Encrypt with certificate - does this prevent the pdf from being shared/sent by the recipient?

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
December 27, 2020
6 replies
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Hi

I don't know a lot about encrypting a pdf in acrobat. If you encrypt with a certificate, does this prevent the recipient from sending your pdf file to other people?

I want to be able to send a pdf file to someone and ensure that only they can access it and they cannot email it, share it, download it, print it or redistribute to anyone else. Is this possible? If so how do you do it?

Security digital signatures and esignatures

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try67

Community Expert

I think there's a miscommunication issue here regarding the exact meaning of what you asked for.

Sharing a file (ie. sending it to someone else) is ALWAYS possible. Once a file is saved on your computer there's nothing that can be done to prevent you from sending it to someone else.

However, opening the shared file can be stopped, using something like DRM technology, or even a certificate security policy. The shared file on its own is useless if it can't be opened, of course.

So technically speaking, the answer to your question is No. However, assuming you meant to ask how to stop someone from being able to access a shared file, the answer is most likely Yes, but it is complicated and often expensive, if you want it to be secure.

ls_rbls

Community Expert

++ Adding to this discussion,

I'm afraid I will have to disagree with all comments in this thread.

"If you encrypt with a certificate, does this prevent the recipient from sending your pdf file to other people?"

Acrobat does provide a very defined way to prevent someone other than your intended recipient(s) from opening your file if they forward it to another person, specifically for legal professionals.

See how it's properly done using cryptographic keys with your own digital ID (or certificate):

How do I prevent someone from forwarding a PDF?

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

That is a very good page. It backs up what I said, that you can't stop a file from being forwarded; the focus needs to be on making sure that the file cannot be opened by unauthorized people, whether it is forwarded or not. I quote "While it is impossible to prevent someone from forwarding a file, you can prevent the next person from opening it."

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

I did a google search for "protect pdf from sharing" and several companies came up. However, I think they are mostly server-based services and have no idea how useful they are--that would require some research on your end.

I believe Adobe used to offer stronger PDF protection options with its LiveCycle Enterprise options. LiveCycle is now Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) but I don't know if they still offer this service. (It was also service based.)

https://www.adobe.com/marketing/experience-manager.html

Of course, I don't know if any of these options can prevent screen captures of the PDF.

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)