Online PDF editors are safe only if they meet criteria regarding data privacy and file security. There are many tools to edit PDFs online, and some websites have outstanding security protocols, whereas others lack credibility.
When using PDF editors, it is vital to choose reliable ones to prevent data leaks and loss, file damage, or similar issues. So, in this article, we will share the key aspects to look for in an editor if you want to have a safe experience when using or modifying PDFs.
Key Takeaways
- Safe online PDF editors must adhere to strict security protocols, data protection policies, and document retention regulations.
- Using a trustworthy editor can help you avoid data breaches, privacy endangerment, and intellectual property issues.
- Besides safety, it is important to know the difference between free and paid services, as well as cloud-based vs. web-based editors.
- PDF.net is one of the best PDF editing solutions, considering safety, quality, and technological advancement.
Understanding the Security Concerns With Online PDF Editors
As mentioned, PDF editing websites are safe, provided they meet several safety requirements, including document processing and vulnerability resilience.
That said, let’s examine the security concerns with online PDF editors in detail:
What Happens to Your Documents Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes, your documents pass through a few processing stages. First, editors transfer your files to remote servers, and this process is known as uploading. Then, online editors render your document in an SVG or HTML5 canvas format.
Next, the editing tools create a layer, allowing you to modify your file. For instance, you can add text to your document or annotate your PDFs. The following process includes applying changes to your file and downloading it.
Editors can streamline this entire procedure in two ways: server storage or browser-based processing. Both of these use remote services to process your documents, and you need an Internet connection to use each.
The main difference between the two is that server storage implies cloud computing, which dynamically assigns storage and other resources based on immediate needs. In contrast, browser-based processing has a limited set of resources, which are the same for any action.
So, if you use a secure editor, it will be safe to open PDFs in browsers regardless of the data processing type.
The Most Common Security Vulnerabilities
If you have wondered whether it is safe to merge PDFs online or if other tools like online PDF fillers are secure, you should know that this directly depends on security vulnerabilities.
For example, using unreliable PDF editors can lead to unsecured data transmission risks. Specifically, it may not be safe to convert PDFs online or compress such files, as you may lose information along the way.
Similarly, a third party may access your document using scanning software to get sensitive data or do this manually. Besides this being possible during the upload/editing/download process, it can also happen after you modify your file if it remains in the cloud storage.
To avoid this, you should look for editors whose privacy policy is strict and states that only you can access your documents during and after editing. Another key stipulation is that a certain editor will remove all your files once you are done using its services.
Real-World Consequences of Insecure PDF Handling
PDFs can be malware, or you may use low-security editing software, all of which can lead to information leaks, compromising risks, and copyright infringement.
Unfortunately, business data breach scenarios are common due to using untrustworthy tools, not removing metadata from PDFs, or similar errors. In addition, there’s a risk of exposing private information you want to keep secret for personal reasons.
Lastly, companies and other professionals have patents, inventions, and other original creations, which they may lose before claiming their rights because of unsafe PDF handling.
How to Identify Secure Online PDF Editors
To identify secure online PDF editors, you should pay attention to essential protection features, red flags in privacy policy, and trust indicators to distinguish right from wrong.
Here are the factors you should consider to determine whether online PDF editors are safe:
Essential Security Features That Protect Your Documents
The safest PDF editors are the ones with high-end security features, such as encryption, Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certifications, two-factor authentication, or similar ones.
The first indicator that online PDF editors are safe is encryption, which scrambles and renders the document unreadable to anyone who accesses it without permission.
Moreover, an SSL certification ensures encryption in the sense that it creates a link between a web browser and a web server, protecting your file during the editing process. This also means you can open a PDF safely within the editor after you save it to your storage.
Additionally, two or multi-factor authentication requires you to verify your identity in multiple ways (e.g., email + SMS), enhancing your account and overall security.
Finally, we recommend checking for document deletion guarantees, meaning your file will be permanently deleted from a certain cloud storage once you finalize the editing process.
Privacy Policy Red Flags to Watch For
Another type of safety test you can run to determine if online editors are safe is to check for specific privacy policy statements. In fact, you may use the safest PDF converter or editor regarding security tools (e.g., encryption), but lose the right to your document due to particular ownership rules.
