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Locking PDFs with Safeguard is more secure than Adobe password protection & simple. To lock PDF files & stop unauthorized use, choose the DRM controls:
Safeguard automatically protects PDFs from unauthorized sharing:
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The support we received has been outstanding. They are very responsive to our requests and go the extra mile.
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Why Safeguard PDF Security is more secure than Adobe Acrobat for Locking PDF documents |
Safeguard uses US Government strength encryption and digital rights management (DRM) controls to lock PDF documents and control their use. Lock PDF files from editing, unauthorized sharing and misuse, securely distribute PDF documents, securely share and sell PDFs.
How to Lock a PDF from openingYou can use either passwords or certificates to lock a PDF file from opening but they both have their problems.
A more secure and easier way to lock a PDF from opening by unauthorized users is to use encryption with licensing controls and transparent key management. You therefore do not have to worry about key distribution. This is what Locklizard uses along with device locking to prevent encryption keys (and theforefore your documents) from being shared.
How to Lock a PDF from editingMost PDF editors enable you to lock a PDF from editing. However these restrictions can be easily removed – see locking PDFs with Adobe Acrobat below.
Locklizard automatically locks a PDF from editing when you protect it. Users cannot edit content or copy/paste it to other applications. You can also lock PDF forms so that form fields cannot be edited and modified in any way but the user can still enter text in the fields provided.
Locking PDFs with Adobe AcrobatAdobe Acrobat lets you lock PDF files (encrypt PDFs) with a password so that they are set to view or read only (lock a PDF so it canot be edited). You can lock PDFs so they cannot be copied, printed or edited.
However, the only protection available is the password which can be easily removed using freely available PDF password removal tools. Once the password is removed the recipient can do what they like with the file.
You can also apply a document open password but that does not prevent users removing the restrictions. Anyone that has the document open password (hint: any user you share the PDF file with needs it) can remove the PDF restrictions in seconds.
So the Adobe method of locking PDFs to prevent changes provides zero protection since it can be easily defeated.
Locking PDF files onlineThere are many PDF tools similar to Adobe that let you lock a PDF online. The problem however is that you have to upload your unprotected PDF files to a cloud server where they could be compromised. This might be OK for non sensitive or confidential PDF documents but most businesses do not want to expose their documents to a third party which is why they are protecting them to begin with.
So while online PDF locking tools may seem attractive, they are actually less secure and provide only simple password protection which is easily removed.
Locking a PDF with Safeguard PDF SecuritySafeguard PDF Security locks PDFs (encrypt PDFs) using public key technology. There are no passwords to enter or remove or certificates to manage.
When you protect a PDF file, a corresponding key for the document is relayed to a server and stored encrypted. This key is transferred in encrypted form to an authorized user’s computer when they open the PDF document. The key is held encrypted in a keystore and the keystore is locked to the authorized computer so it cannot be moved to another device.
The protected PDF file is now locked from editing, copying, printing and screen grabbing – all of these security controls are enabled by default. You can optionally add watermarks that cannot be removed, add expiry to the PDF, and lock PDF orientation so it cannot be changed.
Safeguard PDF Security locks PDF files (encrypt, apply DRM and licensing controls) so they cannot be be copied, printed, edited, saved as (saved in unprotected form), or screen grabbed, and enables you to add dynamic watermarks to printed and viewed documents.
When you lock a PDF file using Safeguard PDF Security it encrypts the document and applies DRM controls – document protection is enforced no matter where the PDF file is stored or who it is sent to. PDF files are are locked to machines (devices) so they cannot be shared. If a locked PDF is sent to a unauthorized user they will not be able to open it since they need a decryption key. If a user forwards on their license file to another user then it will not activate since it is a one time use.
You can use Safeguard PDF Security to lock PDF forms and form fields from editing and from form submissions from being altered after they have been filled out.
If you have a document that contains a form then it will automatically be protected from editing – users can fill in fields but cannot edit form content. You can also encrypt form fields on submission so that data in PDF form fields cannot be changed.
For more information see locking fields in PDF forms.
What is a PDF Lock?A PDF lock is a method or technique for denying access to PDF encoded information. Although there are many ways of implementing access controls, such as passwords or registration codes, those are keys to open a PDF lock.
Some types of PDF lock are achieved with hardware – typically a ‘dongle’ which is a piece of hardware that must be present if the PDF lock is to be opened. Contrary to some recent ‘opinions’ the dongle is not obsolete and US law does not allow them to be removed UNTIL on an individual basis they are actually obsolete.
Other types of PDF lock are implemented in software, and these may require registration codes, user identification codes, as well as network or machine addresses to be present or provided. A PDF lock is a very important methodology supporting the application of DRM to PDF documents.
A PDF lock has to make use of encryption if it is going to prevent anyone from being able to process the PDF without a suitable key. And, of course, just like any other locks, there are different grades of PDF lock:
And whilst a PDF lock may show some of the characteristics of physical locks – only opening at certain times, not opening if the surroundings are wrong, and so on, it can extend the capability of the physical lock by addressing how the PDF is subsequently used. So a strong PDF lock should consist of a granular and layered architecture – decide what features are to be unlocked, and even for how long or under what circumstances – rather than a simple on/off mechanism.
Most importantly, a PDF lock must be able to prevent authorized users from passing on information after it has been unlocked.
Why lock PDF files?The main reason to lock a PDF file is to control how the PDF document can be used and to prevent users from making changes to it. The most common reasons are to:
Most people use Adobe Acrobat to lock PDF files (or a similar PDF editor). However these restrictions can be easily removed (or not even honored to begin with by some PDF Readers) so they are competely useless. If you want to lock PDF files from editing and control their use then using passwords or certificates to lock a PDF is not the way forward since it provides no protection.
Download PDF locking software: lock PDF from being edited, copied, printed, savedDownload PDF protection software that uses US Government strength encryption and digital rights management controls to lock PDF files without passwords or certificates.
Lock a PDF so it cannot be edited, copied, or printed. Stop users saving PDF files to unprotected formats. Lock PDF files to machines (individual devices) and locations so they cannot be shared – stop unauthorized sharing and distribution.
Safeguard PDF Security and Enterprise PDF DRM are a secure alternative to Adobe Acrobat PDF password protection – lock PDF docs securely to ensure they remain protected regardless of their location. Lock PDF files for viewing on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, or for online use in a browser.
See our customer testimonials and read our case studies to see why thousands of organizations use Locklizard PDF security to restrict PDF use, securely share documents and securely sell documents.
