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MartinBarnesCreative
MartinBarnesCreative
Participating Frequently
January 30, 2023
Question

PDF Protection Settings

  • January 30, 2023
  • 2 replies
  • 735 views

I'm working with a client who asked me to create a PDF document which they want to send out to  their clients/applicants.

 

The form includes designated text fields, check boxes etc. because the client baturally wants everyone to fill, sign and submit digitally, but still allow the ability for the form to be printed and manually filled in.

 

However, there is content in the PDF that needs to be protected from manipulation - so I thought no problem, I can password protect the editability side of things, while viewing could be password-free.

 

Previously, I thought that if I added a password to protect editability, and selected the changes allowed as "Filling in form fields, and signing" this allowed the form to be filled in and saved without the password.  Now, I'm getting feedback from the client that their appicants are either, being requested to enter a password to be able to fill the form fields in, or if the client fills in the form and returns it, viewing the returned form is password protected, and neither the client or applicant, or myself know what this "new" password is.

 

TLDR - Is it possible to partially password protect a PDF from being inadvertently manipulated by third parties, but filling in form fields and saving the PDF are allowed?

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    try67
    Community Expert
    try67Community Expert
    Community Expert
    January 30, 2023

    If you want to prevent the file from being manipulated (or, better said, to make it possible to prove the file has been manipulated) you should digitally sign it. If the file is edited, the signature will become invalidated.

    T
    Test Screen Name
    Legend
    January 30, 2023

    A lot of viewers will either ignore the password (rendering it pointless) or refuse to fill it. I believe Adobe's own Mobile Acrobat Reader will require no password, though I may be wrong. Just forget the password; it isn't clear what you're trying to protect from. 

    MartinBarnesCreative
    MartinBarnesCreativeAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    January 30, 2023

    Hi, thanks for the feedback - the form in question needs to contain content that:

    a) is legally required to be present on the form

    b) the client needs to ensure cannot be manipulated or copied by third parties

     

    A number of their clients insist on filling and signing forms digitally, therefore editing or copying the legal text needs to be prevented/restricted, but filling in form fields possible without a need for the password.  It's also not an option for said legal text to be added as an image, as the form needs to comply with accessibility tools (e.g. text readers).

    I can't divulge further into why the document needs to be set up this way due to confidentiality agreements with the client - hope that helps.

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