Publishing Content
What file types does ARALOC support?
We are constantly working to update ARALOC with all possible file types. At present ARALOC supports
.wmv, mp3, mp4, mov, m4v, doc, xls, ppt, jpg, png, gif, swf, htm, html, txt file types, more will be
added over time so check back regularly. Also keep in mind that file types are sometimes limited by
the display device. For instance, the iPhone does not support Flash, Mac does not support wmv, etc.
Please keep your target device in mind when protecting your content through ARALOC.
Does ARALOC support .mov, .m4v, and .mp4 on the PC?
Yes, as long as the PC used to view the content has QuickTime installed.
Does the publisher work with MAC or Linux?
At present, there is no support for the ARALOC Publisher on systems running Mac OS or Linux. However,
content protected through the Publisher can be viewed on a Mac.
Can I still encrypt MS Office documents if I do not have Microsoft Office 2003 or later?
While the Publisher recognizes office documents created by any program, Microsoft Office 2003 or later
is required for the actual encryption process of the office files. A way around this with some types of
office files is to save the files as HTML in the program you are using. This will allow the files to be
encrypted and appear in the ARALOC Viewer.
What’s the difference between secure disk, secure package and secure streaming?
-
Secure Disk places the encrypted files inside a folder along with the ARALOC Viewer. This is ideal
if you intend to put this file onto a cd, dvd, usb drive, or other media and distribute it to your users.
-
Secure Package stores all of your files in one archive file with an .araloc suffix. To view this file
you must go to http://www.araloc.com/help.aspx and download our
custom Viewer, as will anyone who you send the file to. You can send the file as an email attachment, add to
a file share, or distribute in any manner you prefer.
-
Secure Streaming means that the encrypted files are read directly from a server, which can be one of
our servers or any server you choose to host your content online. Then you send a link to the content via the
ARALOC email template to each of your approved content viewers.
What’s the difference between public and private settings?
-
Select Public and any user can view the content, after entering a certain amount of demographic
information determined by you. The information choices will be viewable to you on the management console.
-
Select Private and only pre-approved users can view the content upon entering their credentials.
Can I select multiple distribution types for one piece of content?
One piece of content can only be published using one distribution method at a time. To do this you must publish the
same piece of content as three different protected pieces of content, each one using a different distribution method.
Can I alter Content rights once the content has been published?
Yes, by signing in to the ARALOC Management Console, you can select a piece of content and change its rights and
user access instantaneously.
How do I get multiple files to appear for browsing in one secure content item?
In step four of the Publisher wizard, check "Enable Multi Document Viewing", which is enabled by default. This will
display a file browser in the Viewer which the user can use to navigate between files. This setting can also be
changed in the Content Details page after the content has been published.
Why are some files not being published?
Unsupported file types will be ignored by the Publisher. If you receive an error when trying to encrypt MS Office
files, please check that you have Office 2003 or later properly installed. Also verify that you have the MSOffice
2003 interop file installed, the link is available on the "Required Software" page. This is a file needed by ARALOC
to publish office documents.
How much space do the encrypted files take up?
The encrypted files take up about the same amount of room as the original files.
How long is my encrypted content good for?
The encrypted files remain encrypted for as long as you want to keep them, and will be accessible using ARALOC as
long as your subscription is active and the content record remains valid.
How can I encrypt a web page?
You would need to save the page as HTML. When uploading the page to the publisher, remember to upload the folder
that is created with it, as it will be necessary to view the page normally.
How do I publish large image files?
At the moment, pictures must be resized before they are encrypted, otherwise they will appear in their original
size in the viewing application.
Content Management
How do I decide who gets to see my content?
If you selected "Public Activation", then anyone can view your content provided they enter their email address and any
other fields you select. If you select "Private Activation", then all viewers must be pre approved by you the publisher
to see how to assign users please consult the detailed user instructions here.
How can I prevent each user from viewing their content on more than one computer?
By limiting the number of activations per user, you can keep users from viewing the content on more that a limited
number of computers.
What’s the difference between activations and views?
Activation is the process by which your computer is registered as an approved user. The first time a user logs into the
ARALOC viewer on a computer, they have activated their license, and do not have to do so again on that computer. Views
are simply the number of times one user opens the viewer to see a piece of content. Some content providers will limit
the number of views available to a user.
