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How to protect images on your website from download (2 lines of code)

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Add the Pixel Sentinel loader to the head of your pages once, then paste each picture's script embed where it should appear. Visitors see the real picture; "Save image as", other sites, image search and bots get a scrambled copy.

Also covered: why you should delete old originals from your server, the safety check that finds them, and the plain <img> tag for places that don't allow scripts.

Works with hand-built sites and builders that allow header code (Squarespace Code Injection, Webflow head code and others). Features and platform notes: pixelsentinel.net/features

Transcript

0:03 Copy the loader

To protect the images on your own website, you add two things: the loader, once, in the head of your pages, and an image tag wherever a picture goes. Start on the Your site tab, and copy the loader.

0:15 Paste it in the head

Paste it into the head section of your page template, so it is on every page that shows protected images. Website builders have a setting for this, usually called header code or code injection.

0:27 Copy the script embed

Then, on the Images tab, copy the script embed for a picture.

0:33 Replace your image tag

Paste it where the picture should appear, in place of your old image tag. Then publish the page.

0:39 The result

Visitors on your site see the real picture. Open the same image address on its own, and you get the scrambled copy. That is what downloads, other websites, image search and bots get.

0:52 Remove old originals

One more step matters. Delete the old originals from your media library or web server. While an original is still there, anyone with its old address can download it.

1:03 Safety check

The safety check on the Your site tab looks for leftovers like this. You prove the site is yours with a DNS record, and it lists files that show a protected picture without protection, and pages that are missing the loader.

1:17 Places without scripts

Some places don't allow scripts, like some store builders and forums. There, use the plain image tag instead. It still stops other sites, image search and bots. And for WordPress, there is a plugin that does all of this for you. That's in the next video.

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