF file, 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 the 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:
- Your product is safe from violators automatically, no need
to check your control panel for multiple users.
- The buyer is immediately given their license code via email.
- It can easily be integrated with any payment processor.
- If you cancel your service, any distributed ebooks remain both
secure and useable.
Cons:
- Only works on PC’s running Windows.
- Only works with EXE or PDF files.
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:
- One stop shop for both ebook software with built-in security.
- Ebook is encrypted.
Cons:
- 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
more tips, tactics and resources for creating &
selling your ebooks? Visit http://www.ebook-publishing-tools.com.
Viki has put together an arsenal of tools that no ebook
publisher should be without. From writing to marketing
to sales tools, you’ll find everything you need
to make your next ebook a complete success! |
|
|
