PDF Security and DRM Packages in Depth Comparison

Security and Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems try to protect copyrights and digital contents by limiting access by users to contents. They provide facilities for electronic publishers to distribute their precious contents to prevent any illegal distribution and usage.

In this article we’re about to analyze features, weaknesses and restrictions about variety of DRM, Protection and Security packages for Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). The comparison is based on system analysis, personal experiences and the provided information and demos in vendors websites.

The comparison is based on several parameters including:

Licensing methods:

Offline Licensing : Licensing without need for License servers and Internet connection which is suitable for offline users.
Standalone Licensing : This licensing method is usually provided as a License Generator application. This method is suitable for small businesses or individual self-publishers.
Standalone Web-Based Licensing : In this method all required licensing and user management components are hosted on Publisher web servers.
Hosted Web-Based Licensing : In this method all required licensing and user management components and pages are hosted on DRM vendor website.
Indirect Licensing : Indirect licensing is usually used to provide reseller mechanisms for protected pdf documents redistribution.

Distribution Controlling Mechanisms:

User-Based Identification: This identification is usually based on user information, and passwords which are provided by DRM users. This method provides a minimum distribution management control but ease of use.
Computer-Based Identification: This authorization system is based on user computer. There are several hardware information which is commonly used by DRM vendors including : Hardware Serial Numbers (Mainboard, CPU, HDD, MAC), Volume Serial Numbers and specific hardware information. This method provides maximum security and distribution management control over the protected pdf documents.
Domain Authorization : Support for domain licensing instead of per user/computer authorization. In this method, licenses are server based using online Licensing server. This method is ideal for internal company document security and local networks.

Protected Document Features:

Protected PDF Changes : User ability to insert comments, notes, attachments or modifications on a protected pdf.
Combined Licenses : Support for Combined licenses which are required to open a protected pdf document. Each license may come from a separate server or publisher.
Offline Viewing : Support for the protected pdf documents to be accessible for offline users.
Support Embedded PDF Contents : Support for embedded contents (flash, video, sound, 3D models and ..),  to be used within a protected pdf pages.

Supported User Rights:

Printing Rights : Support for users printing rights.
Page Print Count : Limitations on number of pages user can print from protected pdf documents.
Clipboard Rights : Limitations on accessing the system clipboard when opening a protected pdf document.
Opening Count : Limitations on number of times user allows to open a protected pdf.

Timing:

Expiration Dates : Expiration time controlling system.
Working Times : Support for opening time limitations for protected pdf documents. This method is ideal for implementation of trial based systems for protected pdf documents.

Security Level:

Reversing Protection : Protection against Reverse Engineering methods and tools.
Screen Grabbers Protection : Protection against screen grabber programs and Print Screen.
Virtual Machine Detection : Locking the protected pdfs to Virtual machines (VMware, Virtual PC, Wine and …)), will cause security holes in Computer-Based Identification systems. Locking a protected pdf to a virtual machine is equal to loosing protected pdf distribution control as virtual machine hardware info and serial numbers are not unique.
Virtual Printers Detection : Detecting virtual printers and preventing users from printing to these printers. Virtual printers are usually used to convert printing outputs to standard portable document file formats like PDF, PostScript or … Printing to a virtual printer will completely unprotect the protected pdf document by saving a raw documents as the result of printing outputs.
DRM Removers : Programs which can attack/remove the security/protection systems from protected document.

Integration:

Standalone Programming Interfaces : Standalone Programming Interfaces (APIs) are used by programmers to link and integrate current systems with DRM Security, Protection and Licensing features.
Web-Based Licensing Interfaces : Web-Based Licensing interfaces are placed on DRM vendor website.

Installation: Components, Plug-ins or DRM Managers needed to be installed on user computer in order to access the protected contents.

Supported Operating Systems: Supported operating systems for opening protected documents.

Supported PDF Viewers: Supported operating systems for opening protected documents.

Pricing: Prices for drm package.

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FileOpen Publisher

Vendor Description :
FileOpen Systems develops digital rights management software to prevent unauthorized viewing, copying and printing of digital documents. Documents encrypted with FileOpen software are native PDF and will display seamlessly in Adobe Reader–no passwords or external viewers are necessary.
Overview :
FileOpen Publisher is a plug-in based drm and protection system for Adobe PDF documents. The protected PDF documents are standard pdfs and they’re accessible within Standard Adobe Reader. The licensing systems are based on license servers which can be hosted on your own servers or FileOpen servers.

