How do I save a PDF so the reader cannot edit it?

Question

6 Years Ago

Hello Guys,

I am using Adobe Acrobat Pro extended and I have created a form. When I email it to someone they can still make edits, but I don't want them to be able to.

Thanks in advance
Vicky Milza

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Latest Post 6 Years Ago by rubberman

Nutster 58 · Answer 1 · 2013-03-02T10:51:54+00:00

Do you know how to sign the document with a security certificate? That can help prevent tampering. If someone else (without your certificate) edits the document, it breaks the signature. BTW, unless you created fill-in fields on your PDF page, somebody with Adobe Reader (or equivalent) will not be able to change the document. It will take someone else with editing software, like Acrobat.

tkdchamp -1 · Answer 2 · 2013-04-16T14:28:14+00:00

You could try to use PDFTK or QPDF - they both support rights management. Note that only Adobe Reader or Professional really listen to this. An open source Reader might not respect these blocks...

rubberman 1,355 · Answer 3 · 2013-04-18T16:37:07+00:00

I thought that Adobe Acrabat Pro had the ability to protect the document from subsequent edits. Have you checked the tools/options settings?