Confidential File on Internet

[Lonely]

Hi All,
I have a file which i want to share with some of my collleagues through my site. Also,

1) I want to restrict access to the file to a small set of people – about 50 people.

2) I want people to only be able to view the file online.

3) I do not want anyone to be able to download the file

4) I do not want anyone to be able to print the file.

Does someone have any ideas on how to do it? Any useful leads will be higly appreciated.
Thanks in Advance,
Lonely

[Dragonsi]

You can restrict access to the file if you place it in its own folder, and then set 'htaccess' restrictions via your hosting package control panel. This would mean a username & password is required to view anything inside that folder. You can also set up 50 usernames or just the 1 - this would mean letting the lucky few know the username & password.

As to restricting printing, I am know fully sure but am sure someone here will know.

Good luck..

[godzilla]

Depending on the file type and purpose you may use something like Acrobat distiller to limit printing and other options for the file. Thi option is also offered in the latest versions of MS Office but may not provide adequate sequrity.

[ctfitch]

I'd stash it in a folder and use a simple Javascript password protection. then hide it from search bots using the disallow command in your robots.txt file.
Then using acrobat.. put crazy password protection and no print, no save, no edit and so forth on in the save settings.

That would definitely do it. Unless, im on crazy pills.

[ctfitch]

in fact...all the security you would need for a stand-alone document itself can be handled in Acrobat6. It has all kinds of security(ssl-based)and password protection. These security features could then be exported for web. and boom. your done.

[Nargule]

I'd stash it in a folder and use a simple Javascript password protection. then hide it from search bots using the disallow command in your robots.txt file.
Then using acrobat.. put crazy password protection and no print, no save, no edit and so forth on in the save settings.

That would definitely do it. Unless, im on crazy pills.
You are on crazy pills. A javascript password protection? "hide it" from search bot in the robots.txt?

I'm not sure about this javascript password protection thing. Password protection needs to be done on the server side.

I don't put any sensitive documents in my robots.txt. Simple reason, robots.txt is publicly viewable, allow people to see where I don't want them to go. Password protecting a directory (on the server side) is sufficient to keep bots out of the directory.

[Nargule]

Hi All...
3) I do not want anyone to be able to download the file

4) I do not want anyone to be able to print the file....

If the file is being diplayed on my screen, I really don't think there is anyway to stop me from printing it if I wanted to. There are ways to make it difficult such as disabling "print" in Acrobat, but if it's on my screen, it can be printed.

As far as downloading the file, they can't look at it if it's not downloaded to their computer. I think what you want is for them not to be able to save it. Possible, but vunriable to the same things I said about printing.

Understand that "Confidential File on Internet" is an oxymoron (spelling?).