The topic of this tutorial is Security. AutoRun gives you two ways of protecting your project: Disk Security and File Security.

With File Security you can keep the files on your CD protected from the user. Your files will be compressed into a protected archive and the filenames encrypted, so the user won't be able to see the files using Windows Explorer or by any other means. This also gives you control over how your files are opened. When your CD is played, AutoRun extracts your files from this archive into a temporary location and run from there. You can choose to have these files deleted when AutoRun exits, or on the next reboot. If you are using Disk Security as well, AutoRun will not extract your protected files until the Disk Security is passed.

Disk Security for your CD requires that the user pass some form of authorization before proceeding. If the user cannot provide authorization, AutoRun will stop and the CD will eject.

I'll create a project that uses both types of security. My project involves opening a PowerPoint show of satellite images. Since this information is sensitive I'd like to make sure only authorized users can run my CD. I'd also like to keep my PowerPoint show protected so users can't just copy it from my CD or locate the file using Windows Explorer.

I'll create a new project called 'Satellite Images'. I'd like to open a PowerPoint show so I'll use the File Viewer. I'll select my PowerPoint file now. I've saved my PowerPoint file as a PowerPoint Show (.PPS) so it will start in 'Show' mode. I'll also use the installer for Microsoft's free PowerPoint Viewer as my Failsafe Program. This will insure that even users without PowerPoint installed can view my show. See Tutorial #2 for more information on using the Failsafe Program.

Now I'll choose to protect my PowerPoint file. This option is located in the Advanced Settings tab, just check the box to protect this Viewer's files. There's no need in protecting the Failsafe Program this time, since the file is freely available on the web. I'll also choose to have my files deleted when AutoRun exits rather than waiting until the next reboot to have them deleted.

It's important to note that you should only protect the Viewer's that need to be protected. The more Viewers that are protected, the longer your CD will take to load.

I'll set up the Disk Security now. This is accessed through the Security icon in the project workspace. As you can see there are several types of protection to choose from. I'll choose the Serial Number option. I can now enter 1 or more serial numbers that are accepted. You can print this serial number on you CD's or send it to your users by another means. I'll also choose the option to save the serial number so the user doesn't have to enter it every time they use the CD. You can reset this from the menubar under Project->Reset Project Security. You may also specify the text displayed to the user when the security window is opened, as well as when security is failed and passed.

Press the Create button to copy your project files to the project folder and configure AutoRun. I'll open up the project folder now. As you can see the PowerPoint file isn't visible. It is actually contained in a protected archive and won't be extracted until a valid serial number is entered.

When you are happy with your project burn the contents of your project folder to CD. That's all it takes to protect your project.