> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bigbluebutton.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# What are "Protected Recording Links"?
> Recording links in BigBlueButton Essentials for Canvas Conferences are protected by default, so they expire, are tied to one viewer, and can only be opened through Canvas.
All recording links in BigBlueButton Essentials for Canvas Conferences are protected by default.
Protected recording links are only accessible through the Canvas Conferences interface. When a recording is ready for viewing, users see it in the list of available recordings.
To view a recording, select the **video** link.
## How protection works
Protected links are generated dynamically, expire after **6 hours**, and are only viewable by **one person**.
Because each link is tied to a single viewer, a user cannot copy the URL from their browser and share it with others.
For example, here is a link to a protected recording:
`https://recordings.reu1.blindsidenetworks.com/maintenance/dc64599ad3f967628e8e28f6c0cc9643a43424c0-1497980855997/capture/`
Opening this link in another browser returns a 404 error that reads "This may be a protected recording."
Protected recording links do not prevent a user from recording their screen while watching, or from right-clicking and downloading the video file. They make it harder for users to casually share a recording.