Prevent file copy

  • Thread starter Thread starter Naomi
  • Start date Start date
N

Naomi

Is there any way to be on a network group, and have the
folder shared and enable to have others READ the file,
but not have them save in a different name, or COPY the
folder and files to their PC.
Basically, I want to share a folder on the network to let
others READ the file. But I don't want others to save or
drag and copy the file to their own PC. Is there any way?
For example, is it the OS problem? If I get some kind of
server OS, would it do the job? Any help appreciated.
Naomi
 
No.

Think about it. To "read" the file on the client,the file has to get
"delivered" to the program on the client machine to dispay it to enable
user to read/view it. From that point, the file and the information is
"out there".

If you used some sort of "terminal" program runing on the server to
present the file to the the client on the screen, this elimiminates the
need to transport the file from server to client. However, the
information is still there and all user has to do is screen shot (or use
camera, copy/paste, or simply write information down into a word
processor or piece of paper).

You can put things in the way of the user to try to make it harder for
them to take the file/information, of course, e.g. make it so that there
is no hard or floppy disks to write a file to on their computer. But if
there is a will there is way.

Seek other ways to achieve the security you need. Understand the risks
and impacts.

Hope this is useful to you. Let us know.

rms
 
Oh.....
I assume that companies don't want data copied to laptops
or CDs, so I thought there might have been a way.
A lot of companies are changing to paperless offices, and
in the past, to steal whole bunch of files, people would
have to carry heavy files and steal it or make
photocopies of ALL the documents they need. But putting
everything on computered files, it is just so easy, drag
and drop. You have the whole data in minutes.
Oh well, I guess I have to think of something else....

But thank you for the information!

Naomi
 
Convert the files to a more annoying format like Pdf (not
using the text tools, make the pdf's from images of the
text instead). This makes large files that dont compress
well, and are hard to edit. Watermarks will indicate that
people outside the company should not have the file. It
does not prevent theft, but does limit the usefullness of
some doucments and removes the ability to easily modify
the contents.

And its easier than you think. A 1GB usb disk can hold a
LOT of company data, and is the size of a pack of chewing
gum. No extra software needed, just a usb port and
windows 2000 or xp (driver needed for 98). These are not
very expensive, I have a 256 MB one that was only about
$80 when the technology first became popular. Or you can
set up ftp at home with a program like warftp and simply
send the files home at warp 9.

Disallowing the users to have access to the external web
and no disk drives or usb or serial or parallel ports will
pretty much do the trick.
 
Microsoft's Rights Manangement is the solution. Multiple companies,
like GigaTrust, have add-ons to MS Rights Management that allow users
to work with protected content if they are not currently using Office
2003 (ex: Office 2000 users).
 
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