One of the most easily exploitable safety susceptibilities lies in printers. And in many instances, within companies and small businesses, printers are often left unmonitored in the same manner as other networked devices. This could leave your PDF files and classified information susceptible to theft, fraud and illegal modification.
There are many reasons why you need to disable your PDF files from being printed. And these reasons can be as varied as the reasons you created the PDF file in the first place.
However, two of the main fundamental reasons are:
- To control access on who can view your PDF file and
- Control who can alter your document.
These aspects are specifically crucial if your PDF files contain confidential data or you are looking to send information that should not be altered.
4 Reasons to Disable PDF Printing
Let’s look at some of the primary grounds on why you need to disable PDF printing.
1) You are Protecting Copyright and Intellectual Property
Safeguarding the data in your PDF file from copyright infringement is a major reason you need to disable PDF printing.
Locking your PDF file against printing typically involves adding password protection. However, password based permissions can easily removed by using free online tools, allowing unauthorized users to print your PDF files.
While copyright law in the United States safeguards your original works from being reproduced without permission, these same laws may not apply in other countries to preserve your work.
Finding the individual or entity who has robbed you of your copyrights and intellectual property can be akin to trying to locate a needle in a haystack.
Hence, the only way that has been proven to protect your copyright and intellectual property from being printed, in addition to preventing the copying, distribution, alteration etc., of your PDF files without your permission, is through PDF DRM.
2) The Integrity of your Content
Preventing your PDF file from being printed protects the integrity of the content in your document.
For instance, if you have made suggestions on a PDF file or have approved the final version before sharing it, locking the file from being printed can prevent any individual from making physical changes on the file later.
Another instance where content integrity is vital is if you have embedded forms in the PDF file for intended members or reviewers to fill out. If your PDF file is not disabled for printing, users could alter the embedded forms digitally and print them with their version either deliberately or accidentally.
PDF DRM prevents any users from digitally changing your PDF file in the first place, thus adding an added layer of copy protection to your file and further preventing the user from printing it.
3) Digital Signatures
Adding a digital signature to your PDF file could prove that you have reviewed and approved the content. However, it leaves it accessible for the individual to continue printing the file.
Besides, several applications on the Internet can allow malicious actors to modify digital signatures with a few tweaks. With PDF DRM, users or recipients are prevented from changing the PDF file and re-saving them as unprotected files. That being the first level of security, they are further discouraged from making changes and printing the file. In addition, the right PDF DRM will also enable you to securely print your documents by allowing limited copies that have been locked and watermarked with unique user information.
4) Providing Access only to Intended Users or Members
If your PDF file has confidential information, classified and meant only for an intended user or member, preventing the file from being printed can prevent unauthorized users from opening or reading the document.
DRM secures your PDF files from being sent to other people. That means, even if the recipient is authorized to read the data in your PDF DRM protected file, they cannot send the file to any other user unless you have provided authorization to them.
PDF DRM enables you to create print disabled PDF files that you can change whenever required. That means, if you choose to allow printing for a specific user even after you’ve sent the file, you can do so as and when needed.
Conclusion
It is crucial to prevent your PDF documents and files from being printed as they can be easily photocopied or scanned, and further disseminated. If your documents are PDF DRM protected, you can be assured that printing is prevented, and other stringent DRM controls applied to disallow sharing.
To ensure that your PDF files are print disabled, you need to use the right PDF DRM system that enforces strict print controls and ensures no individual can remove or bypass the controls.