How to protect my PDF?

I was wondering if anyone knew any places where I can protect my PDF? I tried doing it in my pdf maker but I am not sure why I am still able to copy the ebook.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

Jim

 

I believe Adobe Acrobat is the only program where you can protect the contents of a PDF, i.e. prevent copy/paste, printing, etc.

 

I know but how do I obtain this feature, where do I get it?

 

You can use OpenOffice (freeware) writer to create Document file and then export as PDF. Security can be set when you export to PDF format.

http://www.openoffice.org/product/

How To Use Open Office To Create PDF-Files
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE9jdA5T9SM

 

I write my documents on MS word and then convert them to PDF when needed. the program that I use to convert to .doc to .pdf is free and it enables you to protect content from being copied/printed and you can even watermark it.

http://www.primopdf.com/primopdf_free_idx.aspx

 

Do both of those programs allow you to deny printing, copying, pasting, etc? Can you password protect it?

 

Thanks everyone who responded, i truly appreciate all the help.
Jim

 

The ONLY sure way to protect your document is to NEVER PUT IT ONLINE.

By definition, the ONLY way for a visitor to view the document is for the document to be downloaded to his computer. Once it is on the visitor's computer, YOU HAVE LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE DOCUMENT. If the visitor can view it, he CAN ALSO COPY IT.

All you can do is to make it harder to copy, but preventing copying is IMPOSSIBLE.

 

If your PDF ever becomes a huge hit and can make you serious money you absolutely need to worry about piracy. If your PDF is going to be sold to a smaller audience you may never have to worry about piracy. The only way to fully protect yourself is to offer a physical product that must be ordered and delivered. Or distribute your PDF for free and refer to products/services you offer for sale on your web site. This can be referred to throughout your book.

 

Thanks, Thalia -very useful tool

 

I found an online utility to protect PDF with a password : https://smallpdf.com/protect-pdf

 

What in hell is the point in requiring a password to view a pdf file? Further, once the pdf is on the viewers computer what good is a password?

 

Sometimes the information has to be secure for the user. Even if you copy the file and spread over the internet on a cloud storage. One has to know the password. Adobe has a facility to expire the password after a specific period of time. Therefore you wont be able to access information after the password is expired. It make the file more secure. User need to generate the file again with a new validity. It can be useful if you have membership based business model.

 

The OP is concerned about COPYING the PDF, NOT about restricting ACCESS to the PDF. If the PDF is NEVER accessed by the visitor, then it cannot be copied by the visitor. HOWEVER, once the visitor has the PDF on his computer, THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL THAT A PASSWORD WILL PREVENT THE VISITOR FROM COPYING THE PDF.

Yes, it is EMBARRASSING to answer the wrong question. Next time it might behoove you to read the question before you try to answer it.

 

There is a way to protect your pdf document. It is called Signature995. (signature995.com) There is a free option available that allows you to protect your pdf´s from editing / copying.

 

There is NO WAY POSSIBLE to PREVENT editing and copying of PDFs once they are on the users computer. All that can be done is to SLOW down the process.