Protect a PDF file from editing

VKKT
2StarLounger
Posts: 184
Joined: 13 Jun 2018, 07:50

Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by VKKT »

Greetings:
Hi All
I have a letter singed by our General Manager to be issued to another company in PDF format which is encrypted with a password for editing. If I print this letter to “Microsoft print to PDF” the encryption automatically cancels and allow editing.
Is there any way to protect the document from the above without stopping the normal printing of hard copy and also fill/sign.
Regards,
VKKT
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

User avatar
HansV
Administrator
Posts: 78230
Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 00:14
Status: Microsoft MVP
Location: Wageningen, The Netherlands

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by HansV »

Can you save the PDF file from Acrobat?
Best wishes,
Hans

VKKT
2StarLounger
Posts: 184
Joined: 13 Jun 2018, 07:50

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by VKKT »

No, Save option is hidden
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

User avatar
HansV
Administrator
Posts: 78230
Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 00:14
Status: Microsoft MVP
Location: Wageningen, The Netherlands

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by HansV »

File > Save As appears to be available...
Best wishes,
Hans

VKKT
2StarLounger
Posts: 184
Joined: 13 Jun 2018, 07:50

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by VKKT »

Yes. But if I print to "Microsoft Print to PDF" (option available) the protection will be removed.

User avatar
HansV
Administrator
Posts: 78230
Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 00:14
Status: Microsoft MVP
Location: Wageningen, The Netherlands

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by HansV »

Is that the only available option? If so, I don't know how to solve your problem.
Best wishes,
Hans

User avatar
StuartR
Administrator
Posts: 12577
Joined: 16 Jan 2010, 15:49
Location: London, Europe

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by StuartR »

Even if you disable that option there are other ways to get an editable version of the PDF (which I won't share here). The only viable solution is to digitally sign the PDF, that way the signature will become invalid if someone manages to edit the document.
StuartR


VKKT
2StarLounger
Posts: 184
Joined: 13 Jun 2018, 07:50

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by VKKT »

Thanks Stuart n Hans for your time and advice

User avatar
stuck
Panoramic Lounger
Posts: 8125
Joined: 25 Jan 2010, 09:09
Location: retirement

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by stuck »

As far a I know, you cannot allow printing to a physical printer, i.e. permit hardcopy output, but NOT allow printing to a virtual printer, i.e. prevent softcopy output, to another PDF file. I'm happy to learn that I'm wrong though.

The best you can do is make it hard for someone to get round the protection you've put onto your PDF. Where I work we do this using a digital signature, for which we pay money, and are happy to do so, because we generate several hundred PDF reports for our customers every year. Applying a dig. sig.gives integrity to our PDF files. Even though people can reprint one of our PDFs that reprint will not include our dig. sig. so you can see at a glance the file is not 'genuine'.

I can't imagine you want to spend money though so the best I can suggest is, see if DocuSign Free can help:
    https://www.docusign.co.uk/esignature/s ... ments-free

NB I've no experience of DocuSign free or paid. Our dig. sig. is from another provider.

Ken

VKKT
2StarLounger
Posts: 184
Joined: 13 Jun 2018, 07:50

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by VKKT »

Thanks Ken for the valuable information, our company will not permit to send to 3rd party for dig sig. Here the issue is not only signature and hard copy print, even the matter can be edited by the recipient of the document.
Regards,
Vkkt
Last edited by VKKT on 20 Feb 2021, 09:21, edited 1 time in total.

jolas
3StarLounger
Posts: 201
Joined: 02 Feb 2010, 23:58

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by jolas »

What about including saving the PDF as an image an/or save the text as curves aside from allowing low quality print protection.

VKKT
2StarLounger
Posts: 184
Joined: 13 Jun 2018, 07:50

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by VKKT »

HI,
If only one page it is ok. But If multiple pages this is not appropriate.
thanks
VKKT

User avatar
DaveA
GoldLounger
Posts: 2599
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:26
Location: Olympia, WA

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by DaveA »

Each page can be saved as a image and then combined into a multi page pdf.

Why is "multiple pages this is not appropriate"?
I am so far behind, I think I am First :evilgrin:
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

VKKT
2StarLounger
Posts: 184
Joined: 13 Jun 2018, 07:50

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by VKKT »

I tried this and has same effect as I mentioned in my query, the recipient can edit the details and signature.
Thanks
VKKT

User avatar
DaveA
GoldLounger
Posts: 2599
Joined: 24 Jan 2010, 15:26
Location: Olympia, WA

Re: Protect a PDF file from editing

Post by DaveA »

NOT if they are images before making the pdf, unless one is very good at editing images.
I am so far behind, I think I am First :evilgrin:
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living