how to protect a word document?

Question

I want to send a word document (2003) but I want to put restrictions and to let people just to read it! I don't want them to copy anything form the document and not to print it.
I came across Microsoft Rights Management and I've donne the document with the rescrictions, but noone can read it (bacause they do not have the MRM installed on their computers) -- and even more -- I don't think they will be able to read it because when I put the rescrictions I left blank where I've been asked who can read the document (becasue I didn't know any users -- they do not have IRM passwords, nor .net passports). Is there any other way of sharing a document, with those strict rescrictions? (no copy, no changes, no printing)
Thank you

Answer 1

Simply put, you can't do what you want.

A screen print will be able to print the document....

Some kind of digital signatures should be able to help you with the distribution though.

pdf formats, will not allow you to edit the text, but you can print and save them.

There is a way that you can get what you want though. Print a copy out yourself, go and see the people, let them read it and take it back. No copying, no changes, no printing.

Answer 2

There are some more advanced pdf format types that you can build in certain restrictions to protect a document but you cannot get those advanced features for free.

As a word doc. you'll not be able to protect it absolutely...

But then why do you want to protect it?

If it is an important message then it should be able to to be passed on - in its entirety, free of charge with appropriate credit and links back to you (if that is what you want?)...

If it is private - then send it hard copy not by e-mail (even then folks can copy it - just as they could copy word by word from an on screen document - even if they are unable to cut-and-paste!)

If it is 'valuable' information, which is why you want to protect it, then send a 'taster' info sheet that explains what info you are publishing, and then make a 'charge' for the full thing! You may not get any takers, but at least you'll be making something for your efforts rather than giving it away if you do make sales!

In essence - if you write something - and you want others to read it and you don't want to have it plagiarized or stolen or copied then the best you can probably do is to include a clear strong copyright statement on the document. Then, if you want, you could say folks are FREE to send it to others if it is untouched/unchanged in any way with all links and authorship details left intact.

You could then use something like 'copyscape' to check if it is out there in hyperpace occasionally (obviously you cannot check hard copy infringrements - such is the lot of the public author!), You may at least be able to track any substantial illegal copyright infringement online though. You could then email the perpertrator and ask them to remove or replace their 'copy' with fully credited document and/or threaten legal action...(Although naturally unless you are very wealthy you probably won't actually undertake any legal action as it would cost a bundle, and may be hard to sustain anyway!)

That's about all you can do.

Answer 3

Nothing is going to work. If it will be displayed on the Monitor all they have to do is PrintScreen then paste the image to another document. Word has the ability to set the document to READ only, but you can't stop anybody from printing it, and the PrintScreen will also get around the copying the document.

Answer 4

The only thing that you can do really if the document is supposed to be shared is make the document [read-only] ... but you can convert the file into a PDF file using a PDF utility [ask if you want it - I have the program] ...

... Nevertheless, I haven't seen a document where it cannot be printed ...

... I am guessing there is a way though ...

Answer 5

You may want to consider posting the documents on a web site, if you have one, as there are protections you can institute there to prevent copying and pasting, although they are by no means full proof.

Answer 6

You can get an Adobe bolt on that allows you to save Word as a PDF. Try this. Failing that, right click on the file, go to options and select security.

Answer 7

Open the secure rfile. Then decide for edit and choose all and then replica and paste right into a sparkling rfile. Then make your differences and the shop because of the fact the unique rfile........ it is going to would desire to be secure lower back......... could paintings

Answer 8

Best thing is to output it in Acrobat, so people can read it with Acrobat Reader - you can get freebie programs to print to Acrobat format, I think.

Answer 9

hey u can password protect it
try this site
http://www.uwo.ca/its/doc/hdi/email/word-excel-protect.html
for further info