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FLASH SECURITY PLAYER
Secure flash player - flash security player implementing DRM controls
Flashguard Security Player enables authorized viewing of secure flash files published in the PFD format.
Flashguard Security Player is a FREE standalone application that enforces the licensed use of secure flash files (for example how long they can be viewed, if they can be printed, etc.). Access controls are set and licensed by the publisher and cannot be altered by the user or LockLizard.
Copy control measures enforce flash file protection whilst remaining transparent to the user - no passwords are required or distributed to grant access to secure flash files.
Secure flash files are only ever decrypted on-the-fly in memory. Files are never saved to disk in temporary format or to the Windows swap file. Flash protected content cannot be compromised by other applications or the common Adobe flash security issues and javascript is not supported to prevent malicious code execution.
To achieve independence we use our own secure flash player, ensuring that security is not compromised by plug-in failures or conflicts. In fact, we believe that plug-ins are potentially so insecure that we prevent them from loading so they can't compromise our security.
See also - Why LockLizard uses its own secure flash player.
FLASH PLAYER SECURITY SCREEN SHOTS
To view a protected SWF file (PFD file), double-click on it in Windows File Explorer.
The flash security player then automatically loads displaying the decrypted SWF file.
FLASHPLAYER SECURITY WITH DRM CONTROLS
When publishers secure flash files they have to specify their licensing requirements. These are used to enforce SWF controls to stop copying, prevent printing, and disable print screen. Additional DRM protection measures are used to protect copyright and prevent intellectual property theft.
There are some general controls that must be present. Displayed flash content must always be protected from screenshots and screen grabbing. Secure flash files must be locked to individual computers to make sure they cannot be shared. These controls cannot be achieved without the use of application software (a secure player) that can effectively enforce these requirements.
You can check to see the controls that have been applied to a flash file and who the publisher is by placing the mouse over the secure flash file, or by right clicking on it, selecting Properties (last option on the panel) and then clicking on the Secure SWF file tab. Users and publishers need to be aware of the controls that are available, and that controls may overlap. A list of controls and their impacts is given below.
- The publisher may have placed controls on the secure flash file that require you to connect to the Internet whenever you want to use a flash file, or connect occasionally, and the flash security player will automatically enforce those controls. If an Internet connection is required the file will not open until the license has been checked.
- The publisher may only have licensed you to view a secure flash file for a specific number of times. If that is the case you must be connected to the Internet in order to view the file.
- The secure flash file may no longer be usable after a certain number of days from when you first viewed it, or it may be set to expire on a specific date.
- You may or may not be able to print a secure flash file (the print icon therefore may or may not be enabled).
- You may be prevented by the publisher from viewing a secure flash file in thin-client and virtual environments unless you obtain a license for the environment.
- The publisher may have licensed you to view a secure flash file on one or more computers. However, one computer is the default.
- Details of when your account with the publisher of the secure flash expires (if ever) and also when the file you are viewing expires (if ever) are displayed at the bottom of the flash security player window in the status bar.
SECURE FLASH DECRYPTION
When you view a secure flash file (PFD file) for the first time, the flash security player will check if it already has the correct key needed for decryption so that you can view it. If it does not, the flash security player will check with your publisher’s administration server to see if you have been granted access to the secure flash file, and the rights that pertain (you MUST be connected to the Internet at this point). If access is allowed then the decryption key is securely transferred from the administration server to the flash security player and you are then able to view the secure flash file.
If access is not allowed, a message, set by the publisher, will be displayed telling you how they wish to be contacted so that you can gain access to the secure flash file.
After a secure flash file has been successfully opened, you may not need to connect to the Internet unless the publisher of the file requires this.
If a publisher has protected flash files to a publication that you have been granted access to, then once you have viewed one secure flash file from that publication, you will not have to connect to the Internet again to use other flash files in that publication, unless the publisher's controls require you to.
See the Flash Security Player in action - Secure Flash Player demo
FLASH PLAYER SECURITY FEATURES
- FREE Flash Security Player to view secure flash files that may be distributed only without modification
- No insecure plug-ins or weak implementations - see Technical Information
- Javascript is not supported to prevent malicious code execution - see Flash security issues
- Flash files only ever decrypted in memory
- No temporary files created on disk
- Simple for users to license - just double-click on a license file to register
- Transparent real-time web based user validation
- No passwords for users to enter, manage, forget or pass on to others
- Complete off-line protection - no need for users to connect to the Internet to use secure flash files once they are licensed
- Automatically prevents flash file decompiling, copying, modifying and saving
- Automatically prevents use of Windows print screen and screen grabber applications
- Protected flash files are locked to authorized computers ensuring they cannot be shared
- Persistent end-to-end protection throughout a flash files life-cycle
- Works with the following operating systems: Windows 2000, Windows 2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista
- Supports the following languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Dutch, Russian
The LockLizard Flash Security Player manual can be downloaded from here.
Flash player security for secure SWF files. Flash security player that decrypts encrypted SWF flash files protected with encryption and DRM controls for total flashplayer security.
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