Website:  www.fileopen.com

Licensing methods:

Offline Licensing     N
Standalone Licensing     N
Standalone Web-Based Licensing     Y
Hosted Web-Based Licensing     Y
Indirect Licensing     N

Distribution Controlling Mechanisms:

User-Based Identification     Y
Computer-Based Identification     Y
Domain Authorization     N

Protected Document Features:

Offline Viewing     Y
Combined Licenses     N
Protected PDF Changes     N
Support Embedded PDF Contents     Y

Supported User Rights:

Printing Rights     Y
Page Print Count     N
Clipboard Rights     Y
Opening Count     Y

Timing:

Expiration Dates     Y
Working Times     N

Security Level:

Reversing Protection     N
Screen Grabbers Protection     N
Virtual Machine Detection     N
Virtual Printers Detection     N
DRM Removers :
Advanced PDF Password Recovery
http://www.planetpdf.com/mainpage.asp?webpageid=1540

Integration:

Standalone Programming Interfaces     Y
Web-Based Licensing Interfaces     N

Installation: Additional DRM Plug-in needs to be installed on Adobe Acrobat/Reader for users.

Supported Operating Systems: Windows , Macintosh

Supported PDF Viewers: Adobe Acrobat/Reader 5.x +

Pricing: Start From $2,995

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Lizard Safeguard

Vendor Description :
Lizard Safeguard PDF Security is for publishers of high value or confidential information published in PDF format, whether for sale to the public or internal control and protection, where a higher degree of security and control is required – beyond simple pdf password protection. There are no passwords for you to send, or for users to enter, manage, forget, or pass onto others.
Overview :
Lizard Safeguard is based on a secure viewer “Lizard Safeguard PDF Viewer”. The protected documents (.pdc) are not in standard pdf format and they are not accessible using Adobe Acrobat/Reader. The licensing systems are based on license servers which can be hosted on Locklizard or your own servers.

Website:  www.locklizard.com

Licensing methods:

Offline Licensing     N
Standalone Licensing     N
Standalone Web-Based Licensing     Y
Hosted Web-Based Licensing     Y
Indirect Licensing     N

Distribution Controlling Mechanisms:

User-Based Identification     Y
Computer-Based Identification     Y
Domain Authorization     N

Protected Document Features:

Offline Viewing     Y
Combined Licenses     N
Protected PDF Changes     N
Support Embedded PDF Contents     N

Supported User Rights:

Printing Rights     Y
Page Print Count     N
Clipboard Rights     Y
Opening Count     Y

Timing:

Expiration Dates     Y
Working Times     N

Security Level:

Reversing Protection     N
Screen Grabbers Protection     Y
Virtual Machine Detection     N
Virtual Printers Detection     Y
DRM Removers :
LockLizard PDC Un-Protector

Integration:

Standalone Programming Interfaces     Y
Web-Based Licensing Interfaces     Y

Installation: Lizard Safeguard PDF Viewer needs to be installed on user system.

Supported Operating Systems: Windows , Macintosh

Supported PDF Viewers: Lizard Safeguard PDF Viewer

Pricing: Start From $2,495

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PDF Security OwnerGuard

Vendor Description :
PDF Security OwnerGuard provides Security, DRM, Copy Protection, Licensing and Distribution Management solution for Adobe PDF Documents. This product is made especially for internal company documents security and publishers of high value information published in PDF format.
Overview :
OwnerGuard is not based on plug-in or custom viewers. OwnerGuard DRM implementation seems to be based on external security/drm layers for Foxit and Adobe Reader. The protected pdf documents are not standard pdf files but they’re accessible using standard Adobe Reader and Foxit Reader. The protection and licensing systems are provided as standalone applications and also as server APIs for integration.

Website:  www.armjisoft.com

Licensing methods:

Offline Licensing     Y
Standalone Licensing     Y
Standalone Web-Based Licensing     Y
Hosted Web-Based Licensing     N
Indirect Licensing     Y

Distribution Controlling Mechanisms:

User-Based Identification     N
Computer-Based Identification     Y
Domain Authorization     Y

Protected Document Features:

Offline Viewing     Y
Combined Licenses     Y
Protected PDF Changes     Y
Support Embedded PDF Contents     Y

Supported User Rights:

Printing Rights     Y
Page Print Count     Y
Clipboard Rights     Y
Opening Count     Y

Timing:

Expiration Dates     Y
Working Times     Y

Security Level:

Reversing Protection     Y
Screen Grabbers Protection     Y
Virtual Machine Detection     Y
Virtual Printers Detection     Y

Integration:

Standalone Programming Interfaces     Y
Web-Based Licensing Interfaces     N

Installation: PDF OwnerGuard License Manager needs to be installed on user system.

Supported Operating Systems: Windows

Supported PDF Viewers: Adobe Acrobat/Reader 3.x +  ,  Foxit Reader 2.x +

Pricing: Start From $1,995

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Drm-x PDF Packager

Vendor Description :
Haihaisoft DRM-X provides cost-effective and secure on-demand DRM service that you can easily protect, publish, and sell your documents. It gives you total control over who accesses your digital content and under what terms, enabling you to increase revenue, bring products to market faster, and attract new customers.
Overview :
Drm-x PDF Security is based on a secure viewer “Haihaisoft PDF Reader” and “Haihaisoft Multimedia PDF Reader”. Haihaisoft PDF Reader security rate is acceptable but Haihaisoft Multimedia PDF Reader just decrypts the protected pdfs to a temp location and open using Acrobat Reader as Inside OLE application. The protected documents are not in standard pdf format and they are not accessible using Adobe Acrobat/Reader. The licensing system is based on license servers which are hosted on Haihaisoft servers.

