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how do I prevent download or sharing of a PDF file

Community Beginner ,
Aug 09, 2019 Aug 09, 2019

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If I want to link my PDF file so people can view it, but not share it, download it or even comment, how do I do that?  What Abode product will let me setup the way a Pdf document can be used for only viewing and nothing else, no download, no sharing, and no comments?

Thank you.

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Install update and subscribe to Acrobat

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correct answers 2 Correct answers

Aug 09, 2019 Aug 09, 2019

Unless you host your own PDF viewer on your website such that the PDF file itself is not internally downloaded by whatever PDF reader the user has on their computer (i.e., your website displays a raster bitmap of the PDF content), there is absolutely no way to prevent the file from being downloaded and shared using Abode (sic) software.

          - Dov

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Community Expert , Mar 09, 2022 Mar 09, 2022

You can restrict the usage of PDF files with Digital Rights Management (DRM).

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New Here ,
Feb 26, 2024 Feb 26, 2024

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Can they not share the link you send them though?

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Community Expert ,
Feb 26, 2024 Feb 26, 2024

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If you are referring to GoogleDrive, sharing can be limited to particular email addresses. 

 

In the long run, IMHO, it's a fool's errand--anything that can be viewed on screen can be copied in some manner. Protection is about keeping the honest people honest; the dishonest will find a way. 

 

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

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New Here ,
Jul 14, 2020 Jul 14, 2020

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That is possible sir i'll show you provide me link

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New Here ,
Aug 05, 2020 Aug 05, 2020

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I am interested in this solution.   Can you send a pointer?

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Community Beginner ,
Mar 25, 2021 Mar 25, 2021

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I faced the same issues when I wanted to share a pdf in an elearning but did not want the users to be able to download it. What I did was use the Adobe Reader DC app to export the pdf as an html web page, then embeded it as web object in my elearning package. Worked as intended after publishing. Users can not download it. Hope it helps. 

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Community Expert ,
Mar 25, 2021 Mar 25, 2021

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Sure they can. HTML pages can be downloaded just as easily as PDF files.

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Community Beginner ,
Mar 25, 2021 Mar 25, 2021

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True. But for my case my users are unlikely to save the entire webpage.
So I agree that this option may not be the best for all cases, but may work for some.

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