# How to prevent the sharing of digital files?

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Preventing the distribution of files is something you may be looking to do while using Big Digital Download. In this guide you will learn the multiple ways you can decrease the chance of file sharing.
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{% hint style="warning" %}
**So important** to realize that it's impossible to fully prevent the sharing of files. The methods above are intended to help you **reduce the chance** of sharing these files but it will not completely prevent it!
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The multiple ways that you can achieve a **reduction in file sharing** using big digital download include:

* **Method 1 (RECOMMENDED):** Limiting the number of total downloads
* **Method 2:** Adding watermarks to PDFs (cannot be a password protected pdf)
* **Method 3:** Password protecting your Zip folders (or pdfs)

<figure><img src="https://505444084-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6E2RYbkHaFzNulwI9D72%2Fuploads%2Fi8fwtxDEV4oBqAAX5zaV%2FCopy%20of%20DD%20-%20Digital%20Product%20-%20Settings.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d2d71df0-78d8-4884-86ca-1281e50344b3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Method 1 : Limit the number of total downloads

On Big digital download you can limit the number of times someone can download there digital file.

#### Steps to limit how many times a digital product can be downloaded:

1. In your Shopify admin dashboard look at the left hand panel and click on **Apps.**
2. Click on **Big Digital Download.**
3. Click click on **Digital Products.**
4. Click **Edit** on the Digital product you want to change.

<figure><img src="https://505444084-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6E2RYbkHaFzNulwI9D72%2Fuploads%2FZMtGqOfHsp19S2ICiJkJ%2FUntitled%20design%20(87).png?alt=media&#x26;token=0e04e0d0-c86e-4b36-b2bb-e63dbc89e8e3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Click on  **Limit download per order** and set the **limit** to your liking.

<figure><img src="https://505444084-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6E2RYbkHaFzNulwI9D72%2Fuploads%2FRRIm4ogBEKQMXTcoMiiA%2FCopy%20of%20Untitled%20(1).png?alt=media&#x26;token=ab552d8b-ce22-4f6a-8379-641de0eefaa7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. OR you can **limit the download in time.**

<figure><img src="https://505444084-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6E2RYbkHaFzNulwI9D72%2Fuploads%2FBl5k8HDZjLmC68CzlrkW%2FDD%20-%20Digital%20Product%20-%20Settings%20(1).png?alt=media&#x26;token=93503d44-e5e4-4bcd-8c73-e31320a1cc97" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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**Important to realize** that each click of the button is considered a download! This means we **HIGHLY recommend to set this limit to 3 or higher to avoid issues** with customers not being able to download after a single failed attempt.
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{% hint style="success" %}
Pros:

* Helps prevent excessive downloading of your digital product (which can drastically increase your bandwidth use if the files are massive)
* Helps prevent the spreading of the download link
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{% hint style="danger" %}
Cons:

* Can restrict your customers from downloading once they reach a limit thereby causing them to contact you
  {% endhint %}

{% content-ref url="my-customers-see-an-error-message-maximum-limit-reached-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it" %}
[my-customers-see-an-error-message-maximum-limit-reached-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it](https://penida.gitbook.io/big-digital-download/most-asked-questions/my-customers-see-an-error-message-maximum-limit-reached-how-do-i-get-rid-of-it)
{% endcontent-ref %}

<figure><img src="https://505444084-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6E2RYbkHaFzNulwI9D72%2Fuploads%2FVlrS5ffhxA2PIypwOS5M%2FCopy%20of%20DD%20-%20Digital%20Product%20-%20Settings.png?alt=media&#x26;token=93e0b199-8390-4ce6-ad7a-9c863f352ed5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Method 2: Adding watermarks to PDFs using Big Digital Download

Big Digital Download offers a stamping feature which will apply a watermark to your unprotected pdf files.&#x20;

{% hint style="warning" %}
Password protected PDF files cannot be stamped!
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Steps to watermark your PDF using Big Digital Downloads stamping feature:

1. In your Shopify admin dashboard look at the left hand panel and click on **Apps.**
2. Click on **Big Digital Download.**
3. Click click on **Settings.**
4. In **General settings** scroll down till you see **PDF stamping** and **set to Yes**

**PDF Stamping options on Big Digital Download explained**

<figure><img src="https://505444084-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6E2RYbkHaFzNulwI9D72%2Fuploads%2FgHMZL3cnwEe3TQ5Srvd8%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ce4aefe8-cfd4-4841-96ee-6d2084f4fbfa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Stamp text:** You can use {shop}, {order-number}, {order-name}, {customer-email} & {customer-name} as variables.

<figure><img src="https://505444084-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6E2RYbkHaFzNulwI9D72%2Fuploads%2FudLBO73scg7gcrZ0Chd3%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7f4dfb96-8e8e-43b7-b394-1d774f78e777" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Stamp Placement:  Determines where the stamp will be placed**

  <figure><img src="https://505444084-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6E2RYbkHaFzNulwI9D72%2Fuploads%2F6VnDw0UHk3ChzijIl5Ab%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=23ef1c8d-d468-451e-bce2-16c3176047c1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
* **Stamp Font Size:** Determines how large the stamp will be&#x20;

5. Make sure to **save before leaving!**

{% hint style="success" %}
Pros:

* Helps you track who's sharing your orders by stamping unique order details such as customer name and/or order number
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We have gone over 3 possible ways of **reducing the amount of sharing** that takes place with your file. Remember that these are **not ways of fully preventing the sharing!**

<figure><img src="https://505444084-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F6E2RYbkHaFzNulwI9D72%2Fuploads%2FufRaRdhHjZuF6qAn5Qyj%2FCopy%20of%20DD%20-%20Digital%20Product%20-%20Settings.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e37c0809-1a1e-4fa9-896e-ac561fcf8c67" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Method 3: Add a password to your zipped folders :file\_folder:

To add a password on your zipped folders you will need to use an external program like WinRar (Windows) or Macs built in compressor

#### Steps to add a password on your zip files using WinRar

1. Install WinRar on your Windows.

{% embed url="<https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/how-to-install-winrar-on-windows/>" %}

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**WinRar is not needed on Mac.** You can simply follow the video below to see how to use mac built in compressor.
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2. Create your first Zip file using WinRar
   1. [How to turn a regular folder into a zipped folder on windows](https://youtu.be/g4wh0W982GQ?t=64)
   2. How to convert a regular folder into a zipped folder on MacOs :arrow\_heading\_down:

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62tw3wZvQxs&ab_channel=howtomac9319>" %}

3. Password protect your Zip file&#x20;
   1. How to password protect your zip file on windows or mac (second video) :arrow\_heading\_down:

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaVoVhJP1xY&ab_channel=MaxO%27Didily>" %}

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/LD-xzsnktT0?t=31>" %}
Requires you to use mac terminal
{% endembed %}

4. Now you can upload your password protected zip to Big Digital Download.

{% hint style="success" %}
Pros:

* Rar file are compatible across devices
* Offline protection
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{% hint style="danger" %}
Cons:

* Requires the use of 3rd party software (WinRar on windows)
* Requires the unpacking of the Rar file on device of choice
  * Each devices opens Rar files differently
* Rar passwords are static meaning they can be shared
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{% hint style="warning" %}
This password will be static meaning it can be shared! Consider Method 1 as an alternative if this is not okay with you.
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