Avoid direct linking to site's images

selectively

[Jakotsu]

I'm tired of forums and other sites linking to my files and images directly, how can I implement those "direct linking fobidden" images to avoid it?

Notice I don't wan't to avoid direct linking 100% because certain images like the site's button must reserve right to be direct linked.

[lZakl]

I had a few of my images being linked to for a while. I simply changed the image (kept the same name) and the image said "I own a website that steals images!" In big bold red letters. I chaged the <img src=""> in my pages to call to the old image, which I renamed to something else. I went to their site, and MAN was it ugly to see "I own a website that steals images!" on it.. Gave me a lot of satisfaction.

This may not be what you wanted to hear, but ... :0)

-- Zak

[trillianjedi]

Being discussed over here right now:-

[webmasterworld.com...]

[webmastertexas]

>> I simply changed the image (kept the same name) and the image said "I own a website that steals images!" In big bold red letters.<<

That's very clever, but you're still losing bandwidth money because your bandwidth is still being leeched. :)

[larryhatch]

Ahh yes, but if the BW isn't too large, its sweet revenge, and well justified. I do the same thing.

Instead of "This site steals images", though, I might put up a nice URL for my site.
If it gets _really_ evil, there's plenty of raunchy stuff to fight back with.
If someone is hot-linking your images, a turnabout is more than fair play. -Larry

[webmastertexas]

Yes but if you don't care about losing a tiny bit of bandwidth why do you care that he's leeching your images in the first place? :)

[larryhatch]

I should add that I use the same method as Isakl:

1) Rename your real image locally (on your computer)
2) Change all pages calling that image so they call the new image file-name.
3) TEST amended page(s) to make sure they display the original image(s).
4) Send up good (original) image file with new filename.
5) Send up amended html file(s).
6) Test affected page(s) online for verification.
7) Only then: send up the "amended" image file under the original image filename.
8) Visit the hotlinker's site. Enjoy.

[lZakl]

I realize that they are using your bandwidth, that's not what concerns me. What concerns me is that they were to lazy to download and steal the image properly. You want to be lazy? Fine I'll use that against you, as you probably won't notice that I changed the image to a cat screaming "image-stealer.net.com.org sucks ###! Visit mysite.net.org instead!" (pardon my french). And yes, the stuff you can put there can get quite raunchy! esp. if it's a gif. Bandwidth? Nah, it's the principle. ... And it's fun. ;0)