Understanding How USB Copy Protection Works

In this article we will detail how USB copy protection solutions work from a Southern California company named Nexcopy. Before we start there are important definitions we must all agree upon. As in today’s market place there are multiple vendors using the wrong definitions to explain copy protection.

Copy protection is different than encryption; although copy protection does use a form of encryption in the overall solution.

Encryption is scrambling up data and requiring a password to piece all the data together and display it. Once the password is entered the data can be viewed. The potential security issue is the user who entered the password can now do anything they wish with the files, print, save, share, etc.

Copy protection is different in two ways. First, there is no password required to view the data. Second, the files cannot be saved, printed, shared, streamed when viewed by even the most trusted user.

The later, copy protection, is what most people want when it comes to multi-media files like PDF, video, audio and HTML pages. Most users want the data to be seen by as many people as possible, yet the data cannot be saved, shared, streamed, printed or screen captured.

So with that in mind, let us review how the Nexcopy solution works for USB copy protection.

Key Features of Nexcopy USB Copy Protection

Here are six bullet points regarding features Nexcopy provides which others do not:

• Copy protected content plays on both Mac and Windows computers
• There are no Admin rights required to play the content
• There is no installation required on the host computer
• The content runs 100% from the flash drive
• The USB stick is write protect, so files cannot be deleted or changed
• The solution is both hardware and software, ultra-secure

The Nexcopy USB copy protection solution runs with the assumption the content owner does not want to share the data with even duplication service companies. It is assumed the content owner wants total control of the data before, during and after the USB duplication process.

Here are the steps for using the Copy Secure drives as the content owner:

The above InfoGraph was provided by Nexcopy Company and highlights the current options and services available for Protecting IP on USB, often referred to as USB Copy Protection. The concept behind this USB copy protection solution is the ability to share digital files on a flash drive with others while restricting their ability to duplicate or distribute that information without authorization.

With the above solution, a user can protect multiple file types, including popular multimedia formats such as PDF, MP3, QuickTime, MP4, M4V, HTML, Flash, and other supported files. This post is not intended as advertising but rather as an informational overview of products and services for protecting IP on USB flash drives currently available in the market today.

CopySecure USB Drive – Key Features Explained

1. Compatible with Mac and Windows

The protected content on a CopySecure drive can be viewed on both Mac and Windows computers using included MacViewer and PCViewer apps—ensuring full cross-platform support.

2. No Administrator Rights Required for Playback

Recipients do not need admin privileges to run the viewer application. The encrypted files can be accessed directly from the drive without installing software.

3. No Installation Required on the Host Computer

Viewers launch and run directly from the flash drive itself—there’s no software setup required on the user’s system.

4. Content Runs 100% from the Flash Drive

All playback—including decryption—happens locally. There’s no internet connectivity, cloud authentication, or external servers involved.

5. Immune to Deletion or Modification

CopySecure drives are hardware write-protected—data cannot be deleted, overwritten, formatted, or modified at the controller level on the device.

6. Hardware + Software Encryption Layered Protection

This solution is not just encryption, but a combined hardware/software DRM system:

• Files are encrypted (e.g., DES encryption).
• A custom viewer governs access (disabling print, copy, paste, screen capture, save).
• The license is embedded to the physical drive—no recurring subscription needed.

Additional Advanced Capabilities

Dual-Partition Drive Format

You can partition the drive into:

• A read-only protected partition containing encrypted DRM content.
• An optional standard (read?write) partition for supplemental files or updates—not protected. Ideal for combining marketing collateral or user manuals alongside protected IP content.

Supported File Types

CopySecure drives support a wide range of content formats:

• Documents: PDF, TXT, XML, CSS
• Web pages: HTM / HTML / HTML5
• Images and animations: JPG, GIF, PNG, SWF
• Audio: MP3, WAV
• Video: MP4 (H.264 up to 1080p), WMV, MOV, M4V

Time?Expiration / DRM Features

You can optionally configure content to expire at a set date or time, useful for timed access to training materials, courses, or contracts.

How It Works – Process Overview

For the Content Owner:

1. Order licensed CopySecure USB media from Nexcopy with DRM license embedded.
2. On a Windows PC, install the CopySecure Wizard software. Use it to encrypt and load content onto the drive; the tool also installs PCViewer and MacViewer on the drive.
3. Lock the drive—making the protected partition permanently read-only at the hardware level.

