What do the terms Secure PDF Distribution and Digital Rights Management (DRM) mean?

Secure PDF distribution lets you share documents online with end users, whilst protecting the content from unauthorized copying, downloading, printing and sharing. Webdoxx delivers PDFs in a browser-based format with access controls, watermarking, tracking, and flexible user management. As such Webdoxx provides an online Digital Rights Management (DRM) service delivering copyright protection whilst ensuring the material is readily available to the intended audience. Upload a test PDF right now, for free, to see Webdoxx in action

What is a Virtual Data Room?

Virtual data rooms (VDRs) were developed to provide secure, online dissemination of confidential information. A VDR is essentially a secure cloud repository with strictly controlled access. Access is managed through secure log-ons supplied by the vendor or authority, which can be disabled at any time ... Because much of the information may be confidential, VDRs utilize digital rights management (DRM) to control information. Restrictions are applied to the viewers' ability to release data to third parties by disabling forwarding, copying, or printing capabilities. Modern VDRs also employ dynamic watermarking and detailed auditing capabilities. (based on the Wikipedia entry for VDRs)

There are essentially two separate ways of providing secure PDF distribution (sharing) functionality:

  • Online services (like Webdoxx), where the source PDF files (or converted versions of the source PDF) are hosted on a server and restrictions applied to prevent copying, printing and downloading of the files - this arrangement provides the Digital Rights Management (DRM) service as a single integrated service incorporating file management and user management. Distribution in the online environment does not involve actual file distribution, but rather provides viewer-based access on a central server with access controls (also known as a Virtual Data Room Service)
  • Offline services (like Drumlin), where the source PDF files are encrypted locally using a proprietary application (e.g. DrumlinPublisher) with extra controls applied that reside inside the encrypted PDF file to support Digital Rights Management (DRM) functionality. In this arrangement the DRM system is provided by a separate central server. Typically in offline systems the encrypted files are then distributed to end users as individual files, which are then enabled for viewing (authorized) via an authorization code or licence file, checked and managed via the central DRM service

Why are downloadable PDFs risky?

It has long been known that there are risks with PDF files - they can be shared without the publishers knowledge or permission, the content can be copied, amended and used by third parties or AI systems, breaching valuable content and copyright protection. They can even contain dangerous hidden code, risking devices and servers with damaging viruses. A better, cost-effective and scalable solution to the distribution of such material is needed, which is where Webdoxx comes in.

How Webdoxx works

Webdoxx is different - Webdoxx converts uploaded PDF files to our special secured HTML5 format and the source PDF is removed from our server, so there is never any risk of the source file being accessed. The converted file can then be accessed by end users with the page format and access controls the publisher chooses, via a unique web link (URL). Display matches the source PDF, is very fast, includes full text searching with highlighting, and many optional features, like private markup and selective printing. All access is tracked and users can be enabled or disabled at a moment's notice. Visit our Gallery of samples for an instant view of how Webdoxx works and some of the many display options and features available. Try uploading a sample PDF file to see how it looks - register to retain files for up to 90 days, free of charge. Check out the Pricing page for details of free and subscription services

Why Use Webdoxx?

  • Secure, cost-effective online publishing for a wide range of document types and sizes
  • Content protection - including protection against content copying, printing, downloading, unauthorized sharing and more
  • Highly scalable - to thousands of users, with global reach and minimal support effort
  • No need to download software or documents - only requires a modern web browser on any device type
  • Optional integration with your own website services - for subscriptions, products and services, and intra-corporate documents
  • Wide range of selectable functionality
  • Fully tracked service with built-in security
  • Web-based user management, file management and access controls
  • Private content can be used for a range of commercial services, including direct sale of content, sale of subscriptions to content, and provision of commercial service content (e.g. training and educational materials)
  • Complements our offline secure publishing services for publishers who need the offline option for some users and specific technical requirements

Public vs private access

Webdoxx provides the option for both access-controlled viewing of documents and open-access. Access control is typically provided using the Webdoxx user management infrastructure - all user and file management is web-based so can be accessed from any device and any location, simply via a standard web-browser. Private access is typically enforced via an explicit or implicit username and password access control facility or IPAddress-based controls. This mechanism can be strengthened through a range of further controls, including cookie-based checks, session-based checks, IPAddress-based checks, and two-factor authentication. Public access is the case where there are no user access controls and as long as a user has the necessary web location (URL) of the document, they can view it without restriction

Common use cases

Secure publishing applications range from training courseware, books, magazines, music scores and newsletters to private corporate documents including proposals, market research reports, standards documents and board papers. See our Gallery of examples and our Case Studies page for examples of real-world applications of Webdoxx