Frequently Asked Questions

HTPBE (Has This PDF Been Edited) is a free online service that helps you verify whether a PDF document has been modified or tampered with. Simply upload your PDF file and get an instant yes/no answer about its authenticity.

The service analyzes the PDF’s internal structure, metadata, and creation history to detect any signs of post-creation modifications. This is especially useful when you need to verify the authenticity of important documents you receive from others.

Common scenarios: verifying payment confirmations from buyers, checking invoice authenticity, validating certificates and diplomas, confirming contract integrity, and detecting screenshot manipulations.

You don’t need technical knowledge to use HTPBE—just upload your PDF and get clear results in seconds. The service is completely free, requires no registration, and works with PDF files up to 10 MB.

Payment confirmation fraud is a real problem in online transactions. When someone sends you a PDF screenshot or receipt as “proof of payment”, it could have been digitally edited to fake the transaction details.

Common fraud scenarios:

• Marketplace sellers: A buyer sends a fake payment confirmation to receive goods before actually paying
• Freelancers: A client shows an edited bank transfer screenshot claiming payment was sent
• Rental/accommodation: A tenant provides a modified payment receipt to avoid actual payment
• Online businesses: Customers submit altered invoices or receipts to claim refunds or discounts
• Peer-to-peer transactions: Someone shows fake payment proof to receive goods or services

How HTPBE helps: By checking if the PDF has been modified, you can quickly identify suspicious payment confirmations. If a payment screenshot shows as “modified” in our analysis, it’s a red flag that the document may have been tampered with.

Important: Always verify payment through your actual bank account or payment platform. HTPBE is an additional verification tool, not a replacement for checking your real account balance.

People use HTPBE to verify PDF authenticity in many real-world situations:

Financial & Payments:

• Payment confirmations: Verify bank transfer receipts and payment screenshots from buyers or clients
• Invoices: Check if invoices from suppliers or contractors have been altered
• Receipts: Validate expense receipts for reimbursement or accounting
• Financial statements: Confirm authenticity of bank statements or financial reports

Business & Legal:

• Contracts: Verify that contracts haven’t been modified after signing
• Agreements: Check business agreements for tampering before execution
• Legal documents: Validate authenticity of court documents or legal notices

Academic & Professional:

• Certificates: Verify educational certificates and diplomas from applicants
• Transcripts: Check academic transcripts for modifications
• Professional credentials: Validate licenses and certifications

E-commerce & Marketplaces:

• Shipping confirmations: Verify delivery receipts and shipping documents
• Order confirmations: Check authenticity of purchase orders
• Return receipts: Validate return and refund documentation

In all these scenarios, HTPBE provides a quick first check to identify potentially tampered documents, helping you make safer decisions in your transactions and business dealings.

HTPBE is used by a wide range of people and businesses who need to verify document authenticity:

Online Sellers & Marketplace Vendors: Verify payment confirmations from buyers before shipping products, especially on platforms without integrated payment protection.

Freelancers & Independent Contractors: Check client payment receipts and invoices before starting work or delivering projects.

Small Business Owners: Validate invoices, receipts, and financial documents from customers, suppliers, and partners.

HR & Recruitment Professionals: Verify authenticity of certificates, diplomas, and professional credentials from job applicants.

Landlords & Property Managers: Check payment confirmations and rental receipts from tenants.

Accountants & Bookkeepers: Validate expense receipts and financial documents for accurate record-keeping.

Legal Professionals: Perform preliminary checks on document integrity for contracts and legal paperwork.

E-commerce Operations: Verify return receipts, shipping confirmations, and order documentation.

Anyone Making Peer-to-Peer Transactions: Validate payment proof when buying or selling goods/services directly to other individuals.

Basically, anyone who receives PDF documents from others and needs to trust their authenticity before making important decisions or transactions can benefit from HTPBE.

Our PDF authenticity checker uses advanced multi-layer forensic analysis to detect if a PDF document has been modified or tampered with. The system analyzes PDF metadata including creation dates, modification timestamps, creator and producer information, and PDF version details.

We also examine the internal file structure at the byte level to identify evidence of post-creation modifications, detect digital signatures and analyze their integrity, and scan for embedded malicious code or suspicious scripts.

