Limiting Copying of PDF Files?

[Pitre]

I believe there are software tools available to fingerprint or watermark PDF files so that you can make it more difficult for recipients to make untraceable or illegitimate copies? I know you can't prevent duplication but I just want to increase security around our small circulation digital magazine.

Anyone got any experience or recommendations...?

[Doofus]

Adobe Acrobat will do it, but presumably you want it done for free?

[Pitre]

Doofus said:

Adobe Acrobat will do it, but presumably you want it done for free?

Not necessarily free, but not 'expensive'. Happy to pay for a decent solution...

[Doofus]

Acrobat's about £12 a month, I think.

[Pitre]

My understanding is that acrobat simply adds encryption using a password but that this can be simply circumvented?

Is there not a better and more secure solution...?

[boxst]

The only way I could realistically do this is write a program that takes a spreadsheet of names, gently watermarks their PDF (not adobe watermark but actual text) and then use encryption and a password.

The idea being that even if you circumvent the password etc .. you still have your name watermarked on the document which may get you to think twice about distributing it.

I used http://www.asppdf.com/ on an old webserver.

[Doofus]

I don't know of you still can.but you usd to be able to add a watermark through Page Setup on Windows.

[duff-man]

You can use Microsoft Information Protection if you have the correct business license.