Similarly, you may password-protect PDFs or add other restrictions (e.g., make PDFs non-editable) to secure your documents, but lose your data to third parties. This can happen because the website terms may state that a third party can access your file while you are modifying it.
Furthermore, you should watch for the retention document period, which indicates how long a website can keep your file before deleting it. If such a period is extensive, we advise you to consider an alternative to such an editor.
Plus, when agreeing to certain terms and conditions, be mindful of marketing permission defaults. These stipulations regulate the automatic choices platforms can make instead of you in case you don’t make any. For instance, if you finish editing a document but don’t download it and forget about it later, an editor may keep it in the cloud storage unless you return to finish the download process.
Some editors may even have hidden clauses about analysing the content of your files for research or marketing purposes. However, you may face data theft if you use questionable software with such a privacy policy.
Trust Indicators That Separate Secure From Sketchy Editors
To spot safe online PDF editors, you need to focus on general compliance regulations and indicators that must be visible and transparent for every user.
Let’s see the most important signs of a secure editor:
- Security badges and certifications. If a certain website has passed official quality and safety controls, it will feature the 'verified by or protected by’ checkmarks or similar labels. Therefore, you can use its services without worrying about security.
- Transparent company information. Unless a business publicly discloses all the relevant operational data, you should not consider it reliable.
- User review and reputation. You can check user ratings on the editor’s website, as well as on credible sites like Trustpilot, to learn if specific online PDF editors are safe.
- Business longevity and credibility. If a brand has existed for many years and you know that many users enjoy its services, this is a clear sign that you should trust it.
- Server location and applicable privacy laws. A website with servers located in the country of its residence or in non-suspicious places is probably a secure one. Also, a site must work under general and enforceable acts and laws to be trustworthy.
The PDF.net Security Advantage
PDF.net is a safe online PDF editor that protects your documents and sensitive data, allows you to set your preferences for file handling, and has relevant certifications for security regulations.
Let’s check these aspects in detail:
How PDF.net Protects Your Sensitive Documents
PDF.net protects your sensitive documents with various encryption protocols. Additionally, it offers the right to data deletion and boasts beneficial browser-based data processing.
Specifically, we use Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), a symmetric key cryptography algorithm. Such a security measure provides high protection levels as it creates an encrypted link between your file and our servers, preventing anyone from accessing it.
Moreover, our browser-based information processing further boasts user experience by ensuring faster load times and a user-friendly interface for smooth interaction. Finally, another important element is your right to request the document deletion from our servers anytime.
Our Privacy-First Approach to Document Handling
Your safety and privacy are our main concerns. This is why we include a no-retention policy for uploaded files, meaning that we don’t claim the rights to them or keep them for any purpose.
Furthermore, our transparent policy provides a clear insight into how we use your document, and you can check it anytime to see if it fits your needs. For instance, we collect information about the file type, size, and other necessary elements that will help us improve our services.
Plus, you can decide with whom you will share your documents on our platform. Precisely, you may let close people use your account on the PDF.net website and allow them to access your documents. Still, the link between your device and our server is unique, meaning that only you and the individuals you provide account access to can use your files.
Security Certifications and Compliance
As every safe online PDF editor adheres to strict regional and/or international regulations, we also follow such standards to ensure compliance. Having clients from various areas, our regulations are diverse and include the following:
- California privacy rights. California residents have the right to email us once a year to check about sharing their data with third parties.
- Nevada rights. People living in Nevada can opt for the sale of ‘personally identifiable information’ to another individual.
- EU privacy rights. We manage data and privacy for users in the European Economic Area or the UK according to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Comparing Different Types of PDF Editing Solutions
Even if you use safe online PDF editors, there are additional aspects to consider when trying to find a perfect fit, including available services and how they function.
Here are the main elements and distinctions to keep an eye on:
Free vs. Paid Online PDF Services: What You're Really Getting
You may use the best PDF editor in terms of functionality, but it may still lack certain features if it’s free of charge. In general, free editors either let you perform basic functions or start complex ones that you cannot finish.
For instance, you can only make small edits to your document by rearranging PDF pages, rotating them, or adding images. However, if you try to create fillable forms and add text to them later, a free editor may require you to switch to the premium version to streamline both tasks.
