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Bob Caused This
Inspiring
March 18, 2016
Answered

PDF file with printing restrictions still prints from gmail browser

  • March 18, 2016
  • 2 replies
  • 6083 views

I have saved a pdf that is password protected. The file is pretty much locked down, no printing, no altering images, no copying text...

But the problem is that when the file is viewed as an attachment in gmail and comes up in 'preview' mode of the browser (in this case, firefox) it can be printed from the browser. any way to fix this? basically adobe security has been bypassed very simply even without a sophisticated hack. #disappointed adobe!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Dov Isaacs

Actually, it depends on how you password protect a document. If you simply put a password on the file, but don't encrypt it, yes, non-complying applications can and will open the PDF file. But you can encrypt.

See Securing PDFS with passwords, Adobe Acrobat.

           - Dov

2 replies

try67
Community Expert
try67Community Expert
Community Expert
March 18, 2016

This has nothing to do with Adobe. The fault lies entirely with the developers of Firefox (or possibly Google, if it's a part of Gmail) who didn't implement the security restrictions correctly in their PDF plugin. You should report this issue to them.

B
Bob Caused ThisAuthor
Inspiring
March 18, 2016

while that may be the case, it is still very disturbing. i feel violated. so what you are telling me is that an adobe pdf file that is security password protected really isn't?

try67
Community Expert
try67Community Expert
Community Expert
March 18, 2016

It is, as long as you're using Adobe software. In any other application it's up to that application's developer how they implement it.

The PDF specifications are open and anyone that wants to can create an application to open PDF files. Some people follow the specifications relating to security more closely than others.

A
Anonymous
March 18, 2016

Hi ,

If possible could you please share the file with us on dim85201@adobe.com?

We need to review the file at our end and update you regarding the same.

Regards

Sukrit Dhingra

B
Bob Caused ThisAuthor
Inspiring
March 18, 2016

coming your way now...

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