All detection layers feed into our proprietary risk assessment algorithm, which uses an internal confidence score (0-100) to produce the final result. You see a simple binary answer: whether the PDF has been modified (yes) or not (no). This PDF verification process helps you determine document integrity at a glance.

Our PDF modification detection system provides high accuracy through multi-layer analysis combining metadata validation, structural analysis, and signature verification. The accuracy depends on several factors: the quality of PDF metadata, the sophistication of modification attempts, and the PDF creation tools used.

Our system can detect most common PDF editing scenarios including metadata changes, content modifications, and structural alterations. However, sophisticated manipulation techniques or unusual PDF creation workflows may occasionally produce unexpected results.

Internally we use a confidence score (0-100) to decide the result; you only see a binary answer: the PDF has been modified (yes) or it has not (no). For critical decisions, we recommend using our PDF authenticity checker as part of a broader verification strategy rather than relying solely on automated results.

Yes, our PDF authenticity verification service prioritizes your privacy and security. PDF files are temporarily processed in secure cloud storage (Vercel Blob) solely for the duration necessary to complete the analysis. Files are permanently and automatically deleted immediately after analysis completes, typically within minutes.

We only store analysis results and extracted metadata such as filename, file size, creation date, modification date, creator information, and risk scores—never the actual PDF file content.

All data transmission uses encrypted HTTPS/TLS protocols, and our infrastructure follows industry-standard security practices. We analyze technical file structure only and never read document content, ensuring your sensitive information remains private throughout the PDF verification process.

Our PDF authenticity checker accepts PDF files up to 10 megabytes (10 MB) in size. This limit ensures fast analysis and optimal performance for most common PDF documents including contracts, certificates, invoices, reports, and academic documents.

Files exceeding this limit will be rejected with an error message. If you need to check larger PDF files, consider splitting them into smaller documents or compressing the PDF before upload.

The 10 MB limit applies to the original file size before any processing. Our free PDF verification service is designed to handle typical document sizes efficiently while maintaining quick response times and reliable analysis results for PDF modification detection.

The risk score (0-100) is an internal metric our system uses to decide whether a PDF has been modified. It combines metadata inconsistencies, structural anomalies, signature verification, and modification timestamps. You do not need to interpret this number.

What you see is a binary result: the service tells you either that the PDF has been modified (yes) or that it has not been modified (no). That yes/no outcome is what the internal scoring is used to produce. The detailed metadata and findings on the result page can help you understand the reasoning behind the answer.

Our PDF modification detection system can identify most common types of PDF alterations including:

• Metadata changes (creation dates, modification dates, creator/producer information)
• Structural modifications (xref table changes, incremental updates, object-level changes)
• Post-creation content modifications (page additions, object insertions, structural edits)
• Digital signature tampering

However, extremely sophisticated manipulation techniques using specialized PDF editing tools may sometimes evade detection. The system works best with standard PDF creation workflows and common editing software.

Some limitations include: PDFs created with unusual or custom tools may show false positives, password-protected PDFs cannot be analyzed, and PDFs with corrupted metadata may produce inconclusive results. For comprehensive PDF verification, we recommend using our service alongside other document integrity checks, especially for critical legal or financial documents.

PDF authenticity checking typically completes within a few seconds for most documents. The analysis time depends on file size, complexity, and server load.

Typical processing times:

• Small PDF files (under 1 MB) usually process in 2-5 seconds
• Larger files (5-10 MB) may take 10-20 seconds

The multi-layer PDF verification process includes metadata extraction, structural analysis, signature verification, and risk scoring—all optimized for speed. You’ll see real-time progress updates during upload and analysis.

Our PDF modification detection service is designed for instant results, allowing you to quickly verify document integrity without waiting. If analysis takes longer than expected, it may indicate a complex PDF structure or temporary server load, but most PDF authenticity checks complete rapidly.

PDF metadata is embedded information within a PDF file that includes creation date, modification date, creator application, producer application, PDF version, title, author, subject, keywords, and other document properties.

This metadata is crucial for PDF authenticity verification because it provides a digital fingerprint of the document’s history. When someone edits a PDF, metadata often changes—modification dates update, producer information may change, and structural elements can be altered.

