ZeeMaps online map sharing options range from secure personalized sharing to publishing a map on a website. This article describes methods to securely share one or more online maps.
Methods to Securely Share Online Maps
There are two ways to securely share online maps:
1. Share a map with specific users.
2. Share a link and an access key for the map.
Share Online Map with specific Users
To share an online map with specified users, use the Print or Share -> Share with… menu item on your map.
In the resulting dialog, if needed, restrict the pin color to a single color. For the color restriction, make sure the map is marked Private (see below).
Enter the email addresses of the other users in the appropriate sections, depending on whether you want to grant the users Admin, Member or Viewer access.
An online map shared with another user is listed in the Shared tab of the My Maps page. For the other user, the map is listed in the Accessible tab of the My Maps page.
If you need to share multiple maps at once, use the Share with map operation in your My Maps page.
Share Online Map with a link and key
When you share a map with a link, the map access keys (see below) define viewers’ privileges. If you have locked the map with access keys, then a user can unlock the map with a key to gain access. For Private maps, an access key dialog will appear when the user first loads the map.
For Public online maps, the user should click on the Map Access link on the top right of the map.
| Feature | Share with email | Share with link and key |
| Security | Only signed-in users see the map | Keys can be easily broadcast |
| Restrict Share | Share pins of only one color | No restrictions |
Each method of sharing has its benefits. If you are crowdsourcing locations on an map, then sharing a map link with keys is the best solution. Each person can add their location on the map without signing in with ZeeMaps. When you have a private online map of sensitive information, e.g., customer locations, then sharing with specific users works better. Sharing with another user also allows you to restrict the map to only one pin color.
When sharing online maps, secure your maps properly to prevent unauthorized access. We describe key elements of maps security below.
Online Map Security
ZeeMaps provides a HIPAA compliant infrastructure for mapping.
Online maps are Private or Public. Private maps allows access to only authorized users. Public maps are viewable by anyone. The viewing details depend on the access control settings.
Access Control
Each online map has three access levels: Admin, Member and Viewer:
Admin: similar to map owner. A user with Admin privileges can add, delete or modify map settings and markers. With Admin access users can download data from the map.
Member: has limited access to the map. Member access cannot make changes to map settings. Members cannot change highlighted areas on the map. Members can add pins on the map. Depending on a map setting, Members can edit or delete pins.
Viewer: is the lowest privilege. Viewers can only see the map. Viewers cannot change the map.
Define Map Security
Get to the Map Settings page using the Map -> Map Settings menu.
On the Settings page, use the Map Security tab to set the online map as Private or Public. Define the access keys.
