How can I prevent password protected pdfs from being converted online?

[sarahl12794970]

I have a website offering free downloadable pdfs. In order to protect the images and content in the pdfs I have password protected the files in Acrobat DC, but I've recently discovered that it's possible (and very easy) to convert the protected pdfs to word documents on some online pdf converters, allowing people to extract the images and other content. I currently have the security properties configured as follows:

• restrict editing and printing of document

• printing allowed

• no changes allowed

• enable copying of text, images and other content is unchecked

• enable text access for screen reader devices for the visually
  impaired is checked

• I have set a permissions password, and checked "encrypt all document contents except metadata"

Is the problem due to allowing text access for screen reader devices? I'd really like to know if there is any way I can prevent the protection from being bypassed so easily by these online converters! Any help would be much appreciated.

[gary_sc]

Unfortunately you have discovered a big issue with PW protection: it's only good for those applications that respect such protection. Obviously the online converters do not respect that protection.

What I'd suggest is to zip the PDFs and have them accessible via a PW to unzip them. You do not state if you are on a Mac or PC but you'll find a number of sites that provide instructions on how to do this on either program.

Good luck!

[sarahl12794970]

Thanks for your reply! The problem is really that anyone who has the pdf file can bypass the protection by uploading it to an online converter, so even if I zip the pdfs and provide a password to unzip them, that person can then just upload and convert them online. It seems there's no way around it if those applications don't respect the restrictions. 

[Amal.]

Hi there

Hope you are doing well and sorry to hear that. All Adobe products enforce the restriction set by the permission password. However, not all third party products fully support /respect these settings. Recipients using such third party products might be able to bypass these settings.

Additional information: Another way to protect the PDF file is to sign it digitally, as the file gets locked after the signature and any changes made after the signature will invalidates the signature.

Regards

Amal

[sarahl12794970]

Thanks for your help Amal. How does digital signing work exactly? The pdfs I offer on my website are printable materials for teachers to download. Would adding a digital signature to the pdfs affect users' ability to print them? Also, how would it affect pdfs with editable form fields? 

[Test Screen Name]

Digital signing does not stop other apps from editing. It just means that people can discover if this is the original signed file, or a modification. This is the way the online world works; if you can put it online, someone can steal it. Everyone from the smallest publisher to Disney have to face it.

[sarahl12794970]

OK, thanks for clarifying! Yes, it certainly seems it's inevitable..