securing digital ebooks from online piracy

[newb_bee]

Hi, I'd like to know the best method(s) of ... protecting the download
link ... it's location ...not having a new window pop up with the URL
in it...

I am aware there is no foolproof way (-:

What are my _best_ options for getting paid for my products before the
purchaser gets sent to the page? I am selling downloadable ebooks
(yes, our own, not somebody else's). I use PaySystems if that matters
so I have options there, but am most concerned with the file folder
full of product.

anything I'm missing?

thanks very much.
newb_bee

[lallous]

Hello,

Afaik, you can use serverside scripting such as PHP, as:

<?
// do validation here
.....
// output the header here using Header()
.....

// output the ebook data here (and download will be started if you outputted
correct header previously)
readfile('ebook1.pdf');
?>

Regards,
Elias

[newb_bee]

"lallous" <lallous@lgwm.org> wrote in message news:<bgq57q$qhqr2$1@ID-161723.news.uni-berlin.de>...
you can use serverside scripting such as PHP, as:

>
> <?
> // do validation here
> ....
> // output the header here using Header()
> ....
>
> // output the ebook data here (and download will be started if you outputted
> correct header previously)
> readfile('ebook1.pdf');
> ?>
>
> Regards,
> Elias

Elias,
thanks, looks good ... except I really AM a newbie, would you be
willing to flesh this out some for me? Or point me to where I can find
out how to put in all the variables?
Cheers,
Sandra

[matty]

newb_bee wrote:

<snip>

>
>
> Elias,
> thanks, looks good ... except I really AM a newbie, would you be
> willing to flesh this out some for me? Or point me to where I can find
> out how to put in all the variables?
> Cheers,
> Sandra

I don't mean to sound nasty, but since you're doing this as a part of a
business, do you expect people to write it for free for you?

[gregm@cs.uwa.edu.au]

In comp.lang.misc newb_bee <sandra@delfin.org> wrote:
: <I am selling downloadable ebooks>
: What are my _best_ options for getting paid for my products before the
: purchaser gets sent to the page?

Don't write it until they've paid you.

-Greg

[Mark Hewitt]

"lallous" <lallous@lgwm.org> wrote in message
news:bgq57q$qhqr2$1@ID-161723.news.uni-berlin.de...

> Hello,
>
> Afaik, you can use serverside scripting such as PHP, as:
>
> <?
> // do validation here
> ....
> // output the header here using Header()
> ....
>

Use the correct content-type here in the header, or the browser will get
confused.
Look at "mime_content_type" for detecting mime types on random files, or if
you have a set file format you know in advance...

Quoting PHP 4.3.0 manual: ( HTTP Functions / header ):

<?php
// We'll be outputting a PDF
header("Content-type: application/pdf");

// It will be called downloaded.pdf
header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=downloaded.pdf");

// The PDF source is in original.pdf
readfile('original.pdf');
?>

for example for pdf (as in example below)

Remember, readfile() reads a file and prints to the output buffer (i.e. your
browser)

> // output the ebook data here (and download will be started if you

outputted

> correct header previously)
> readfile('ebook1.pdf');

If possible, try to store the pdf outside your servers document root, this
will prevent people trying to guess the url and dl directly

Thanks,
Mark
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> ?>
>
> Regards,
> Elias
>
>