jQuery.fn.protectImage = function(settings) {   
    settings = jQuery.extend({   
        image: 'blank.gif',   
        zIndex: 10   
    }, settings);   
    return this.each(function() {   
        var position = $(this).position();   
        var height = $(this).height();   
        var width = $(this).width();   
        $('<IMG class="firstChild lastChild empty">').attr({   
            width: width,   
            height: height,   
            src: settings.image   
        }).css({   
            top: position.top,   
            left: position.left,   
            position: 'absolute',   
            zIndex: settings.zIndex   
        }).appendTo('body')   
    });   
};