|
Home / Computers
How To Prevent Thieves From Stealing Your PDF Ebooks!
By:Anthony Ellis
There are 2 main options for protecting your PDF file:
OPTION 1: Use Adobe Acrobat's basic protection.
Adobe Acrobat allows you to set basic protection for your PDF document. This includes:
* allow/disable the ability to copy text of document
* allow/disable printing of file
* allow/disable changing document
* require password to open document (Yes their password protection was broken a few years back, but it's still adequate protection and will keep out most people.)
Ideally, to use this option you should use Adobe Acrobat, however the high cost may put that out of reach of many. Fortunately, there are MANY, MANY inexpensive PDF creators that will allow you to also set some of these permissions.
Such as:
http://www.pdf995.com
http://www.pdffactory.com
http://www.deskpdf.com
There are also some standalone applications like: http://www.verypdf.com/encryptpdf/index.htm
Overall, option 1 is what I call "static protection". Meaning, once you choose the security and then distribute the file, you cannot change the security for those files that are already distributed. For example, you distribute a file to Client A in December. In January, your relations with the client become strained and you no longer want them to have access to your file. Unfortunately, with static protection, you cannot change their access permissions. It is already "set".
Though this option may allow you to prevent copying text within the file, it does NOT prevent a user from copying the entire file and redistributing it to others. Though it may allow you to require a password to access the file, the password can be easily passed around so anyone can have access. So it's not entirely secure and easily circumvented. If protection of your document is critical, you should boost protection using additional mechanisms.
OPTION 2: Use a third party protection system.
This option includes systems that offer "real time" control over your document. "Real time" means that you have the ability to change or alter the document security after it has been delivered to the end user. This is what I choose to focus on as it provides the greatest amount of security and post-distribution control.
Some just offer basic lock and unlock ability, while others go into more extensive PDF settings that can be altered at any point. Here are some things you should be looking for when evaluating a PDF protection system.
1. Does the system offer complete protection?
This the first thing you should look at because if the protection is not up to par, move on! You will never even get to the other points.
When evaluating protection features, make sure you check each feature out for yourself and don't always take the company's word about protection. Many times I have seen companies advertising certain protection features on their website, but in testing, the product doesn't seem to do what is claimed. So, always check first.
For PDF files, there are some basic areas that any adequate system must protect against. In order to be totally protected, the PDF security system you use MUST:
* Prevent saving a copy of file.
* Prevent emailing of file and exporting or extracting pages from file
* Prevent copying of file from the TEMP folder
* Prevent copying file and text to the clipboard
* Prevent redistilling of the file
* Prevent unlimited, uncontrolled printing of file
* Prevent access to file without permission
* Watermark all printed pages
If any system that you look into does not cover these, I recommend that you move on to something that does.
2. Can you afford it?
If the system passes the security test, the next thing you should look at is the cost of the system. Is it within your budget? Can you justify the price of this type of service? Do you buy the entire system and run it on your server, or is it a hosted service that charges you a monthly fee. There are pros and cons of both.
If you run the system on your server then you will avoid monthly fees, but these types of systems usually require extensive programming and integration work which can increase your overall costs and take weeks to months before you get up and running.
If you choose a third party system that is hosted by another company, you avoid the integration issue as most of these services can get you up and running in minutes to hours.
3. Does the system offer auto-distribution?
Does it automatically deliver your document to your customers and clients hands-free? If so, does it integrate with your payment system and/or shopping cart?
4. Is the system flexible?
The next thing you should look at is the flexibility. Does it allow you to tweak and modify the security options to fit your unique requirements? The ability to customize things such as program icons, customer download emails, thank you pages, etc. makes a big difference.
5. Is there any customer support?
What kind of support and help will you receive when you purchase the product or service? Is their any documentation of all features and uses? What good is having the best system if you don't know how to use it?
6. Is the Company reliable? Does it protect my data?
Is this company reliable? Do you feel that the the company will shut down, thus leaving your documents inaccessible and/or unprotected? Ask them what measures do they provide to ensure that your information remains protected in this event? Do they back up your data? If so, how often?
7. Can you demo the system?
Most companies offer a trial or demo period for free or a small fee. You should always try the system out to see it "in action". Set it up to do exactly what you are looking for and see if it works the way you need. Never sign up or purchase something that you have not yet tested.
8. Other questions?
Those are the major criteria, of course there are other things that you may want to consider such as:
* What is their cancellation/refund policy? Do they require a contract or can you sign up for a month to month service?
* Does their system use Acrobat Reader or another PDF viewer? If they use Acrobat Reader, do they have an Adobe DRM license which is required for all Acrobat reader security systems?
