eBook Security: How do I secure and protect PDF files with a lock or other ebook / PDF security protection software?

Let’s define ebook or PDF security real fast. If your definition of ebook security is that nobody can ever share your ebook with a friend or pass it around in any way, best of luck with that. It’s virtually impossible, and the options that do exist to give 100% security create many more customer service headaches than they save on ebook theft. If ebook security or PDF locking means that you can defeat the casual sharer or the thief of opportunity (much the same as department stores do with casual shoplifters), then here are some viable options for you.

PDF ebooks versus EXE ebooks

When publishing an ebook and selling it from your own site, you basically have 2 publishing options: PDF (portable document format) and EXE (executable).

An EXE ebook is a little program that resides on the person’s PC (these do NOT work on MAC, tablets, or e-readers). It contains a collection of files, usually HTML and graphic files, that make up the ebook. The user double clicks the file, it launches, and they use the EXE program almost like a web browser to access the information. This type of ebook can easily be password protected and even check with a central database to ensure the person accessing the information actually paid for it. The major downside of EXE ebooks, however, is that they only run on PCs and represent older technology that isn’t really relevant moving forward.

PDF ebooks, on the other hand, can be read on virtually every computer, most tablets, and many mobile devices. PDF ebooks also offer plenty of security options that, on the surface, seem to make it the obvious choice for locking down your ebook. PDF locking options include: locking the ebook against changes; locking it down against comments; and even requiring a password to open the PDF file. However, all of these security features can be defeated with free PDF “cracker” software feely distributed on the Web.

New eBook Formats

Kindle, Nook, iBooks all distribute their ebooks from their sites directly to either a person’s e-reader, tablet, mobile device (phone), or reader software on their PC or MAC. Frankly, most people don’t know how to trade around a Kindle ebook – they only know how to download them from Amazon, etc. In most cases, since the consumer just downloads directly from the vendor, it appears the instance of trading or pirating ebooks from these sources is low (for now).

#1 - Put a big warning at the beginning of your ebook that “This is not a free ebook and if you didn’t get it from the author, please let us know at this email address!” This will help you catch the people who are redistributing your ebook for profit or selling it openly on the web.

#2 - Hide your PDF ebook behind a password protected page or in a membership site. This will allow you to control the distribution point, keep anyone from being able to pass around the download links, and help prevent search engines from indexing the download page URL. This helps cut down on the casual sharers and the Googlers looking for an open back door to your content.

#3 - Set your ebook up so you make money even if people rip you off! If you teach people how to set up an autoresponder, make sure to include an affiliate link to your favorite autoresponder provider. That way, if people rip off your ebook, they still need to sign up for an autoresponder service to put what you teach into action. They sign up, you make money as an affiliate!

#4 - Focus on the 99% of people who are good, honest, and need your help. Some people share ebooks because they are jackasses and know better. For example, some people share ebooks because they are just plain ignorant and don’t know any better. Others steal ebooks because they secretly want Karma to smack them in the head with a giant baseball bat! No matter why they do it, ebook thieves represent a small percentage of the people out there. Most people are good and honest and want to pay you for your ebook. Focus on them, their needs, and creating value for them and you’ll win in the end… I guarantee it!

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