Once I have distributed my Secure Content to viewers, can I stop them from being able to see it anymore?
Yes, simply "expire" the content in the ARALOC Administrative Console. You can also "expire" individual user access while
leaving the content available for other users.
Can I change my viewer content rights to any of my content at any time?
Yes, all content rights can be altered at any time.
How do I deter users from taking screen captures of my content?
ARALOC blocks users from being able to take screen captures while the program is running. However you can turn this feature
off if you wish.
How can I see if my viewers are viewing 100% of the content?
One way to accomplish this is to establish a "total run time" and a "target run time" on the content details page. Each
viewing will record the length of the view and compare it to target view time. Then go to the reports tab and select
content report to see the results.
For how long can one piece of wrapped content be viewable?
For as long as you have an active account and the content exists in your account, you will be able to let users see that content.
I sent my encrypted content in an email but it was blocked from the recipient, what do I do?
Some overzealous email servers may block ARALOC files because they are encrypted and thus could be mistaken for malicious content.
Though it is not a problem in most free email services, some business email services may encounter this problem. Should this occur,
you can zip the files using the archiving program of your choice before sending it via email.
User Management
How can I add groups of users?
Users can be imported via excel spreadsheets by going to the users tab, then selecting import users. Then follow the instructions provided.
How can I import viewers into ARALOC?
Using the import feature on the users page, you can import your contacts from an excel spreadsheet.
When exporting user lists to excel, I often get an error when saving the file.
Sometimes when opening the exported file in Excel when it is already running causes the file name to add brackets [ ]. Simply remove
these brackets from the file name and saving it as an excel worksheet should eliminate the problem.
Viewing Content
What do I need to run the viewer?
How do I open a ".impx" or ".araloc" file?
A .araloc file is a file type for viewing by our specialized ARALOC Viewer application. This viewer is necessary
when publishing and distributing files as secure packages. This application is available at
http://www.araloc.com/help.aspx.
Can files be seen without the viewer?
The original files are still unaltered on your computer; however, the encrypted files can only be viewed by our
ARALOC Viewing application.
Does the viewer work with Mac or Linux?
The ARALOC Viewer runs on Windows or Mac OSX 10.5 and later. There is currently no support for systems running Linux.
Do I have to sign in to ARALOC every time I wish to view content?
No, once you have signed in on a computer and activated the content, you will not need to sign in again to view it.
How do I navigate between multiple files in the same piece of content?
If "Enable Multi Document Viewing" is enabled for the content, the Viewer will display a file browser to the left of
the content pane. Otherwise the Viewer only displays the startup file. Only users with access to the ARALOC Management
Console may change this setting.
How do I resize pictures in the viewer?
At the moment, pictures must be resized before they are encrypted, otherwise they will appear in their original size
in the viewing application.
Can I view streaming content on Mac OSX 10.6 (Snow Leopard)?
When I click "View Content Now", Windows downloads a file, but does not know how to open it.
Verify that you have Java installed by visiting
http://www.araloc.com/help.aspx.
If it is installed but still does not work, you may need to manually set the file type association between the .jnlp file
type and the Java Runtime. Choose "Open With", and browse to the Java Web Start launcher, typically located at
"C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\javaws.exe".
I’m getting a "Enter Network Credentials" prompt while trying to view embedded .wmv files in Windows 7.
Open Windows Media Player, go to Organize -> Options -> Network -> Protocols for MMS URLs -> and (Uncheck) HTTP.
I’m getting "The Plugin did not initialize properly" and/or "An error occured inside a plug-in contained on this page" when
attempting to view .mov, mp4, or .m4v video files.
This error is not ARALOC related, and is being reported by the embedded QuickTime player. You will need to re-install QuickTime on the
computer you're having this issue with, via
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/.
Reporting
How do I know how many people are seeing my content and other stats?
All statistical information regarding the access and viewing of your content is recorded and available to you in the Reporting tab.
Here those with bronze accounts or above can view reports specific to content, user, group, and other information.
The graph isn’t showing the most up to date information. Why is that?
