Are PDF Editors Safe To Use? Here’s Everything You Should Know

PDF files have become an essential part of digital documentation for everyone, from students to large organizations. They are widely used for sharing and storing various documents, including business reports, legal documents, and academic papers. PDF editors have become increasingly popular as they offer the ability to make changes to PDF files. However, with the rise in cyber threats and online security concerns, many users are questioning the safety of using a PDF editor. In this article, we will explore the safety of PDF editors, what they can do, and the best PDF editor options available.

What Is a PDF Editor?

Before we dive into the safety aspect, let’s first understand what a PDF editor is. A PDF editor is software that allows users to modify PDF files. PDF editors come in different forms: desktop software, mobile applications, and online PDF editors. Desktop software requires installation on your computer, while online PDF editors can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. Mobile applications are also available for both Android and iOS devices.

PDF editors offer a wide range of functionalities, such as adding text, images, and signatures, deleting pages, merging PDFs, and creating fillable PDF forms. The primary purpose of a PDF editor is to modify a PDF file without affecting the document’s layout or formatting.

How To Convert PDF To QR Code

The biggest question most people ask is how to convert PDF to QR code. To achieve this, you can use online QR code generators, where you upload your PDF file and generate a QR code effortlessly. This method simplifies sharing PDF content via QR codes for quick and convenient access.

Can PDF Editor Be Trusted?

Now that we have a basic understanding of what a PDF editor is, the following question arises: Can PDF editors be trusted? The answer is not straightforward, as it depends on the type of PDF editor you use and the security measures you take to protect your data.

Desktop PDF editors are generally considered safe to use as long as you download them from a reputable source. Some of the best desktop PDF editors include Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, Nitro Pro, and Foxit PhantomPDF. These PDF editors have been on the market for a long time and have a proven track record of being safe and reliable.

Online PDF editors, on the other hand, can be riskier as they require you to upload your documents to their servers. However, some online PDF editors have implemented measures to ensure data security. For example, Lumin, an online PDF editor, uses end-to-end encryption to protect your data. It also has a two-factor authentication feature to prevent unauthorized access.

It is also essential to keep your device and software up-to-date to ensure maximum security. Regularly updating your software and operating system can help prevent security breaches and keep your data safe.

What Can PDF Editor Do?

Now that we have covered the safety aspect, let’s take a closer look at what a PDF editor can do.

Add text and images: PDF editors allow you to add text and images to a PDF file without affecting the document’s layout or formatting.

Delete pages: PDF editors let you delete pages from a PDF file, which can be helpful if you need to remove confidential information.

Merge PDF files: This feature can be particularly useful when you need to combine multiple PDF files into a single document. For example, if you have several pages of a contract saved as separate PDF files, you can use a PDF editor to merge them into one file for easier viewing and sharing.

PDF editors generally offer two ways to merge PDF files: manually or automatically. With manual merging, you select the pages or files you want to combine and arrange them in the order you prefer. Automatic merging, on the other hand, combines files based on specific criteria such as file name, file size, or date created.

In addition to combining pages or files, some PDF editors may also offer features such as splitting a PDF document into multiple files, rearranging pages within a document, or extracting pages from a larger document. These features can be particularly useful for users who need to manipulate PDF documents for specific purposes, such as preparing a presentation or compiling research.

Create fillable PDF forms: PDF editors enable you to create fillable forms that users can fill out online, eliminating the need for physical paperwork.

Compress PDFs: This feature can be especially useful when dealing with large PDF files that may take up too much space on your computer or email inbox. By compressing a PDF file, you can reduce its size without sacrificing the quality of its content. Some PDF editors may also offer the option to optimize a PDF file, which can further reduce its size by removing unnecessary data. Overall, compressing PDFs is a handy feature that can help you better manage your digital documents.

Add signatures: PDF editors allow you to add digital signatures to a document, making it legally binding and very secure.

Best PDF Viewer You Cannot Ignore

Finally, let’s take a look at some of the best PDF editors available on the market.

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC: Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a popular desktop PDF editor that offers a wide range of functionalities, including editing, converting, and signing PDF files. It also includes features such as OCR, which allows you to convert scanned documents into editable text.

Nitro Pro: Nitro Pro is another desktop PDF editor that provides a range of features, including editing, converting, and creating PDF files. It also includes OCR, and users can sign documents electronically.

Foxit PhantomPDF: Foxit PhantomPDF is a reliable and efficient desktop PDF editor that provides users with a range of features, including editing, converting, and creating PDF files. 

Lumin: Lumin PDF is an online PDF editor that provides users with features such as editing and annotating PDF files. It also includes a fillable form creator and digital signature capabilities. Additionally, with Lumin, you can merge PDF files, split them, and manipulate them in various different ways. Lumin has implemented security measures such as end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication to ensure the safety of its users’ data.

Smallpdf: Smallpdf is another popular online PDF editor that provides users with features such as editing, converting, and merging PDF files. It also includes a fillable form creator and digital signature capabilities. Smallpdf has implemented security measures such as SSL encryption and GDPR compliance to ensure the safety of its users’ data.

In conclusion, PDF editors have become an essential tool for modifying and managing PDF files. While some online PDF editors may pose a risk to data security, desktop PDF editors and some online editors have implemented security measures to ensure the safety of their users’ data. When choosing a PDF editor, it is important to consider factors such as the type of editor, the features it provides, and the security measures it has implemented. By taking the necessary precautions, users can safely and effectively use PDF editors to modify and manage their documents.