PDF Reader That Is The Best For User Privacy?

[Average_Joe (Joey)]

@lepras

@Average_Joe

However, is it a good idea to allow Sumatra to update itself?

can test it with wireshark, it should not connect to any suspicious domains but can never be sure.

@user1

Actually I think that using browsers to open pdf files is not a bad idea security wise.

I appreciate your replies!

It’s important to remember that all of the “PDF Viewers” for desktop OS’ are also “PDF Editors”. I don’t see how web browsers are more secure since they’re connecte to the Internet?

How does Wireshark work? I’ve never tried it before?

From all of my research ONLY “PDF Viewer” for Android is unable to make changes to PDF files, but this is only available on Android…

I keep coming back to SumatraPDF as the best choice for Windows PC’s

[Average_Joe (Joey)]

I just came across this PDF Reviewer who says:

*Are Free PDF Readers and Editors Secure?

I would strongly recommend against using a completely free PDF editor since the company has to find some way to make a profit, and you are most likely the product. Instead, take advantage of the Soda PDF free trial, which gives you unlimited access to its secure and safe PDF reader and editor. You can encrypt your files and add passwords to ensure that no one can open or view the files without your authorization."

Best Free PDF Readers & Editors for PC in 2024

[Reset0609]

@Average_Joe

Instead, take advantage of the Soda PDF free trial, which gives you unlimited access to its secure and safe PDF reader and editor.

Soda PDF, whose website he invites you to access using his sponsored link, meaning you literally are the product from the author’s standpoint

[exaCORE]

I will once again recommend only using FOSS options such as Okular or just your web browser (firefox has great pdf functionality for example).

[lepras]

@Average_Joe

SumatraPDF as the best choice for Windows PC’s

that’s what I myself use, nothing comes close.

[Average_Joe (Joey)]

@Reset0609

@Average_Joe

Instead, take advantage of the Soda PDF free trial, which gives you unlimited access to its secure and safe PDF reader and editor.

Soda PDF, whose website he invites you to access using his sponsored link, meaning you literally are the product from the author’s standpoint

I appreciate your replies!

Good eye there Reset0609!

I’ll forget everything in that article!

I just finished reading this and it mentions Sumatra: 5 Best Free PDF Readers and Viewers for Windows - PCInsider

@lepras

@Average_Joe

SumatraPDF as the best choice for Windows PC’s

that’s what I myself use, nothing comes close.

I appreciate your reply Lepras!

Do you use anything else to prevent Sumatra from contacting the Internet and sending private and personal user data?

I tried PMing you but it seems like I’m not able to?

[lepras]

@Average_Joe

Do you use anything else to prevent Sumatra from contacting the Internet and sending private and personal user data?

firewall it? (Portmaster)

[Average_Joe (Joey)]

]

@lepras

@Average_Joe

Do you use anything else to prevent Sumatra from contacting the Internet and sending private and personal user data?

firewall it? (Portmaster)

I appreciate your reply!

I don’t have any experience with this App. Is it recommended on Privacy Guides?

How can I trust it?

Edit: I have a thread here dedicated to the topic of Windows software firewalls:

Software Firewall for Windows?

That’s a general problem with unsandboxed apps. On Linux it’s not different. If you use a sudo account for everyday use, it’s even easier for malicious apps to manipulate firewall rules than on Windows.

[lepras]

@Average_Joe

How can I trust it?

Henry once did review here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8cTRhGtmcM

[widget]

I have started using Sumatra on one PC and Firefox Nightly on other.

[Average_Joe (Joey)]

@lepras

@Average_Joe

How can I trust it?

Henry once did review here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8cTRhGtmcM

I appreciate your reply!

I’ll watch the video asap but I’ve never heard of this person before…

Is he a trustworthy source?

[exaCORE]

I don’t know as I do not watch them,but @jonah works with techlore. Do with that information as you wish.

[Average_Joe (Joey)]

@widget

I have started using Sumatra on one PC and Firefox Nightly on other.

I appreciate your reply!

How has your experience been with Sumatra?

I’m still struggling to make a choice for which PDF reader I can 100% trust as not sending my personal user information back to someone on the Internet like Adobe seems to love doing…

[bqfls (burger queen, PG (privacy gamer))]

Please avoid these garbage articles, they are made in like 5 minutes by people who want ad-revenue from clicks and have nothing of substance to offer. I’ve never heard of Sumatra PDF before, but it does seem to be open source.

I just use Okular/Firefox for PDFs. I am on Linux though, and use Okular because its fonts are sometimes nicer than what Firefox’s PDF reader uses for the exact same PDF.

Firefox’s PDF reader has editing functionality, and Okular can bypass PDF DRM. So hence depending on my use case I swap between those two.

[widget]

Good.

[ianopolous (Dr Ian Preston)]

If you’re worried about your PDF viewer contacting random servers on the internet, then you might be interested in the app sandbox in peergos (which has a pdf viewer app), which is designed to prevent data exfiltration.

https://peergos.org
You can read more about the app sandbox here: A better web

[Average_Joe (Joey)]

@bqfls

Please avoid these garbage articles, they are made in like 5 minutes by people who want ad-revenue from clicks and have nothing of substance to offer. I’ve never heard of Sumatra PDF before, but it does seem to be open source.

I appreciate your reply!

Which article that I posted are you referring to?

@ianopolous

If you’re worried about your PDF viewer contacting random servers on the internet, then you might be interested in the app sandbox in peergos (which has a pdf viewer app), which is designed to prevent data exfiltration.

https://peergos.org
You can read more about the app sandbox here: A better web

I appreciate your reply!

This is the first time I’ve ever come across Peergos. Is it much better than Windows 10’s builtin Sandbox?

I’m surprised Sumatra PDF isn’t much more well known as it’s open source, FOSS, is lightweight and is also available as a portable version. Sumatra also focuses on user privacy and I think this makes it the most secure PDF Reader for Windows PCs.

EDIT:
Regarding how to enable Windows 10 Sandbox. This is the best guide I’ve seen:
https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/install-windows-sandbox-windows-10-11/

[bqfls (burger queen, PG (privacy gamer))]

@Average_Joe

Which article that I posted are you referring to?

the article you posted in this message :

PDF Reader That Is The Best For User Privacy?

I just came across this PDF Reviewer who says: *Are Free PDF Readers and Editors Secure? I would strongly recommend against using a completely free PDF editor since the company has to find some way to make a profit, and you are most likely the product. Instead, take advantage of the Soda PDF free trial, which gives you unlimited access to its secure and safe PDF reader and editor. You can encrypt your files and add passwords to ensure that no one can open or view the files without your authori…

[sha123]

If it is just about reading, simply use a browser. The PDF reader in it is sandboxed, can only use a very limited subset of JS, and has no internet connection. Every local file is treated as its own origin, meaning it is sandboxed from all other files and the host.

[securitybrahh (Sovereign Shadow)]

For security, you can just pass the pdf through https://dangerzone.rocks/