How To Prevent Thieves From Stealing Your PDF Ebooks!
How To Prevent Thieves From Stealing Your PDF Ebooks!
There are 2 main options for protecting your PDF file:
OPTION 1: Use Adobe Acrobat’s basic protection.
Adobe Acrobat allows you to set basic protection for your PDF document. This includes:
* allow/disable the ability to copy text of document
* allow/disable printing of file
* allow/disable changing document
* require password to open document (Yes their password protection was broken a few years back, but it’s still adequate protection and will keep out most people.)
Ideally, to use this option you should use Adobe Acrobat, however the high cost may put that out of reach of many. Fortunately, there are MANY, MANY inexpensive PDF creators that will allow you to also set some of these permissions.
Such as:
http://www.pdf995.com
http://www.pdffactory.com
http://www.deskpdf.com
There are also some standalone applications like: http://www.verypdf.com/encryptpdf/index.htm
Overall, option 1 is what I call “static protection”. Meaning, once you choose the security and then distribute the file, you cannot change the security for those files that are already distributed. For example, you distribute a file to Client A in December. In January, your relations with the client become strained and you no longer want them to have access to your file. Unfortunately, with static protection, you cannot change their access permissions. It is already “set”.
Though this option may allow you to prevent copying text within the file, it does NOT prevent a user from copying the entire file and redistributing it to others. Though it may allow you to require a password to access the file, the password can be easily passed around so anyone can have access. So it’s not entirely secure and easily circumvented. If protection of your document is critical, you should boost protection using additional mechanisms.
OPTION 2: Use a third party protection system.
This option includes systems that offer “real time” control over your document. “Real time” means that you have the ability to change or alter the document security after it has been delivered to the end user. This is what I choose to focus on as it provides the greatest amount of security and post-distribution control.
Some just offer basic lock and unlock ability, while others go into more extensive PDF settings that can be altered at any point. Here are some things you should be looking for when evaluating a PDF protection system.
1. Does the system offer complete protection?
This the first thing you should look at because if the protection is not up to par, move on! You will never even get to the other points.
When evaluating protection features, make sure you check each feature out for yourself and don’t always take the company’s word about protection. Many times I have seen companies advertising certain protection features on their website, but in testing, the product doesn’t seem to do what is claimed. So, always check first.
For PDF files, there are some basic areas that any adequate system must protect against. In order to be totally protected, the PDF security system you use MUST:
* Prevent saving a copy of file.
* Prevent emailing of file and exporting or extracting pages from file
* Prevent copying of file from the TEMP folder
* Prevent copying file and text to the clipboard
* Prevent redistilling of the file
* Prevent unlimited, uncontrolled printing of file
* Prevent access to file without permission
* Watermark all printed pages
If any system that you look into does not cover these, I recommend that you move on to something that does.
2. Can you afford it?
If the system passes the security test, the next thing you should look at is the cost of the system. Is it within your budget? Can you justify the price of this type of service? Do you buy the entire system and run it on your server, or is it a hosted service that charges you a monthly fee. There are pros and cons of both.
If you run the system on your server then you will avoid monthly fees, but these types of systems usually require extensive programming and integration work which can increase your overall costs and take weeks to months before you get up and running.
If you choose a third party system that is hosted by another company, you avoid the integration issue as most of these services can get you up and running in minutes to hours.
3. Does the system offer auto-distribution?
Does it automatically deliver your document to your customers and clients hands-free? If so, does it integrate with your payment system and/or shopping cart?
4. Is the system flexible?
The next thing you should look at is the flexibility. Does it allow you to tweak and modify the security options to fit your unique requirements? The ability to customize things such as program icons, customer download emails, thank you pages, etc. makes a big difference.
5. Is there any customer support?
What kind of support and help will you receive when you purchase the product or service? Is their any documentation of all features and uses? What good is having the best system if you don’t know how to use it?
