[security] key code for "Print Scrn" key?

[dreckleburg]

Hey Everyone,

I recently found someone illegally taking screen caps of one of my flash pieces. Does anyone know of a way to get the key code for the "Print Scrn" button on a PC keyboard? The idea is to have images' visibility set to false if that key is pressed. Or if anyone knows another way, let me know. Thanks,

_eck

[mbenney]

all they have to do is take the focus off your movie...

[dreckleburg]

mbenney,

Oh...I see. There's nothing I can do then.....?

_eck

[SaphuA]

I'm realy not sure about this...

But there might be a coding language that can detect if the printscreen button has been pressed. If you can somehow make this code start a function in Flash to whipe out the screen, then there could be a chance you're saved. But then again, there are a lot of programm's that capture your screen, so you images can always be stolen.

Edit: I know that Flash can't detect if the printscreen button has been pressed.

[dreckleburg]

SaphuA,

That's an excellent idea. It's definitely something I'll have to work on and likely it will take more work than the actual amount of money I lose because of these pilferers, but as a matter of principle, I'll look into it.

Thanks again.

_eck

[strille]

There's nothing you can do to stop someone from taking a screen shot of you flash movie. You cannot detect the print screen button being pressed to my knowledge (fscommand("trapallkeys", true); will make some special keys like Esc and F1-F12 detectable, some only works in the stand alone player).

[T1ger]

It is possible to protect your flash movie from being screenshotted in some ways!

In javascript, you can make a function that clears the clipboard data every, lets say one or two seconds, and that protects against the print screen thingie...

"But what if I open the swf file directly?"

Have some URL checking in it, letting things show only if the URL is e.g. "http://www.yourdomain.com/*", can't remember the code right now... If it's not, then _root._visible = false;

There are other programs that can capture the screen and save the image instantly, which the javascript mentioned above will not protect against. These I dont know how to protect against, but if you have a pause screen or something that covers most of your flash movie if the user unfocuses the movie, or presses any other button than the ones required to play your game (those buttons that can be checked).

I can't think of any other methods right now...

[Scorpion990]

One word.
Decompliers.

Even if you have a function that kills anybody who presses "Print Screen", decompliers can easily steal the images.

[XcVbSdRw]

Originally posted by T1ger
In javascript, you can make a function that clears the clipboard data every, lets say one or two seconds, and that protects against the print screen thingie...

I'd STRONGLY recommend against doing this. You might save your SWF from being image captured by one or two people but in doing non-standard things like clearing the clipboard you'll be pissing off all your legitimate visitors.

[Asclepeos]

anyone that paranoid about protecting their work deserves to have it stolen.

[dreckleburg]

Excellent ideas, everyone! I'll have to come to grips with the idea that anyone who really wants an image can get it eventually. But these ideas should be enough to make it too difficult for the casual image harvester. Again, thanks.

Cheers,

_eck

[T1ger]

Asclepeos: Even though your join date is older than mine, I have a higher PPD than you! :P

(Posts per day)

[Ihoss]

We have had a million threads like this and the final conclusion in all of them is that we can make it harder for those who want to steal our work, but we cant stop them. And sometimes the making harder part is not worth it.

[mbenney]

Originally posted by T1ger
Asclepeos: Even though your join date is older than mine, I have a higher PPD than you! :P

(Posts per day)

haha, no one cares

[T1ger]

Originally posted by mbenney
haha, no one cares

Yeah I know

[tonypa]

Originally posted by T1ger
In javascript, you can make a function that clears the clipboard data every, lets say one or two seconds, and that protects against the print screen thingie...

All they need then is to turn off javascript.

[T1ger]

There's always a way to pass all kinds of security... My suggestions makes it harder to get the art, but there's always a way around. If you make a game, and it gets somewhat popular, and then someone steals your art, it's not a big loss.. Most people will know that it's yours, and it will most likely be mentioned in a thread here at this board.

[offtopic]
Ironicly, I think the vast majority of people playing flash games is game-developers like us.. hehe..
[/offtopic]