Hey everyone, I'm sorry to be creating a thread about this, but this is a super worrying problem for me.
This is my problem:
I want to backup all of my work files and personal files and ebook files which are in the format of .PDF files. I was going to use an external USB HDD, BUT it seems so easy for someone to just open up a .PDF and just make slight changes to it like removing text or altering the text slightly so that the information is changed without me knowing it.
The best idea I had was that I could use a non-rewritable disc like a DVD-R to store the files.
I'd be VERY grateful for any help!
You can use password protection on your PDF files which is usually built into whatever PDF software you're using and it's best to use a password to restrict opening a PDF file than one to restrict editing it as software like Password Recovery Kit Professional can easily remove editing passwords but not to open it. You can also use Winrar or 7-Zip or similar compression software to password protect your files. Either way you should back up your files on either an external hard drive or a DVD or both as well as take a system image often to protect against loss of data. Other ways to protect very sensitive docs is to password protect it with Winrar or others then hide it inside a picture so most people opening the file will just see the picture without knowing there's something else in there
I recommend making passworded full images of your OS partition and data partition onto your reliable and trustworthy external media. Two platter-driven usb 1-3TB external HDs should be aok for your computer. For example, Macrium Reflect and Image for Windows are just two of many backup/restore programs that will let you password each full image you make.
Thanks so much!
I've got Adobe Acrobat installed. Is this all I need
What about ebooks that are not created by me? For example, ebooks made by an author?
You can password protect any pdf in Acrobat by clicking File/Properties/Security. See screens. A quicker way, if you have few people looking at your drive, is to put the pdf's in a folder and make it Hidden so someone would have to enable it in View (if he were really snoopy).
Wow, your screenshots are a big help!
I just tried doing that with 5 different .PDF files, but I'm given this error:
"The document's security method restricts what can be done to the document."
I tried uploading a screenshot to make it easier for you, but I couldn't get it to work.
EDIT:
I found another way called 'Protect' inside Adobe Acrobat that says this, but it's $15 a month and I want something free: Protect sensitive information
Prevent others from copying, printing and editing information in PDFs.
Do you want it protected from anyone seeing it or just editing it as you can protect your eBook files with Winrar or the free and excellent 7-Zip by archiving them with a password and saving on whatever media. Search Google on how to access the protection panel from the tools menu in Adobe and try to do the password from there
I'm given this error: "The document's security method restricts what can be done to the document."
Did you try to edit a pdf after entering the password ? Try it to see what IS restricted.
I tried uploading a screenshot to make it easier for you, but I couldn't get it to work.
See screens. Click icon in reply and use dialog box that opens.
The suggestion in post 7 is along the same line as my Hidden folder suggestion. Put the content you want to protect into a folder, zip it and add password. Do you regularly backup to recover orig's ? Is your computer password protected or why do others have access to view or edit YOUR files ?
Certainly nobody could alter the files on a DVD-R or CD-R after you'd burned it.
The best idea I had was that I could use a non-rewritable disc like a DVD-R to store the files.
Locking the media in a safe might give you some peace of mind.
I encrypt sensitive files, or folders with files, with Kryptel (freeware). Never forget your password!