6. Is the Company reliable? Does it protect my data?
Is this company reliable? Do you feel that the the company will shut down, thus leaving your documents inaccessible and/or unprotected? Ask them what measures do they provide to ensure that your information remains protected in this event? Do they back up your data? If so, how often?
7. Can you demo the system?
Most companies offer a trial or demo period for free or a small fee. You should always try the system out to see it “in action”. Set it up to do exactly what you are looking for and see if it works the way you need. Never sign up or purchase something that you have not yet tested.
8. Other questions?
Those are the major criteria, of course there are other things that you may want to consider such as:
* What is their cancellation/refund policy? Do they require a contract or can you sign up for a month to month service?
* Does their system use Acrobat Reader or another PDF viewer? If they use Acrobat Reader, do they have an Adobe DRM license which is required for all Acrobat reader security systems?
* Does it allow you to contact your database of users/clients
* Can you export your user database
There is a lot to consider when deciding on a PDF protection system. My advice is Do NOT rush into it. Because once you choose a system and start distributing files using that system, you are stuck with it.
File Secure Pro is a document protection and delivery system that allows users to securely distribute, monitor and control usage of their intellectual property. learn more at <a href="http://www.protectyourfile.com/" title="http://www.protectyourfile.com/" target="_blank">http://www.protectyourfile.com/</a> If you distribute important information online, File Secure allows you to start protecting your information within minutes.
FTP Servers and Security - Three methods that Secure FTP Servers use
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) has been the basis for file transfer since the dawn of the internet. The truly remarkable feature about FTP was that it was operating system independent. Files could be smoothly transferred between Unix, Windows and any other operating system. The other cool feature about FTP was that a simple validation mechanism consisting of a username and a password could be used to limit access to files. However, the actual data itself was transferred unencrypted and it was easy to intercept and listen in on an FTP connection. The internet itself had very minimal security built into it. Consisting of many smaller independent networks that stretched across the globe, the path that a data packet took to get from point A to point B was unpredictable. With the popularity of the internet, it became essential to be able to transmit many types of critical data with some amount of security. Netscape Communications solved the security problem on the internet by developing the Secure Sockets Layer Protocol (SSL) which used public key cryptography to encrypt data transmitted over the internet. This is still the widely accepted security mechanism and is implemented by all web browsers. FTPS Secure File Transfer Modifications to the FTP protocol were proposed to incorporate the use of SSL for encrypting file transfers over the internet. The modified mechanism is referred to as FTPS. In order to maintain backwards compatibility with the original file transfer protocol, an FTPS connection could either be explicit, where the connection between the client connection and the server starts out as regular FTP and then negotiates a secure connection, or implicit where the connection starts out being encrypted. HTTPS Secure File Transfer Since a web browser is already capable of public key cryptography, simple downloads and uploads can be performed directly through a web browser using the HTTPS protocol. This means that special FTP Client software is not required. SFTP Secure File Transfer The Secure Shell protocol also known as SSH was developed by Tatu Ylonen to enable secure access to remote shells using public key cryptography and replace Telnet and other non secure shells. This protocol has since evolved to also support a file transfer mechanism known as SFTP. The main advantage of this mechanism is that it did not require the opening of an additional data channel connection for transferring files. All of these three methods of secure file transfer are based on public key cryptography and all of them are equally capable of securing the transfer of critical files across the internet. The only drawback of these methods is that there is a data overhead associated with encrypting files. There is also a performance overhead associated with encrypting the files at the source and decrypting them at the destination. Because of this, system administrators sometimes use regular FTP for file transfers within a secured internal network. However, for transferring files over the internet, this is a small price to pay in exchange for the guarantee that sensitive files reach their destination without being intercepted or tampered with.
