PDF or portable document format is the most common format of sharing files online and there are various reasons why you need to keep it protected. If your business requires confidential emails and documents to be shared or you want to restrict the access of the files for certain people then locking your PDF files would be the best option for you. Two of the main reasons that come in our mind at first when we think to protect pdf are- to control the access of the document and to manage who can change the document. But there are also some reasons you might want to consider to understand the importance of locking PDF files.
Provides copyright protection
Locking your PDF file will ensure protection against copyright infringement and can save you from getting your original work copied. You can prevent unauthorized access from copying the document by adding a password to the file and securing the originality. Though most of the countries provide strict action against copyright infringement it is recommended to keep your work safe beforehand by securing it with an extra layer of protection.
Maintaining content integrity
Locking the PDF will protect the integrity of the document and prevent anyone from altering the file if any changes that you’ve made including adding comments on the document or approving a specific version of the document before exporting. You can also prevent any changes regarding embedded forms if there are any in the file.
Limiting unauthorized access
You can prevent unauthorized access and control who can open and read the document by protecting the file with a password. Limiting unauthorized access is important especially if the file contains any information that is confidential and is meant to be accessed for certain people only.
Prevents unwanted distribution
Locking your PDF is highly beneficial when you’re selling the file or making the file accessible for subscribers only. When you’re making the PDF public make sure to prevent it from leaking or distributed without your permission. Locking the file will ensure it gets published to the masses and from unpaid downloads. If you use encryption to secure a PDF file, others cannot download or even open it without the decryption key which gives you full protection against unauthorized downloads.
Restrains from sharing without permission
By protecting your file with an encrypted password, it provides plenty of security including prevention of unwanted sharing of the files. This ensures complete protection against sharing files by unauthorized users without your knowledge and control. The asymmetric encryption algorithm can safeguard the files containing important information and maintain integrity.
Conclusion
Securing your PDF file with an encrypted password will prevent unauthorized users from editing, printing, copying, and viewing along with commenting, signing, and changing form fill-ups. Ensure the confidentiality of the information by using a password protected PDF file.