Prevent Download of a Video

[MrCommunistGen]

Does anyone know of a way to prevent the download of a video that you have posted on a website? I'm asking for a friend of a friend and don't really have any of the specific details about the situation.

Any help would be appreciated.

-mcg

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Unless you (or your friend's friend) want to set up a streming server, I guess making a flash version, and hiding the source file (which I've never actually done, so I cannot help with details) is the best way to go.

 

[w0ngbr4d]

I don't know much about video and Flash, but a few days ago I wanted a song from a website that appeared to be embedded in a Flash file. I looked at the source, downloaded the .swf, opened in Flash Pro. Flash Pro then gave me an error saying it couldn't find the .mp3 file and gave me a path. I then reconstructed the http:// path opened up Terminal and used the curl command to download the .mp3 file.

Well the point is that I was able to access media the content creator probably didn't want me to access, or else they would have given a download link on the page.

If someone wants the video file, they will get it.

You might want to look into having the web-server look at where the request for the file is originating from. If it comes from your domain through the Flash file, then permit access, otherwise, issue a 403 forbidden error.

-w0ngbr4d

 

[reh]

You might want to look into having the web-server look at where the request for the file is originating from. If it comes from your domain through the Flash file, then permit access, otherwise, issue a 403 forbidden error.

That's easily circumvented too.

 

[w0ngbr4d]

That's easily circumvented too.

Well nevermind then.

I guess I'll stick with what i said before, If they want it, they will get it.

-w0ngbr4d

 

[MrCommunistGen]

I'm aware of that...

I know about downloading Flash files... I do it all the time for some internet cartoons I watch. I already passed on the knowledge that if someone WANTS the vid, they're probably going to get it. The person is working for a non-profit organization and is using the video as a fundraiser... I'm just not sure how they're actually putting the video up, (streaming vs download vs ??). My guess it that they want to prevent the average user (who would probably be using Windows) from being able to right click the vid and hit "save as"

Also: Streaming server? What would this entail?

Thanks!
-mcg

 

[bigandy]

if you put the acutal file referenced above the top www/ directory, you can stop downloads because there is no way of getting to the file unless you're the webserver or have vaild FTP access. note that this doesn't work with all hosts - if it doesn't, viewing the page in a web browser will show an invalid link.

for example, when you log in to your ftp server, you'll see www/, and maybe a few other files or folders.

create a directory, for example, movies/ and then link from the html page (movie.html for example) and just make sure if the file is

www.yoursite.com/movie.html

that the reference is to

../../movies/movie.mov

the first ../ will move up one directory to www/. the second will move to the root directory. from here you navigate to the movies directory and movie.mov.

 

[whooleytoo]

Apple's had some movies which seemed difficult to download.

I believe they were movies which opened a URL to to a second movie with the actual video content. The URL obviously isn't visible in the source, though perhaps some router log file might reveal it.

If the movie itself isn't self-contained, that might work too.

 

[notjustjay]

../../movies/movie.mov

Of course, if it was actually a QuickTime movie, then I'd just wait for it to load and click "Save Movie". If it was a streaming QuickTime, I'd find it in the cache.