Okay, you now know about the three types of secure ftp servers. If you are looking for a secure FTP server to run on your windows system that can support all three secure file transfer mechanisms, be sure to visit <a href ="http://www.sysax.com/">http://www.sysax.com/</a> and download <a href ="http://www.sysax.com/download.htm?c=48#sysaxserv">Sysax FTP Server</a>
Start up guide to become an Information security consultant
For the sake of efficiency, cost effectiveness and to focus on the core business companies world over are switching to outsourcing of IT security. It makes eminent sense too as the information security consultants are the experts of their domain and hiring them is much more economical option than maintaining a whole army of in-house IT security experts.
This cost and efficiency factors combined with the ever growing threat from hackers and exploding online shopping and e-commerce market has made sure that more and more companies are looking for information security consultants to take care of their IT security concerns.
All these factors have made the career of information security consultants quite promising. But before you get ready to jump on the bandwagon, wait and contemplate as to why a company would go for outside IT security experts. This would help you understand the industry better.
Basically there are following three reasons which make a company go for outsourcing.
7. The required services are not available in-house and getting expensive new employees is costly and time consuming option.
8. Company is facing a tight deadline to finish a highly technical project and it is not possible to hire, train new employees and expect the project to be finished in time.
9. Companies need an independent and objective perspective which is not mired in the corporate politics and infrastructure.
When you are clear about these basics you can start the process of being a successful information security consultant which is as following.
Go wholeheartedly — There are no half measures when it comes to making a career. And certainly not when you are entering a field as fluid as IT security. The job outlook and growth is better than average and there are training programs and schools which offer specific curriculum, certificates and degrees in computer security.
Do proper Research — Since this field is relatively new, the programs are new and not yet established. So go for a recognized and reputable institute which offers all encompassing curriculum in information technology (IT), consisting of but not limited to penetration testing, systems analysis, computer information systems, programming and networking.
Steer clear of frauds — As with any growing field, IT security education field is replete with fly-by-night operators which are there just to make money and offer illegitimate courses which are not recognized and can’t get you a job after graduation.
Don’t be limited to just curriculum — As extensive the curriculum might be, there is always space for more. So don’t just be limited to the courseware and keep on adding to your knowledge of vulnerability analysis, firewall management, virus protection, network and software safety, IT forensics etc.
Add to you certifications — After or during your graduation you can opt for industry recognized certification such as “Cisco” Network Security certification, those offered by Microsoft etc. They will add value to your knowledge and empower your resume.
Gain experience — Once you have graduated you should get industry exposure through school-sponsored IT internships and with entry-level IT jobs. They will help you understand the IT security threats in real time practical environment.
Nirmalya Jain is an <a href= http://www.appinlabs.com/iso-27001.php> Information security management system </a> and specializes in <a href= http://www.appinlabs.com/ethical-hacking.php> penetration testing</a>, systems analysis etc. She is also an amateur writer and her write ups on IT security have been well received.
Proxy Sites 101
What are proxy sites?
Proxy sites give you the power and ability to keep your personal information and IP safe from many different things like spyware. You may not know this but every time you go on a website you are actually exposing your IP and other personal information. So, if you are like me and most people and want to keep your IP safe then I a totally proxy will benefit you.
However not only do proxies give you the power to protect yourself online but they also give you the ability to unblock any websites which your school/work establishment has blocked, sites such as myspace, games and facebook. I know everyone has had a time when they are at school and work and have nothing to do and they are bored out of there mind and want to go on Myspace, Games or Facebook but can’t because it’s blocked, so what do you do? You open a proxy and type in the site you want to go to and hey presto you have bypassed the filter!
The great thing about proxies is that you don’t have to pay anything to use them as they are 100% free and there are many available out there so if one does get blocked then you can find a working one in a matter of seconds!
So, to get you going on your proxy surfing journey I recommend http://www.sneakystudent.com which allows you to unblock myspace, unblock games, unblock facebook and any other sites.
Happy Browsing!
Daniel Lambert has been using proxy sites since high school and runs the popular proxy <a href="http://www.sneakystudent.com">Sneaky Student - Unblock MySpace, Unblock Games, Unblock Facebook</a>.
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