Website:  www.drm-x.com

Licensing methods:

Offline Licensing     N
Standalone Licensing     N
Standalone Web-Based Licensing     N
Hosted Web-Based Licensing     Y
Indirect Licensing     N

Distribution Controlling Mechanisms:

User-Based Identification     Y
Computer-Based Identification     Y
Domain Authorization     N

Protected Document Features:

Offline Viewing     Y
Combined Licenses     N
Protected PDF Changes     N
Support Embedded PDF Contents     Y

Supported User Rights:

Printing Rights     Y
Page Print Count     N
Clipboard Rights     Y
Opening Count     Y

Timing:

Expiration Dates     Y
Working Times     N

Security Level:

Reversing Protection     Y
Screen Grabbers Protection     N
Virtual Machine Detection     N
Virtual Printers Detection     N

Integration:

Standalone Programming Interfaces     N
Web-Based Licensing Interfaces     N

Installation: Haihaisoft PDF Reader needs to be installed on user system.

Supported Operating Systems: Windows

Supported PDF Viewers: Haihaisoft PDF Reader

Pricing: Charges are Per License

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Drumlin PDF Security

Vendor Description :
The Drumlin PDF software and DRM service provides a complete and cost-effective PDF security solution. It includes a free PDF reader with built-in military-strength encryption, wide-ranging secure publishing (‘writing’ a secure PDF file), coupled with a free central Digital Rights Management (DRM) service.
Overview :
Drumlin PDF Security is based on a secure viewer “Drumlin PDF Reader”. The protected documents (.drmx) are not in standard pdf format and they are not accessible using Adobe Acrobat/Reader. The licensing systems are based on license servers which are hosted on Drumlin servers.

Website:  www.drumlinsecurity.co.uk

Licensing methods:

Offline Licensing     N
Standalone Licensing     N
Standalone Web-Based Licensing     N
Hosted Web-Based Licensing     Y
Indirect Licensing     N

Distribution Controlling Mechanisms:

User-Based Identification     Y
Computer-Based Identification     Y
Domain Authorization     N

Protected Document Features:

Offline Viewing     Y
Combined Licenses     N
Protected PDF Changes     N
Support Embedded PDF Contents     N

Supported User Rights:

Printing Rights     Y
Page Print Count     N
Clipboard Rights     Y
Opening Count     Y

Timing:

Expiration Dates     Y
Working Times     N

Security Level:

Reversing Protection     Y
Screen Grabbers Protection     N
Virtual Machine Detection     N
Virtual Printers Detection     N

Integration:

Standalone Programming Interfaces     N
Web-Based Licensing Interfaces     N

Installation: Drumlin PDF Reader needs to be installed on user system.

Supported Operating Systems: Windows, Macintosh

Supported PDF Viewers: Drumlin PDF Reader

Pricing: Charges are Per License

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Virtium Protectedpdf

Vendor Description :
Protectedpdf provides publishers of e-books, research reports, educational texts and other electronic content with an innovative approach to PDF security. The protectedpdf technology empowers companies to secure their PDF documents against misuse, piracy and unauthorized sharing.
Overview :
Protectepdf security and drm systems are implemented inside protected pdfs using embedded javascript and a drm overlay pdf layer which provides a minimum security but maximum ease of use for users. Protected pdfs are in standard pdf format and they’re accessible using standard Adobe Acrobat/Reader. There is no additional software installation needed for users. The licensing systems are based on license servers which can be hosted on your own servers or Virtium servers.

Website:  www.protectedpdf.com

Licensing methods:

Offline Licensing     N
Standalone Licensing     N
Standalone Web-Based Licensing     Y
Hosted Web-Based Licensing     Y
Indirect Licensing     N

Distribution Controlling Mechanisms:

User-Based Identification     Y
Computer-Based Identification     Y
Domain Authorization     Y

Protected Document Features:

Offline Viewing     Y
Combined Licenses     N
Protected PDF Changes     Y
Support Embedded PDF Contents     Y

Supported User Rights:

Printing Rights     N
Page Print Count     N
Clipboard Rights     N
Opening Count     Y

Timing:

Expiration Dates     Y
Working Times     N

Security Level:

Reversing Protection     N
Screen Grabbers Protection     N
Virtual Machine Detection     N
Virtual Printers Detection     N
DRM Removers :
Protectedpdf DRM Overlay PDF Layer can be removed using Adobe Acrobat Full

Integration:

Standalone Programming Interfaces     Y
Web-Based Licensing Interfaces     Y
Installation: No additional software installation needed.
Supported Operating Systems: Windows , Macintosh
Supported PDF Viewers: Adobe Acrobat/Reader 6.x +
Pricing: On Demand