On the other hand, paid online PDF editors provide access to all the features and usually boast higher service quality compared to free solutions.
Browser-Based vs. Cloud-Based Processing
Another key difference among safe online PDF editors is that some process data via web browsers, and some are cloud-oriented. The fundamental distinction lies in how they organize resources.
Namely, browser-based processing relies on predetermined storage, processing power, and similar resources. In contrast, cloud-based processing is more dynamic and flexible, as it allocates these resources based on the individual task type and other needs.
Still, some cloud-based editors are only available via a mobile app or a desktop program. This is why browser-based editors are more practical and easier to access and use.
Best Practices for Safely Using Online PDF Editors
Although a PDF is highly secure as a format, and you have access to functional editors, you should always stick to specific safety rules before, during, and after editing.
Here are the best practices for safely using online PDF editors:
Pre-Upload Document Preparation
Before you upload documents, you can remove sensitive data if applicable. The alternative to this is to split your PDFs into multiple files and only use the ones without confidential information (if possible).
You can also watermark your PDFs to protect intellectual rights. In addition, there’s a way to scramble private data manually by making lower-resolution documents. Yet, all these methods are helpful only if using the redacted or low-quality version files is adequate on specific occasions.
Smart Account Security Habits
If you already use a safe online PDF editor, all you should do is secure your account regarding the credentials you use.
Firstly, you need to create a strong password for your account. Doing so includes mixing numbers and lowercase and capital letters, special symbols, and making your password long. Plus, we recommend creating unique credentials for your account and not using the same generic ones you would use elsewhere.
After-Editing Security Measures
Once you finalize the editing process, we advise you to verify your modified documents. When doing this, you should check if there is anything missing and whether there are changes you haven’t made. Also, you need to examine if the edits you’ve made were applied correctly.
Finally, if a PDF editor does not automatically delete your files after you are done editing, you can try to do it manually.
Now that you know what to look for in a secure editor, here’s how PDF.net meets (and exceeds) those standards.
Why PDF.net Should Be Your Trusted PDF Editor
PDF.net should be your trusted editor because it provides safety, quality, and modern features.
Let’s see the top features that represent these aspects best:
- Sign tool. This tool lets you add a legally enforceable and valid digital signature. Our signature engine uses audit trails and cryptography, verifying the signer’s identity and ensuring maximum security during this process.
- Compression software. You can resize your PDFs with this tool and make them suitable for sharing and uploading. Our software will keep the formatting and the quality of your document intact.
- Chat with PDF. With this technologically advanced software, you can summarize and analyze your PDFs. To get more details, you can ask questions and request answers in different formats (bullet lists, tables, etc.).
Final Thoughts
Online PDF editors are safe if applicable laws and rules regulate how their services work and how people can use them. The most important aspects to search for in an online editor include certificates, compliance, a transparent privacy policy, and high safety standards.
Additionally, free and paid services, as well as cloud and browser-based editors, offer different features and safety standards. With PDF.net, you can find both premium features and enjoy all the benefits of web browser-based data processing.
Are Online PDF Editors Safe FAQ
#1. Can online PDF editors see the content of my documents?
Yes, online PDF editors can see the content of your documents. However, this is only possible if a particular editor stipulates this in the privacy policy statement.
#2. How long do online PDF editors keep my documents?
Online PDF editors keep your documents for about one or two hours. Yet, it is essential to know that with safe online PDF editors, no one will access or monitor your files manually during the period between your editing and file deletion.
#3. Are free online PDF editors less secure than paid ones?
Yes, free online PDF editors are less secure than paid ones. Usually, premium editors include stronger security measures and a more transparent privacy policy.
#4. What security certifications should I look for in an online PDF editor?
TLS/SSL, SOC 2 Type 2, and ISO/IEC 27001 are security certifications you should look for in an online PDF editor. These help you with data security and information management while also ensuring your privacy.
#5. Is it ever safe to edit sensitive financial documents online?
Yes, it is safe to edit sensitive financial documents online, but only if you use a secure online PDF editor. For example, you can edit any type of file on PDF.net and rest assured that your data will remain strictly private.