An anti-theft system for a portable recordable media that contains a downloadable, user-sensitive software program files or data that the publisher wants to prevent multi-installations and unauthorized copying. The system uses three separate components—a portable recordable media, a linking object, and a second recordable media. In the preferred embodiment, the portable recordable media is a CD or DVD disc body with a unique first code number encoded into the software program files or data identifying the particular copy of the software program files or data. In the preferred embodiment, the linking object is a removable plug that fits into the center spindle hole formed in the disc body. Encoded into the linking object is a unique, temporary second code number that is associated or encoded with a plurality of alphanumeric characters also used in the first code number. In the preferred embodiment, the second recordable media is a programmable plug card that has a third code number encoded with alphanumeric characters used with the linking object. The plug card includes a port that enables the plug to be removed from the disc body and connected to the plug card. When the software program is initially installed into the computer, the software program examines the second code number and third code number to determine whether they are compatible so that installation may continue. If they are not compatible, installation is aborted. During use, the plug card must be inserted into the reader so that the software program loaded from the disc body or hard drive, may determine whether the user is authorized.