Publish Online PDF Security

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
November 20, 2016
5 replies
1450 views

When I use Publish Online, since I'm not directly exporting a PDF, how do I set the downloadable PDF version so that the document cannot be edited or printed?

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Correct answer Steve Werner

You can't. PDF presets created in InDesign cannot include security settings. You should not turn on the PDF option in Publish Online.

Instead, create a PDF in Acrobat which has security settings and send it separately.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

Thank you for the clarification. Important points. My emphasis is that if someone wants to steal it, they can.

mega67746861

Participant

Does this prevent others from sharing the pdf? For instance, if someone downloads my pdf, can they then send it to their friends? Are there security settings to prevent this?

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

Once you’ve downloaded something, anything, it’s your file and you can copy it, share it or republish it.

Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com

Legend

Once you’ve downloaded something, anything, it’s your file and you can copy it, share it or republish it.

Clarification on the last part...

Although you could republish the PDF's content, it's usually a violation of copyright law (national and international) to do that.

And for licensed publications and other PDFs, sharing the PDF could also violate the publisher's copyright and your purchase/download EULA.

Just because you can do something doesn't mean it's legal.

|    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |

C

ConquestAuthor

Known Participant

Thanks Steve. I need the PDF to be downloadable. I just wanted to keep the document from being edited, but it's unlikely anyone will, so I'll go with it.

Bevi Chagnon - PubCom.com

Legend

I just wanted to keep the document from being edited

That's an easy security setting to add in Acrobat/File Properties.

And although determined thieves can get around it, I'd still do it to keep the majority of folks' fingers out of the PDF.

Just make sure to choose the option to allow screen readers to access the content.

|    Bevi Chagnon   |  Designer, Trainer, & Technologist for Accessible Documents ||    PubCom |    Classes & Books for Accessible InDesign, PDFs & MS Office |