Do you have a password protected PDF document that you must access? Amit Agarwal feels your PDF pain.
Say one of your former colleague[sic] created some critical sales reports in PDF format but he is not working with the company anymore. In his absence, you have no option but to crack the PDF password in order to open, read or print these PDF files.
Amit covers two cases in which a PDF password must be recovered:
The PDF restricts copying or printing
If the document’s original creator used a password to restrict copying or printing, you can use free screen capture software to pry your information from that PDF’s grip.
You need a password to open the PDF
If the document is completely password-protected and won’t even allow you to open it, Agarwal points out two different software packages that may crack your PDF open:
These PDF password recovery programs work by throwing every possible password in the book at the locked PDF, so be warned – recovery could take a very long time, especially if the document’s original creator used a strong password.
For Agarwal’s full write-up on how to use these techniques to recover a lost PDF password, visit “How To Open Password Protected PDF Documents” at Digital Inspiration.
