Protect images directory

[jund]

They all show up as red X's ONLY when i change the image directory to 644, it is now on 777 thats why there are no Xs showing.

this is where the problem is, 777 is not safe to keep, yet images show on the website as they are supposed to but when i try to use secure permissions (644) i get red Xs.

Let's regroup... I do not really understand something. Please try to answer a few questions...
What are you trying to protect the images from? What I mean is, are you trying to prevent someone from downloading your images? Or are you trying to prevent someone from copying your images? If a person can view your image, they can copy it, print screen it, but they cannot modify it if they do not have file access (like you do). That is why I suggested you use 770 and the index.html file.
Please help me to better understand what it is you are trying to do.
Respectfully,
jund