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SECURE PDF VIEWER
PDF document security viewer implementing DRM controls
The Lizard Safeguard Secure PDF Viewer enables authorized viewing of protected PDF files published in the PDC format.
Safeguard Viewer is a FREE standalone application that enforces the licensed use of protected PDF documents (for example how long they can be viewed, if they can be printed, etc.). Document controls are set and licensed by the publisher and cannot be altered by the user or LockLizard.
Copy control measures enforce document protection whilst remaining transparent to the document user - no passwords are required or distributed to grant access to protected PDF content.
Protected PDF documents are only ever decrypted on-the-fly in memory. Files are never saved to disk in temporary format or to the Windows swap file. Secured PDF content cannot be compromised by other applications or the common Adobe PDF security flaws and cracks.
To achieve independence we use our own viewer, ensuring that security is not compromised by plug-in failures or conflicts. In fact, we believe that plug-ins are potentially so insecure that we prevent them from loading so they can't compromise our security. See Adobe PDF plug-in vulnerabilities.
PROTECTED PDF SCREEN SHOTS
To view a protected PDF file (PDC file), double-click on it in Windows File Explorer.
The secure PDF viewer then automatically loads displaying the decrypted PDF file.
PDF DRM CONTROLS FOR COPY PROTECTION
When publishers create protected documents they have to specify their licensing requirements. These are used to enforce PDF controls used to stop copying, prevent printing, disable print screen, and other DRM protection measures used to protect copyright and prevent intellectual property theft.
There are some general controls that must be present. Secure information must always be protected from screenshots and screen grabbing. Secure PDF documents must be locked to individual computers to make sure they cannot be shared. These controls cannot be achieved without the use of application software (a Viewer) that can effectively enforce these requirements.
You can check to see the PDF controls that have been applied to a document and who the publisher is by placing the mouse over the protected document, or by right clicking on it, selecting Properties (last option on the panel) and then clicking on the Secure PDF file tab. Users and publishers need to be aware of the controls that are available, and that controls may overlap. A list of controls and their impacts is given below.
- The publisher may have placed controls on the document that require you to connect to the Internet whenever you want to use a document, or connect occasionally, and the viewer will automatically enforce those controls. If an Internet connection is required the document will not open until the license has been checked.
- The publisher may only have licensed you to view a document for a specific number of times. If that is the case you must be connected to the Internet in order to view the document.
- The document may no longer be usable after a certain number of days from when you first viewed it, or it may be set to expire on a specific date.
- You may or may not be able to print a document (the print icon therefore may or may not be enabled) and/or printing may be limited to a number of copies.
- When you print a document a watermark image or text may be displayed on the printed document and this may include your name, company name, email address, and a date/time stamp.
- You may be prevented by the publisher from viewing a document in thin-client and virtual environments unless you obtain a license for the environment.
- The publisher may have prevented use of the document on Macintosh operating systems or have prevented printing on Macintosh operating systems.
- The viewer window size may be preset and fixed if the publisher has decided on that option, and/or certain viewer controls may not have been made available.
- The publisher may have licensed you to view a protected PDF document on one or more computers. However, one computer is the default license.
- Details of when your account with the publisher of the document expires (if ever) and also when the document you are viewing expires (if ever) are displayed at the bottom of the viewer window in the status bar.
PDF DECRYPTION
When you view a secure PDF document (PDC file) for the first time, the viewer software will check if it already has the correct key needed for decryption so that you can view it. If it does not, the viewer will check with your publisher’s administration server to see if you have been granted access to the document, and the rights that pertain (you MUST be connected to the Internet at this point). If access is allowed then the decryption key is securely transferred from the administration server to the viewer and you are then able to view the document.
If access is not allowed, a message, set by the publisher, will be displayed telling you how they wish to be contacted so that you can gain access to the document.
After a document has been successfully opened, you may not need to connect to the Internet unless the publisher of the document requires this or you take an action such as making a printed copy, that has to be verified online before it can be allowed.
If a publisher has protected documents to a publication that you have been granted access to, then once you have viewed one document from that publication, you will not have to connect to the Internet again to use other documents in that publication, unless the publisher's controls require you to.
See the Secure PDF Viewer in action - Secure PDF Viewer demo
SECURE PDF VIEWER FEATURES
- FREE secure viewer software to view protected PDF documents that may be distributed only without modification
- No insecure plug-ins or weak implementations - see Technical Information
- Content decrypted in memory
- No temporary files created on disk
- Simple for users to license - just double-click on a license file to register
- Transparent real-time web based user validation
- No passwords for users to enter, manage, forget or pass on to others
- Complete off-line protection - no need for users to connect to the Internet to use protected documents once they are licensed
- Automatically prevents document copying, modifying and saving
- Automatically prevents use of Windows print screen and screen grabber applications
- Automatically prevents printing to file, PDF format (Acrobat distiller and other PDF print drivers), common image printers, etc.
- Persistent end-to-end protection throughout a documents life-cycle
- Works with the following operating systems: Windows 2000, Windows 2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac OSX 10.4 and above
LockLizard PDF Security - Secure PDF viewer to unprotect PDC files. Decrypt LockLizard PDF security. Protected PDF document viewer with DRM controls - PDC secure viewer.
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