PDFs are the most popular format for businesses and a go-to choice for personal use. No wonder people often use PDF files to share a wide range of information, including sensitive data.
While PDF documents are quite secure and less prone to easy edits compared to formats like Word, there are times when they require additional layers of protection. Luckily, there are various ways to protect PDF files entirely or in part. In this article, you will learn how to password-protect a PDF document, as well as other ways to hide sensitive info from unwanted viewers.
About Digital Document Redaction
PDF documents can carry all sorts of information. Often, certain data must be protected or covered up before sharing the document. If you need to create and send a confidential PDF, you can redact it. Redacting a digital file implies covering certain information with a rectangle so it is not easily visible and accessible to other people. This info might include personal data, banking information, sensitive company data, etc.
The main goal of redacting data in a document is to make sensitive information inaccessible. If you choose to simply delete or black out something from a PDF file, you can restore this data in different ways. Redaction, on the other hand, allows you to get rid of the sensitive information for good. Various tools help users conveniently edit a PDF on Mac and other platforms.
Why You Should Redact Your PDF Documents
There are many reasons why people may need to protect PDF files even further in addition to the security this format already offers. Here are some of them:
- Secure online sharing: Sharing a PDF file online means there is a probability that many people will access it, even if the file is not meant for them. All sensitive data requires added protection, and you should consider redacting your files or setting a password if you want to share a PDF over the Internet.
- Removing personal info: Personal data is sensitive information as well, and it is important to protect it from unauthorized access. If your file contains phone numbers, addresses, or other personal information, you might want to redact it before releasing the file online.
- Removing banking data: Another type of sensitive personal information is banking details. Credit card and social security numbers, transaction history, etc. can be dangerous to share on the Internet. It is always advised to protect your files heavily if you want to share this info or redact it to keep such data safe.
- Complying with regulations. Certain data might legally require protection or disclosure. It usually concerns company policies or certain laws in the country.
Digital security is essential these days, and it is crucial to protect your data properly.
Redacting PDF Files
You cannot edit PDF documents as easily as many other virtual formats, so redacting them will also require a special approach. If you want to black out text in PDF, you will need to use designated tools. Thankfully, secure online services like PDFGuru allow editing and redacting your PDF files effortlessly in seconds. Follow this quick guide on how to hide sensitive information in PDF files:
- Upload your document to an editing tool.
- Find and select the “Redact” tool from the toolbar.
- Black out all the information you want to redact from the document.
- Finish editing and save your file to finalize changes.
Certain services allow redacting your documents automatically using AI technology. This way, you will not need to back out all the information manually. Such solutions are convenient for large documents with a lot of sensitive data.
Using Password Protection and Other Methods for PDF Files
Another common solution to protecting your PDF documentation is setting a unique password. This way, only users who know it will be able to access the document. Set a strong password in the document settings to password-protect PDF, and it will be necessary to insert this code to open the file even on other devices.
Apart from setting a password, it is possible to prohibit users from copying or printing the document. You can find these settings in the security features. Preventing other users from copying certain files can add another layer of security, although it is not the safest solution to protect your sensitive data.
PDF encryption is a powerful way of protecting any sensitive data in your files. It is the most secure solution as it utilizes cutting-edge technology which allows securing your data, and only people who have an appropriate encryption key can access the file.
Conclusion
PDFs are often used to share various documentation that contains sensitive data, which is why it is crucial to protect your files. The data in PDF documents can be redacted to be fully removed and protected from intervention. It is also possible to protect your PDFs using other methods, such as encryption or a strong password.
