Hiding/Blocking source code

[BenVitale]

Couldn't you use an HTML encryptor? Isn't the encryptor a good way for hiding blocks of code, and even an entire page?

And, there's the DesignerWiz's HTML Encryptor.

I am not familiar with it. I wouldn't know how to use it.

And I heard that there are other ways of hiding entire web documents, by using Server Side Include files.

Could anyone explain?

[TJ111]

There is no way to prevent people from viewing the source code of an HTML web page. The only way to prevent people from seeing it would be to use a Java/Flash page. You can obfuscate it some, but it can always be reverse engineered. Plus, theres really no need out the to prevent people from viewing HTML and Javascript.

[WebJoel]

The top of this forum (HTML), is a "sticky note" on this very matter.. :p
http://www.webdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89947

[LeeU]

What is it that is so "secret" about someone's code? In fact, that's how people learn. If you don't want it stolen, don't put it on the Web, plain and simple. Otherwise, share with the community ...

[BenVitale]

I'm just curious about it. I wish I could remember the website I've visited months ago. That website had a block, I couldn't view its code.

[WebJoel]

I'm just curious about it. I wish I could remember the website I've visited months ago. That website had a block, I couldn't view its code. Oh bull (grin!), -show me the site and in less than 5-minutes, I'll show you all the code. Site probably had a 'kiddie-script' that prevented right-click to view...Plain & simple. That isn't the only way to 'view the code'. In order to see the page, the code has to enter my computer, ergo, I can 'get to it'...
Every time I view anybody's URL posted here, I get 'copies' of their *css for instance, and their html, in cache. -I have their code until the next time I clear my cache & TEMP folders.

[felgall]

Why do you need five minutes? I have yet to find any page encrypted in a way that couldn't be decrypted in less than one second. of course it does take about 30 seconds to install an appropriate userscript into your browser to add a "display decrypted source" link to the bottom of all the web pages you display in your browser so that you can view the decrypted source of any web page with a single click of the mouse.

The other alternative is to simply install a copy of Netscape 7.0 and use File/Save As which in that specific version does exactly the same thing and saves the decrypted copy of the page rather than the encrypted version. Of course that's the slow way of decrypting a web page since it requires three mouse clicks instead of one.

Note that this less than one second decryption time applies equally whether the page is written in plain text or has been encrypted using a fancy $200+ encryptor program. All such encryption programs are a complete waste of money as all you need to be able to decrypt the web page content is a web browser.

[BenVitale]

I have been searching to show it to you. I think I found an example, see at

http://www.dickieart.com/


When I right click in order to get the usual pop menu to select the "view source", I get instead the "Windows Internet Explorer" box.

Isn't that an example of a block ?

[NogDog]

I have been searching to show it to you. I think I found an example, see at

http://www.dickieart.com/


When I right click in order to get the usual pop menu to select the "view source", I get instead the "Windows Internet Explorer" box.

Isn't that an example of a block ?
Yes, they've done some JS stuff to redirect a right-click to their own purposes. But you can still view the source code by selecting the view->source menu option in IE. Or you can do what I do, use Firefox with the Tools -> Options -> Content -> JavaScript -> Advanced settings having everything unchecked, so that scripts cannot mess with my browser.

[Centauri]

they've done some JS stuff to redirect a right-click to their own purposes.

Which seems to have no effect with Firefox....

[jessnoonyes]

I use the FF web developer plugin that gives me instant access to any html website's html/css/javascript and images with the click of a button, regardless if they have that silly right click protection thing on it. You can't totally protect your source code and I would recommend you not waste your time

[WebJoel]

Why do you need five minutes? ... Well I haffta to go grab a coffee & doughnut you know. :D But yes.. seconds will do.

You know, -there is or used to be a software that is imo, 'grayhat', -I thought it was called "code lifter" but that might not be it. It allows the user to run it when on a web site that they like, and it 'lifts the code' but 'drops the links & images' and saves it for your own use, user is effectively STEALING someone else's intellectual property... :o

I saw this and thought, -what a bunch of useless crap! Worse than wysiwyg, it is literally that! What you see, you can get... :o I hope that this software is no longer available...

[TJ111]

You know, -there is or used to be a software that is imo, 'grayhat', -I thought it was called "code lifter" but that might not be it. It allows the user to run it when on a web site that they like, and it 'lifts the code' but 'drops the links & images' and saves it for your own use, user is effectively STEALING someone else's intellectual property... :o

How is this different then doing a File->Save As? And PS, that website took all of 2 seconds to view their source code, even with JS enabled.

[felgall]

If you get hold of a copy of Netscape 7.0 and use File Save As from that browser there is a slight bug in the browser that causes it to save the decrypted copy of the web page instead of the original code. Alternatively with Opera, Firefox/Greasemonkey and IE/IE7pro you can install a three line JavaScript into the browser itself to add a view decrypted source link into all web pages so as to be able to view the source of an encrypted web page after the browser has decrypted it.

[WebJoel]

How is this different then doing a File->Save As? ... VIEW - PAGE SOURCE (or FILE - SAVE AS) shows the code, the links, image-names, it is 'the code that is the site'.

The software strips the image-names and such and is intended for user to re-populate that code with their own links, images, etc. "Viewing & saving" someone's html isn't 'stealing' exactly until/unless they re-fill the links and image pointers with their own content and market/publish it as your own. This software made hype that you can 'quickly create templates to use or sell'!
This software explicitely states that this is what it's purpose is, -you 'lift' the code of a site that appeals to you and this software helps you make it your own, to be published.
I know it sounds like the same thing but if you saw what this software does and it's Mission Statement, -you'd have been as agast as I was! I don't even think it's around anymore... probably it got into too many legal snipes.

[WebJoel]

How is this different then doing a File->Save As? ... VIEW - PAGE SOURCE (or FILE - SAVE AS) shows the code, the links, image-names, it is 'the code that is the site'.

The software strips the image-names and such and is intended for user to re-populate that code with their own links, images, etc. "Viewing & saving" someone's html isn't 'stealing' exactly until/unless they re-fill the links and image pointers with their own content and market/publish it as your own. This software made hype that you can 'quickly create templates to use or sell'!
This software explicitely states that this is what it's purpose is, -you 'lift' the code of a site that appeals to you and this software helps you make it your own, to be published.
I know it sounds like the same thing but if you saw what this software does and it's intended use & Mission Statement, -you'd have been as agast as I was! I don't even think it's around anymore... probably it got into too many legal snipes. I could only hope!