Is there any way to truly secure a PDF from all the unlock sites and software available?

[bump_and_run]

There are sites and software that will unlock secure PDFs now.  Is there any way to truly secure one so that it can't be unlocked by these sites/software?

Thanks,

Dave

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Only by using DRM protection.

[bump_and_run]

So am I correct in assuming that you can't truly secure a PDF that can be sent anywhere to anyone?  I'm not really familiar with DRM but I'm reading a couple of white papers and they talk about having to register to receive the file and then the file can't be sent to another computer. Is that correct?

[bump_and_run]

We just need to keep anyone from unlocking the document. We want it to be viewable and printable, but nothing else.

[try67]

DRM requires internet connection and an ID. It then contacts a server when the file is opened and makes sure the user's ID allows them to open the file. If so, it decrypts it and allows them to open it and do other operations, depending on the permissions assigned with their ID.

[Bernd Alheit]

Don't allow printing of the document.

[bump_and_run]

Not allowing printing doesn't change anything. Any of the sites or software can still unlock it.

[Bernd Alheit]

Use DRM protection and don't allow printing.