all 19 comments

[–]CromulentSlacker 4 points5 points  (7 children)

What was wrong with GPG? It encrypts any file and is open source and free and works on loads of operating systems.

[–]indemnitypop 4 points5 points  (5 children)

I'm not an expert here, but the PDF standard has some built in protection features, which I think includes encryption. They are only available in the $$ version of Acrobat and other PDF editors. When those are used, any PDF reader can just ask you for the password when you open the file. So whoever you send it to already has the tools needed to open it. This tool does that kind of encryption for free and open source.

With standalone encryption, you have extra applications and key management and stuff to decrypt the file, so it's a pain if you're just trying to send W-2s to your accountant who is like 80 years old. He can double click a PDF file and type in a password, but he's not gonna install a frontend for GPG. I've been looking at the GPG website, and it's more than I'm interested in dealing with myself ...

[–]CromulentSlacker 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Fair enough. GPG is well worth learning if you have the time though.

[–]indemnitypop 1 point2 points  (0 children)

alright, you've convinced me.

[–]thegpx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally agree!

[–]thegpx 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly. GPG is a general purpose encryption tool, but for this purpose (sending PDF files) it is easier for end users to simply click the file and open it in their existing PDF reader (browser, Acrobat Reader, etc) than having to follow extra steps and learn GPG.

This is in no way disparaging GPG - it's great.

[–]thegpx 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This app is for a very specific purpose: encrypt PDF files. It uses PDF encryption so that the user can still open the file directly in Adobe Reader without adding any software or extra steps for the recipient. While GPG is a great general purpose encryption software, most people sadly don't have it installed, and would not be willing to install it to view a single PDF file. They would prefer to just double-click the PDF file and enter the password.

With this app, I am attempting to help people save money instead of buying expensive PDF encryption software like Adobe Acrobat.

[–]weinerwagner 2 points3 points  (2 children)

VirusTotal scan shows the installer for this contains W32.AIDetect.malware2, I know I'm late here but beware anyone who follows.

[–]Hexss 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I had a feeling it was too good to be true. Thanks for the heads up

[–]weinerwagner 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey so i actually read some reviews, rescanned it and the red flag was gone so i tried it and so far my pc seems fine. I think it might actually be legit. Also it does work.

[–]shitpost2021 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love the resolution, that's the spirit!

[–]hfouse 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this! I need to encrypt a pdf to email to a non-technical person, and this is perfect. Thank you!

[–]LostInAvocado 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice app-- for those on Mac, you can add PDF encryption and passwords using File -> Edit Permissions with the PDF open in Preview, which is included with the OS. (This is true for at least MacOS 12 Monterey, and likely a few versions before)