I have some files (document word or pdf) to be written on an USB drive that Will be given to a second person i cannot control. I need him not to be able in ANY way to modify or delete files from the drive, but he needs to be able to read files or print them. The only person able to delete or modify must be me. I imagine i have to use some type of password system... But how am i supposed to do?
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1If the device is physically writable, then the recipient can delete the file or format the device. Maybe a CD would be a better option. – Eugene Mayevski 'Callback May 21 '13 at 11:44
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In the worst case, i'll be doing this... ^^ – Sasha Grievus May 21 '13 at 14:02
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As far as I know this can only be done at either an application level (for example using Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Office security features) or a file-system level (file permissions).
The problem with application level security is that it limits the number of file types you can share, but in your case you've only specified PDF and MS Word, both of which have protection features, depending on the versions you're using.
The problem with using file-system level permissions is that none of the file-systems with permission support in general use (NTFS, HFS+, Ext3/4) are compatible across all platforms.
In this case I'd say convert them all to PDF and use the PDF protection features.
EDIT: I don't think you'll be able to prevent the user from deleting files at all.
Intermernet
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PDF encryption is easily removed by the user who has a legitimate password to open the file and get its contents. – Eugene Mayevski 'Callback May 21 '13 at 11:49
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Yes, I'm talking about the protection features that theoretically lock the file to only allow certain operations. – Intermernet May 21 '13 at 11:50
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Yea, the protection cover one point... avoid deleting the file seems to be difficult – Sasha Grievus May 21 '13 at 14:01
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@ElisabettaFalivene avoiding deletion is only possible with a true read-only file system. As suggested above, it may be easier to burn these to CD-ROM. – Intermernet May 21 '13 at 14:08
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Yea, i guess it is. I know there are usb drive having a phisical device to avoid writing on them, but no one stops the user to touch the button ^^ – Sasha Grievus May 21 '13 at 14:20