A digital data signal, such as a digital video signal, is intentionally pre-distorted before being sent over a network. In one embodiment, this pre-distortion may be performed in accordance with a pre-distortion pattern or algorithm which is shared with only intended receivers. The pre-distortion pattern may be used to vary the pre-distortion on a periodic basis, as frequently as on a symbol-by-symbol basis. The pre-distortion function may include distorting the phase and/or the amplitude of the digital signal's modulation.