How to restrict pdf file from copying and editing

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
May 13, 2021
7 replies
3093 views

Hi, I am planning to sell PDF artwork online so my customers will be able to download and print files at home. I have set a password for my pdf files in Indesign to restrict editing. When I drag and drop the pdf file in Illustrator, it requires entering a password which is very good. However, it isn’t working with Preview (mac)! When I open Preview, there’s a thumbnail on the left bar where I can still drag and drop my work in Illustrator with all the layers. Does anyone know how to fix that? Thank you!!

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Kurt Gold

Community Expert

This photo tremendously fires my imagination, Ton.

For sure, it is not recommendable to look at or into my brain at the moment.

Kurt Gold

Community Expert

There may be a weird darkroom behind that green door, but I'm pretty sure it is just a harmless tool shed or a storage for potatoes.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

I hope this doesn't spoil your fantasy...

michelew83603738

Community Expert

Nice!

Kurt Gold

Community Expert

Is that your property on the picture, Ton?

To be on the safe side I would pass the yellow gate on the left, just to conserve the yellow flowers at the right.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

No, Kurt. It was just a picture I saved for an occasion like this.

But this is where I live (the fenced has been fixed since the picture was taken).

JonathanArias

Legend

A password protected .pdf can be broken if you just open that .pdf with a web browser and save as with a different name.

If you are selling the art work, why would people edit it? Why are you doing the password protection?

Kurt Gold

Community Expert

Can you remember the tiny all-aluminium bike locks that were popular in the sixties and seventies of the past century? They could be cracked with a pair of tweezers in ten seconds.

The same applies to current PDF "Security" settings.