Security Decision Framework
flowchart TD
A[New PDF Document] --> B{What's the sensitivity?}
B -->|Low| C[Basic Protection]
B -->|Medium| D[Standard Protection]
B -->|High| E[Maximum Protection]
C --> C1[View Limits]
C --> C2[Expiration Date]
D --> D1[Password + View Limits]
D --> D2[Dynamic Watermarks]
D --> D3[Download Prevention]
E --> E1[Email Verification]
E --> E2[Domain Restriction]
E --> E3[All Standard Features]
E --> E4[Real-Time Analytics]
C1 --> F[Share Secure Link]
D1 --> F
E1 --> F
F --> G[Monitor Access Dashboard]
G --> H{Suspicious Activity?}
H -->|Yes| I[Revoke Access Instantly]
H -->|No| J[Continue Monitoring]
style A fill:#2563eb,stroke:#1e3a8a,color:#fff
style C fill:#059669,stroke:#047857,color:#fff
style D fill:#f59e0b,stroke:#d97706,color:#fff
style E fill:#dc2626,stroke:#b91c1c,color:#fff
style I fill:#dc2626,stroke:#b91c1c,color:#fff
Security Checklist
Access Control
Set view limits
Restrict total opens to prevent unlimited forwarding
Restrict total opens to prevent unlimited forwarding
Add expiration dates
Auto-expire links after a deadline
Auto-expire links after a deadline
Use password protection
Require a password before viewing
Require a password before viewing
Enable email verification
Verify viewer identity with code
Verify viewer identity with code
Content Protection
Prevent downloads
Block file saving to local devices
Block file saving to local devices
Disable printing
Stop physical copies from being made
Stop physical copies from being made
Add dynamic watermarks
Show viewer email/IP on every page
Show viewer email/IP on every page
Monitor with analytics
Track views, locations, and devices
Track views, locations, and devices
Risk Assessment Guide
Low Risk
Marketing materials, public reports, brochures
- View limits (optional)
- Basic analytics
- Expiration date
Medium Risk
Business proposals, client reports, drafts
- Password + view limits
- Dynamic watermarks
- Download prevention
- Access analytics
High Risk
Legal, healthcare, financial, IP documents
- Email verification
- Domain restriction
- All content protections
- Real-time monitoring
- Instant revocation
Industry-Specific Guidelines
Legal
Email verification + domain lock for attorney-client privilege. Audit trail for court compliance. Watermarks on all privileged documents.
Healthcare
HIPAA-aligned access controls. Email verification for patient records. View limits on diagnostic reports. Full access logging.
Finance
Domain restriction for internal reports. Dynamic watermarks on investor materials. Expiration dates on quarterly data. Download prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
The three most critical are: (1) Access control — passwords, view limits, and expiration, (2) Content protection — download prevention, print restrictions, and dynamic watermarks, (3) Monitoring — analytics and access logs.
Quarterly for routine docs, monthly for sensitive ones, and immediately after personnel changes or incidents. Always revoke terminated employees' access.
No. Layer multiple protections: password + view limits + watermarks + download prevention. A password alone can be shared.
Yes. MaiPDF lets you modify settings on live links — add passwords, reduce view limits, enable watermarks, or revoke access — without generating a new link.
Related Guides
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