Adobe Replacements to Block PDF files from Sending Your Personal Information

Tagged: Internet

Remote Approach is a company that has designed a way to use adobe’s javascript to track documents. This is a potential invasion of privacy.

Remote Approach has designed a way to track PDF files. Each time a person reads these special designed PDF files, a connection to http://www.remoteapproach.com/remoteapproach/logging.asp is made. This allows the company (and PDF author) to gather information such as IP addresses of those who are reading the PDF.

Poor form, if you ask me.

Adobe Replacements –

1. Foxit PDF Reader
– Windows only. Very quick.
2. DjVuLibre
– Open source. Works in linux, apple, windows, solaris, java, palm, etc.

In my experience the adobe replacements work very well. Seldomly have I needed to load up adobe instead of one of these bloatfree programs.

Block the Connection –

1. Use your software firewall (such as Zone Alarm) to prevent connections to http://www.remoteapproach.com.
2. Add this line to your host file (C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) to block this connection as well:
[list]remoteapproach.com 127.0.0.1

Disable Adobe JavaScript –

If you don’t use any of the new adobe javascript features, turn it off. No javascript… and it can’t call home.
[list]
1. Click Edit menu
2. Select Preferences
3. Select the JavaScript category
4. Uncheck Enable Acrobat JavaScript
5. Click OK