* Does it allow you to contact your database of users/clients
* Can you export your user database
There is a lot to consider when deciding on a PDF protection system. My advice is Do NOT rush into it. Because once you choose a system and start distributing files using that system, you are stuck with it.
Digg
del.icio.us
Blink
Stumble
Spurl
Reddit
Netscape
Furl
Article keywords: pdf, security, document, protection, password, lock, file, ebook, secure
Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com
File Secure Pro is a document protection and delivery system that allows users to securely distribute, monitor and control usage of their intellectual property. learn more at www.protectyourfile.com/ If you distribute important information online, File Secure allows you to start protecting your information within minutes.
|
|
| Top Computers Articles |
- 1). The danger behind peer-to-peer file sharing By : Migz Mon
File sharing is very common nowadays. You can get a P2P (peer-to-peer) program for free, and soon start sharing stuff like music, videos and programs. We use these applications freely and most of us don’t know the risks involved when using them.
Questionable reliability of files – Once we get our hands on a P2P program, we download everything we want like crazy.
|
|
|
|
|
- 4). Is The Internet Censored? By : J Schipper
When most people think about Internet censorship, the usual suspects immediately come to mind : Communist China and repressive Islamic countries. Unfortunately, Westerners have an embarrassment all their own : Australia's net censorship law, established in 2000.
Freedom House, a non-profit U.S. organization dedicated to spreading human rights and freedom, undertakes regular surveys on press freedom and censorship.
|
- 5). Toshiba Libertto U100, smaller yet better than you might imagine! By : john
Have you ever wondered how small a laptop can be? Well, utilizing today’s technology Toshiba does a perfect job at demonstrating it; the Libertto U100 is one of the very few laptops that have such a rich feature set fitted altogether within such a small space. Of course, if you believe that a fingerprint authentication system is too much for such a.
|
- 6). Does CCTV Really Reduce Crime? By : Robert Michael
In the UK, home of twenty percent of the world's CCTV cameras, there is mounting concern about its invasion and lack of regulation. "UK Public CCTV Surveillance Regulation Campaign."
The thought-provoking questions they ask are good ones.
They want to know, for instance, why, if television programming and licensing is so heavily regulated in the UK.
|
|
|
- 8). Preparation Tips For Comptia A+ Certification By :
The Industry Standard CompTIA A Plus Certification exam has two parts; approximately 80 questions for each part.
* Core Hardware: $153 - min. passing score 515
* Operating Systems Technology: $153 - min. passing score 505
(CompTIA corporate members can take the exams for $98, employers that require this test are usually corporate members and will inform you of this.
|
- 9). Can Cell Phones Harm Your Health? By : D Ruplinger
It seems like everywhere a person goes there is at least one person in view with a cell phone to their ear whether it is on the road, in a store, in a parking lot, walking down the street, etc. Even in places where cell phone usage is banned such as concert halls or movie theaters there is the occasional offender, or more likely, at least a few people using the text messaging feature on their phone.
|
|
|
| New Computers Articles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 5). If You Want Flexibility And Portability Consider A Laptop By : Gregg Hall
If you are one of those who works with a computer on a daily basis like me you should consider a laptop. I have actually owned three now and I think I would be lost without mine. I still use my desktop PC quite a bit at home but the laptop comes in extremely handy when I am away.
|
|
|
- 7). Becoming A DVD Repair Expert Online By : Maxine Schel
Many conventional colleges and universities are now offering online DVD repair courses, which are the exact same as those taught on a traditional college campus, to distance learners. Online education is generally taught through the use of several different methods, including online satellite feeds, correspondence or online lessons. This technique permits the student to obtain a DVD repair degree without ever having to step inside of a classroom.
|
- 8). Compatible Inkjet Cartridge By : Isabel Rodrigues
Once the printer ink runs dry it has to be replaced with another inkjet cartridge. There are many reputed companies like Canon, Epson, Dell, and Lexmark that provide the necessary cartridges to replace the empty cartridges. Replacing inkjet cartridge can add to a very big cost. It could be worse if you have to replace the empty cartridges frequently every month.
|
- 9). Best Passwords By : Richard Romando
No sane person would ever like someone else reading her email. Or for that matter some other person using her password and breaking into a financial institution. You should, therefore, choose a strong, secure password in such a manner that would be a hard nut to crack for others and easy for you to remember. The more random and mixed-up you make it, the harder it is for others to crack.
|
- 10). Home Printing Machines By : Peter Vermeeren
Home printing machines are available on the market today in many sizes, prices and capabilities. Many different forms of printing can be accomplished in the home. Whether you want to create unique tee-shirts using a home screen printing machine or you want to produce elegant laser printed letters, the equipment is readily available to you for home use.
|
|
|