The graphs update their information at midnight every night, and display figures in terms of whole days. Also, the graph needs at
least two days worth of information to generate a line graph. This to see a graph, you must widen the target dates to one day before
and one day after your target dates.
Payment/Subscription
How do I decide which subscription level is right for me?
Take a look at the size of the files you want to secure and the amount of users you expect to have. Then look at our detailed pricing
guide to decide which subscription level fits your needs.
How do I downgrade my subscription?
On the e-commerce page, select upgrade subscription and select the new level you wish to use, even if it is a downgrade.
How long does it take for a downgraded subscription to take effect?
You will have your higher level privileges until the next subscription payment, when your privileges will be downgraded to your new level.
How do I cancel the service?
In the modify subscription screen click on the "cancel my subscription" link.
What forms of payment do you accept?
PayPal (all major credit cards) or direct invoice for upgraded business accounts.
Do I need a PayPal account to purchase or can I use an account with another similar payment service?
PayPal is the only accepted payment method at this time.
How soon after I purchase an upgraded account will I be able to utilize the upgraded features?
Immediately upon payment.
What happens to my content once I cancel my ARALOC subscription?
As stated, content remains on your computer, however, the content records that you use on the content management site are
deleted, and users can no longer see your content.
Is it possible to have a lower subscription type, but pay for a one time use of higher account privileges?
No, however you may upgrade your subscription for a time (at least one month) and then downgrade your subscription later.
Hosting Content
What is a hosting package?
Hosting provides the ability to have ARALOC host your secure content and deliver your content to viewers over the Internet.
Do I need a hosting package?
If you want to deliver your content over the web it must be hosted somewhere, but it does not have to be with ARALOC.
How do I decide which hosting package is right for me?
Take a look at the size of the files you wish to distribute. You can always upgrade your hosting package at any time.
Can I use my own server for hosting my content while using ARALOC?
Yes, you can host your content anywhere you choose.
How do I delete my ARALOC hosted content to free up more space?
You’re hosted content is deleted when you delete the content record from the management console.
The content I’m hosting manually is giving a "Page Not Found" message in the viewer.What am I doing wrong?
It’s likely that the http content path has been configured incorrectly. Check your web site to ensure that the path you entered is
accessible. Don't forget to include the content folder name at the end of the path.
Other
What happens to the encrypted content?
The content encrypted by ARALOC is placed in a folder on your desktop. In the case of secure disk or package methods, it is
up to you to distribute your content. If you select streaming, and select ARALOC as the host, then the encrypted files would
be placed on our servers, only accessible to those you give rights to view it.
Does ARALOC work with files created by open office or Google documents?
Yes, office documents created in any program are recognized by our publisher, so long as they are in the Microsoft office
97 – 2003 standard file type. EX: .doc, .xls, .ppt, etc.
Once my files are encrypted, who has them?
Once your files are encrypted, you have possession of those encrypted files, as well as your original files. At no point does
ARALOC have possession of your original content. If you select ARALOC hosting then your encrypted files will be hosted. Your
encrypted content will also be held by anyone you distribute it to, however, they can only view it to the extent that you permit them.
Is there any way to break the encryption?
ARALOC utilizes 256 bit AES encryption, the highest allowed by government. While all encryption methods are theoretically possible
to crack, it would take such an exorbitant amount of time and money that it’s unlikely to be an issue.
Will ARALOC work with firewalls?
Yes, ARALOC should not cause a problem with most firewalls. If you are having a problem try lowering the security level, or
selecting ARALOC as an allowed program.
When should I use ARALOC?
Whenever you have any files that you wish to distribute to a limited group of people, and you don’t want it to be copied or resent
to others without your knowledge. Or if you simply wish to distribute your content freely and monitor those who view it.
What happens to my content once I use ARALOC for encrypting my content?
The content never leaves your computer; the newly encrypted content is put on a new folder in your desktop. ARALOC never has
possession of your content.
Will ARALOC work with my security software (Norton/MacAfee)?
Yes, if you do experience a problem however, try lowering the protection lever or adding ARALOC to the list of allowed programs.
What are Vendors and how do I use them?
The Vendors feature allows you to associate a number of vendors with your content. So that if you come back to check later, you
can be reminded of whatever web hosting service, CD producer, etc you used for the creation or distribution of that content package.