How to highlight and copy text and images on sites that block it | How To Copy From Right Click Disabled Websites

Copy-pasting some body else work is very common. Though, very few people actually give the credit link or mention about the source. Specially, in Blogging people copy each other content and increase plagiarism. Apart from all Auto-bloggging tool, most common form of copying a page is by selecting text > mouse right-click and copy the content. Though in WordPress, we can easily disable this by using disable right click WordPress plugin. Though according to me right click gives a bad user experience and for Bloggers, you can always fight such copy-paste blogger using Google DMCA.

Every now and then I come across sites on the Internet that prevent you from copying some or all of the text displayed to the clipboard, or even selecting it in first place using the mouse or keyboard.

I noticed this on a bank's site recently for example where I was not allowed to copy the bank account number to the clipboard.

This guide looks at methods to overcome the limitation put in place by websites on the Internet. But first, why do sites implement these restrictions in first place?

While reasons are provided by companies and individuals who implement the functionality on their web properties, the most likely reason is some form of copy protection.

Method 1: Turn off JavaScript

Most websites use JavaScript to block mouse functionality. If you turn off JavaScript on the site temporarily or even permanently, you will be able to copy text displayed on it using the mouse.

Some websites rely on JavaScript on the other hand which means that you may run into issues doing so. Some may even refuse to display at all when JavaScript is turned off.

• Firefox users can press F12, there on the preferences icon to disable JavaScript in the menu that opens.


• Chrome users can disable JavaScript in the Content settings: chrome://settings/content


• Internet Explorer users can turn off JavaScript in Internet Option > Security > Zone > Custom Level > Active Scripting


• Opera users can disable JavaScript under Websites in the Opera settings: opera://settings/

Extensions like NoScript can be useful in this regard as they block the execution of scripts as well.

Method 2: The source

Another option that you have is to display the source code of the website you are on. Since it is displayed in a plain text editor it is possible to copy anything from it without restriction.

Simply press Ctrl-u while you are on the site to display its source code. This works in most browsers including Firefox, Chrome and Internet Explorer.

It is still necessary to find the text or content that you are looking for in the source. Use Ctrl-f to jump directly to it.

There you may also find links to images and other contents that you could not save or copy.

Method 3: Extensions and scripts

The third and final option is most suitable if you encounter sites regularly that prohibit right-click use or text copying when you are on them, and if the methods outlined above don't work or are not really suitable.

RightToClick for Firefox disables JavaScript annoyances such as forbidding right-clicks or text selection on sites.

RightToCopy for Chrome offers similar features.

You find numerous extensions for these two browsers that remove annoyances on websites.

Summary

Article Name

How to highlight and copy text on sites that block it

Description

Some sites block text selection and copying using JavaScript. This guide looks at three methods that allow you to copy text on these sites anyway.

Author

Martin Brinkmann

Well, using this trick ethically or unethically is in user hand but for a normal blogger like me and you, this tip will certainly help. Do you use any other plugin or add-on to copy content of pages with right click disabled? Do you also see this feature as bad user experience?