Here at the Protect my PDF blog, we are often asked how to secure a PDF file. Our first response is always to ask the person if they have released their PDF yet.

If the answer is, “no, the PDF has not yet been released” that’s good. If the answer is, “yes, we already have copies out there” then that’s a problem. Why?

Because, like locking the stable door after the horse has bolted, it’s too late. Even one copy of your PDF ebook or other PDF file, in the wrong hands is one too many and there are likely already scores of unauthorized PDF copies floating around.

The only time to secure a PDF is before it has been released. And these are the steps that should be taken.

1. Use a PDF protection system that contains live monitoring of who is accessing your PDF file. Monitor their name and IP address.

2. Use a secure PDF system that places a shell around your PDF that prevents unauthorized viewing.

3. Secure your PDF with a protection system that enables you to remove access to your PDF, whenever you choose. This is critical.

4. Do not allow printing of your PDF. Even in protection systems that claim to stop copying via the print process (printing to Adobe Acrobat and making a 100% unprotected copy, for example) the results of these systems is less than perfect. Instead, offer a printed, hard copy of your document as a stand-alone item (for additional profit if you desire)

5. Make sure you can evaluate your prospective PDF protection system for low cost, before rolling it out on a larger scale

6. Make sure your PDF protection system has versions that work with both PC for PDF protection and Mac PDF protection. Many protect PDF methods only work with one or the other operating system.

7. For our recommended solution that has all of the above features, with a demo video of how it works, please visit here

Using this two-minute PDF security analysis, you’ll see in detail, any weaknesses of your current level of PDF protection. And what you need to do to get the appropriate level of PDF security for your business or personal  needs.

Many eBook authors and producers today neglect to protect their PDF in a thorough manner, and end up regretting their PDF security decision later. Because in a few short weeks, hundreds, if not thousand of unauthorized copies of their PDF are sure to become available online.

How do PDF thieves manage to get around the PDF protection many eBook authors choose to use? The primary method most PDF authors use is the password method. That is, a special password they send to authorised users of the PDF file by email. Together with instructions to use this password to enable opening of the PDF file, this goes a small way toward preventing massive copying.

But the PDF password method to open a PDF file alone, can never be very effective, for the simple reason that the password can be easily passed along with the PDF file itself. As part of a single zip file, attached to the PDF file.

This is the main weakness in PDF security using a password, alone. It’s too easy for others to pass around.
What other solutions are there? Adobe Acrobat does have other, more complex PDF security methods, but they are quite complex. And Adobe Acrobat is not a cheap program to buy in the first place.

A number of alternate, more secure PDF protection methods are available that not only place a protective shell around your PDF document, they also offer real-time monitoring of who is opening your PDF file and how often.

This is offers much greater security because not only do you know that your PDF file has been opened, you can also withdraw user access to your PDF files at any time you want.

If you have a question about how enhanced PDF protection and security systems like these work, please take a look at these Frequently Asked PDF Security Questions.

What happens if you don’t protect your PDF documents?

Real-life PDF Security Failure Example;

I launched an ebook in 2007, on how to market a business online, using pay per click marketing. I chose not to protect my PDF with any PDF security, other than the standard protection available within Adobe Acrobat. Today thousands of unauthorized PDF copies are floating around the internet – costing me tens of thousands of dollars in lost sales.

The most common kind of simple PDF protection available within Adobe Acrobat, are;

• using a password to prevent people highlighting & copying your text – then pasting into a word document or similar

• using a simple password that people must enter to open the PDF document

Is Password PDF Protection Effective?

Clearly not. Someone who says ‘protect my PDF’ and expects it to be done with a password, alone, has this to worry about;

A Google search for the term, “PDF Torrent” yields about 77,500,000 results. Today’s wired world virtually assures that if your document is even remotely desirable, massive file sharing will occur. If a protective security shell is not placed around your PDF document, thousands of PDF copies will be distributed against your wishes.

Relying on PDF Passwords is Deadly

Yet many companies and individuals continue to rely on these weak security methods to prevent online theft. Here are 3 good reasons to protect your PDF with stronger security than the simple password methods available from within Acrobat;

1. If PDF protection is not in place, massive copying of your file is virtually assured, bringing financial losses to you and your company

2. Your copyright protection can be weakened by the fact you did not take necessary precautions. A judge may not look seriously upon any complaint you have, if you have not made a good effort to protect your intellectual property. This has been shown to be a loophole, allowing digital thieves to escape prosecution in a number of recent cases.

3. Digital thieves may be encouraged to look further into your online activities, seeking additional ways to steal from you, knowing that you have security holes in even the most simple areas – your documents

What are Some Practical PDF Protection Alternatives?

Simple, inexpensive and easy to use PDF protection methods are available, including versions where a customer can download only a specially-protected version of your PDF, and opened up on their computer using a special code. But here’s the critical part; such protection must not only be a password. It must also include live, real-time monitoring of when and from where (IP address) your file is being opened.

In this way, you can monitor who is opening your PDF files online, when and from where.

Additionally, such a PDF protection system must include the facility to withdraw access to your PDF files – at your discretion – from anyone you wish. Book Guard Pro is an easy-to use system that has all these features; code protection, live monitoring of PDF usage and the ability to withdraw access at any time.

Versions of Book Guard Pro are available that enable their PDF file protection system to be used on both Windows PCs and Macs. To download a live example of this easy and inexpensive PDF protection system, click here.

A PDF protection coupon is available here where you get one month of PDF protection free.

For step-by-step PDF protection videos and further details of the easy steps to protecting  and monitoring your PDF documents, please watch PDF protection videos here .