How Secure PDF Sharing Works
flowchart LR
A[Upload PDF] --> B{Choose Security Method}
B --> C[Secure Link]
B --> D[Email Verification]
B --> E[Domain Restriction]
C --> C1[Set Password / View Limit / Expiry]
D --> D1[Viewer Enters Email → Verification Code]
E --> E1[Whitelist Domains e.g. @company.com]
C1 --> F[Share Link or QR Code]
D1 --> F
E1 --> F
F --> G[Viewer Accesses PDF]
G --> H[Analytics Dashboard]
style A fill:#2563eb,stroke:#1e3a8a,color:#fff
style B fill:#7c3aed,stroke:#6d28d9,color:#fff
style F fill:#059669,stroke:#047857,color:#fff
style H fill:#2563eb,stroke:#1e3a8a,color:#fff
Three Sharing Methods
Secure Links
The simplest way to share PDFs with protection.
- Password protection
- View count limits
- Expiration dates
- Download prevention
- View analytics
Quick sharing, proposals, brochures
Email Verification
Verify viewer identity before granting access.
- Email required to view
- Verification code sent
- Complete audit trail
- Know exactly who viewed
- All Secure Link features included
Contracts, reports, confidential docs
Domain Restriction
Limit access to specific organizations.
- Whitelist email domains
- Organization-only access
- Prevents external leaks
- Auto-reject unauthorized
- All Email Verification features
Internal docs, compliance, legal
Method Comparison
| Feature | Secure Links | Email Verification | Domain Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Password Protection | |||
| View Limits & Expiry | |||
| Download Prevention | |||
| Viewer Identity Known | |||
| Audit Trail | Basic (IP only) | Full (email + IP) | Full (email + domain) |
| Organization Control | |||
| Setup Complexity | Easy | Medium | Advanced |
| Best For | General sharing | Verified recipients | Enterprise / compliance |
Security Best Practices
1
Match Method to Risk
Use Secure Links for low-risk, Email Verification for medium-risk, Domain Restriction for high-risk.
2
Set Expiration Dates
Always set an expiry. Even trusted documents should not live forever on shared links.
3
Enable Watermarks
Dynamic watermarks show viewer identity and deter unauthorized redistribution.
4
Monitor Analytics
Review access logs regularly. Revoke links immediately when access is no longer needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Secure Links are the simplest method. Upload your PDF, configure settings (view limits, expiration, password), and share the generated link — no recipient setup needed.
Viewers must enter their email address before accessing the PDF. MaiPDF sends a verification code to confirm identity, creating an audit trail of exactly who viewed the document.
Yes. Domain restriction limits access to email addresses from specific domains (e.g., @company.com). Only verified users from approved domains can view.
Yes. Layer methods together — combine a secure link with email verification AND domain restriction. Additional controls like view limits, expiration, and watermarks can also be added.
Use email verification combined with domain restriction. This ensures verified identity, creates an audit trail, and limits access to authorized organizations — meeting compliance requirements.
Related Guides
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