For the End-User:

1. Insert the flash drive and open the appropriate viewer (MacViewer or PCViewer).
2. Run protected files directly from the drive — no installation or extra setup.
3. The viewer prevents actions like save-as, print, screen capture, or copying text. Files appear normal but cannot be extracted or replicated outside the viewer environment.

Caveats & Practical Considerations

• Screen capture protection is imperfect: On Windows, capturing screens can occasionally succeed before the viewer detects and deletes the screenshot; on Mac, users may deny viewer permissions, making capture possible.
• Viewer updates may be required: If future operating system changes break viewer compatibility, you can update the viewer on the drive using the “Update Copy Secure” option within the Nexcopy software—but content remains locked and cannot be changed or added afterward.

There are some fundamental differences between USB Copy Protection verse USB Encryption for data on flash drives. Many companies confuse and muddy the terminology between the two. It’s time to clear things up and explain the difference.

In short: USB copy protection secures a file or set of files so they cannot be copied – thus “copy protection.” USB encryption scrambles the source files so they cannot be read unless you decrypt them. Think about this… there is a BIG difference.

Encryption is the process of scrambling files and data so they cannot be accessed unless a password or key is supplied to reassemble the content and put everything back together. This process is known as decryption.

The primary use for USB encryption is to protect files and data in the event the USB stick is lost or stolen.

Where encryption and USB copy protection differ is that with encryption, once you have the password, you can copy the data at will. With USB copy protection, the files and data are locked to the device and cannot be copied off, regardless of the user’s intent.

USB copy protection is similar to encryption with the use of scrambling and unscrambling data; however, USB copy protection adds another layer of security by preventing unauthorized copies. It wraps the data in a specialized algorithm, then uses a customized viewer to decrypt the data for viewing. The viewer requires specific hardware components to run, blocking any ability to copy and play the file elsewhere.

As you can see, USB copy protection is ideal for protecting intellectual property regardless of the user, whereas USB encryption is mainly for protecting data if lost or stolen.

As a side note, a USB stick with encryption can be formatted, thus removing all sensitive data. A USB copy-protected stick, on the other hand, locks content into a Read-Only partition, making deleting or formatting ineffective.

If you need USB encryption, consider using TrueCrypt, a free, open-source encryption tool offering high-level security.

If you need USB copy protection to secure content that must not be copied under any circumstances, visit Nexcopy for professional USB secure flash drive solutions. Their devices also utilize 128-bit AES encryption for maximum protection.

Example: Why a Teacher Should Choose USB Copy Protection Over Simple Encryption

Imagine a chemistry teacher who has spent months creating a comprehensive digital course filled with valuable information, detailed diagrams, and step-by-step video tutorials. The teacher plans to sell this course to students for $1,000 per person.

The Encryption Scenario

The teacher decides to use USB encryption to secure the course material. Each USB drive is password-protected, and only students who purchase the course receive the password. At first glance, this sounds secure – no password means no access.

However, the problem begins after the password is entered. Once a student unlocks the USB drive, they can freely:

• Copy all course files to their computer
• Print worksheets, study guides, and full lessons
• Share the unlocked files online or with friends for free

This means that one paying student can give the entire $1,000 chemistry course to dozens of other people without the teacher earning any additional income. Encryption does not prevent copying – it only delays access until the password is entered.

The Copy Protection Scenario

Now, let’s look at what happens if the teacher uses USB copy protection instead. The teacher provides the same USB course drive, but this time the files are locked with professional USB copy protection technology.

With copy protection:

• Any student can view the course files instantly – no password required
• The files cannot be copied to another device
• The content cannot be printed or uploaded online
• Even a tech-savvy student cannot bypass the protection because the data is hardware-locked to the USB stick

This ensures that each student must purchase their own USB course drive to access the information, preserving the teacher’s $1,000-per-student revenue and preventing lost sales.

So what do do?

If the chemistry teacher chooses basic encryption, they risk losing thousands of dollars as one student could distribute the unlocked files to an entire class or even upload them online for free. By selecting USB copy protection, the teacher maintains control of the digital course material, protects their intellectual property, and ensures that only paying students benefit from their hard work.

For secure, professional-grade USB copy protection solutions, consider Nexcopy’s secure flash drives which combine 128-bit AES encryption with true copy protection technology.