Protecting a word document

[Guest]

Hello
i am using Windows XP professional with office 2003.

I have a Word document that I want to protect from being altered, and then
sending it via e-mail to somebody else. I have used the tools, options,
security, protect document successfully, and once saved I find that the
document cannot be altered, which is what I want. However it is still
possible to copy the document, and paste it into a new Word document, and
then altar it from there, which defeats the protection. Is there any way
that I can get round this, and truly protect the document from being copied
or altered. If it can't be done in Word is there another program that would
do this for me.
Thank you!
Mel

 

[Tony Jollans]

Sorry, there is no way to stop someone with access to an(y) electronic
document from taking a copy and altering it. Some applications / formats
make it harder than others but none can completely remove the possibility.

 

[Charles Kenyon]

You can protect it as a form. This provides no security; it makes copying /
changing difficult for many people, but not someone who is knowledgeable or
determined.
You can put it in a locked pdf format. This provides no security; it makes
copying / changing more difficult, but not for someone who is knowledgeable
or determined.

Anything someone can read, they can copy (using a pencil and paper if
necessary). If they are reading it in electronic form, it is easier. If they
can copy it, they can change it.

If you don't want someone to copy or alter your writing, don't let that
someone read it.
--
Charles Kenyon

Word New User FAQ & Web Directory: http://addbalance.com/word

Intermediate User's Guide to Microsoft Word (supplemented version of
Microsoft's Legal Users' Guide) http://addbalance.com/usersguide




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This message is posted to a newsgroup. Please post replies
and questions to the newsgroup so that others can learn
from my ignorance and your wisdom.

 

[Guest]

After receiving these two replies I was becoming quite despondent, then my
daughter contacted me with the following web address
:-http://www.zappersoftware.com/Software/zsegdownload.html
I have downloaded this programme, and run it, and it would seem to do
everything that I wanted it to do, I am no computer expert, but have been
around for a while now, and this programme prevented me from changing the
words in my document, and also it stopped me copying or cutting and pasting
my document. So this information is for others who want to protect there
Word document, whilst I am not saying it's perfect it does go a long way in
stopping people copying or changing your work. I hope this helps!

 

[Charles Kenyon]

It wouldn't prevent me, or many of the others who frequent these newsgroups
from changing your document, probably in less than 15 minutes.

In Word, try Tools > Protect Document and protect your document for forms.
Set a password.

It would appear, also, to do what you want. That takes 15 seconds to get
around.

Believe the people here who told you that you can not keep people from
copying/changing something that they can read, especially if it is in
electronic form. You can merely make it difficult to one degree or another.

I'm sorry that this makes you despondent. Many things about daily life would
make me despondent if I dwelled on what I wished for rather than on what is.

If the people you fear are in your organization, you need better training
and hr policies.
--
Charles Kenyon

Word New User FAQ & Web Directory: http://addbalance.com/word

Intermediate User's Guide to Microsoft Word (supplemented version of
Microsoft's Legal Users' Guide) http://addbalance.com/usersguide




--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
This message is posted to a newsgroup. Please post replies
and questions to the newsgroup so that others can learn
from my ignorance and your wisdom.