Disallow screenshot/capture

[millard_2306]

Hi Community,

Does anyone know if there is a way to disallow screenshots of a pdf? I want to prevent people from using snipping tool to capture images within the pdf?

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Not possible, at least not if the file is opened in Acrobat or Reader. Even if you did manage to do it, what will stop someone from taking out their phone and snapping a picture of the file on the screen?

[kglad]

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from using the community">

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Some websites out:

https://www.systoolsgroup.com/how-to/protect-pdf-from-screenshot/?srsltid=AfmBOopnL9T5rqrBk_rLumVm9e...

https://www.locklizard.com/stop-screenshots-grabbers/#:~:text=Preventing%20screenshots%20in%20the%20....

Not cheap!

Google "prevent screen capture in pdf" for more options

[millard_2306]

Attempted Locklizard as a trial and spoke to support. This tool only exports in a 'pdc' file format which I do not want unfortunaely...

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Not possible, at least not if the file is opened in Acrobat or Reader. Even if you did manage to do it, what will stop someone from taking out their phone and snapping a picture of the file on the screen?

[millard_2306]

I stamp architectural plans with my accreditation stamp and have noticed some clients will slightly update/change something within the plans and screen cpture my stamp and restamp themselves. This creates a type of forgery where I haven't actually approved these changes. Hoping to prevent this without arguing and losing clients.

[try67 · Accepted solution]

OK, then the solution is very simple. Digitally sign your files, and provide the clients with a public key file to validate your signature. Any modifications (or attempts to re-create your signature) will cause the validation to fail, and would prove the file was not created by you, or was modified without your approval after it was signed. Forget about trying to keep people from copying your signature, it's a waste of time and money.