Our PDF authenticity checker analyzes this metadata to detect inconsistencies that suggest tampering. For example, if a PDF shows a creation date after its modification date, or if the producer tool doesn’t match the creator tool in expected ways, these anomalies indicate potential PDF modification.

Understanding PDF metadata helps you interpret analysis results and make informed decisions about document integrity and authenticity.

Yes, our PDF authenticity verification service can analyze legal documents, but results should be interpreted carefully. The PDF modification detection provides technical evidence about document integrity based on metadata and structural analysis.

However, for legal proceedings, you may need additional verification methods including expert witness testimony, forensic document examination, or certified PDF analysis. Our service helps identify potential issues with legal PDFs such as contracts, agreements, or court documents, but the results are indicative rather than definitive legal proof.

We recommend consulting with legal professionals about how PDF authenticity analysis results can support your case. The detailed analysis report can serve as supporting evidence, but it should be part of a comprehensive document verification strategy rather than the sole basis for legal decisions.

In PDF metadata, Creator refers to the application that originally created the document content (like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Adobe InDesign), while Producer refers to the application that converted or last saved the document to PDF format (like Adobe Acrobat, PDF printer, or online converters).

This distinction is important for PDF authenticity checking because mismatches between Creator and Producer can indicate document modification. For example, a document created in Word but saved as PDF through a different tool shows different Creator and Producer values—this is normal.

However, if our PDF modification detection finds unexpected changes in these values or timestamps that don’t align with the document history, it may suggest tampering. Understanding Creator vs Producer helps interpret PDF verification results and identify potential document integrity issues.

No, our PDF authenticity checker does not read or store your document content. While we temporarily load the PDF file into memory for technical analysis, we only examine file structure, metadata, and PDF formatting information—never extracting or reading the actual text, images, or content within your PDF files.

This privacy-focused approach means sensitive documents remain completely confidential. The PDF verification process examines file structure, creation/modification dates, creator/producer information, digital signatures, and structural elements like xref tables and incremental updates.

We extract metadata such as filename, file size, page count, and PDF version, but never access or extract document content. This makes our PDF modification detection service safe for confidential documents including contracts, financial statements, personal records, and proprietary information. Your document content is never read, extracted, or stored—only technical metadata and structural information that helps determine PDF authenticity.

Incremental updates in PDF files occur when changes are saved to a PDF without rewriting the entire file. Instead, modifications are appended to the end of the file, creating multiple versions within a single PDF.

This is significant for PDF authenticity checking because incremental updates can indicate document modification history. Our PDF modification detection system analyzes these incremental updates to identify when and how a PDF was changed.

Multiple incremental updates may suggest frequent editing or tampering attempts. However, some legitimate PDF creation workflows also use incremental updates, so our PDF verification considers context when interpreting these findings.

The presence of incremental updates doesn’t automatically mean tampering—it’s one factor in our comprehensive PDF authenticity analysis that helps build a complete picture of document integrity and modification history.

While our PDF authenticity checker detects most common modification methods, sophisticated PDF editing techniques using specialized tools may sometimes evade detection. Advanced users with deep PDF knowledge could potentially modify documents in ways that minimize metadata changes or structural anomalies.

However, such modifications typically require significant technical expertise and specialized software. Our multi-layer PDF verification approach analyzes multiple detection vectors including metadata consistency, structural integrity, signature verification, and modification traces—making it difficult to modify PDFs without leaving some evidence.

For critical documents, we recommend using our PDF modification detection alongside other verification methods. The risk score and detailed findings help identify suspicious patterns even when modifications are sophisticated. No PDF authenticity checking system is 100% foolproof, but our comprehensive analysis provides strong protection against most common tampering attempts.

You get a simple binary answer: the PDF has been modified (yes) or it has not (no). Our system uses an internal confidence score (0-100) to produce this result; you do not need to interpret the number yourself.

On the result page you also see detailed metadata (creation date, modification date, creator, producer) and structural findings (e.g. incremental updates, xref anomalies). These help you understand why the service gave a yes or no. If the result seems unexpected, consider the PDF’s creation workflow and whether any modifications were authorized.

For important decisions, use this yes/no result as part of a broader verification strategy rather than the sole factor.

Yes, our PDF verification service is completely free for basic use. You can upload PDF files up to 10 MB, receive instant PDF modification detection analysis, and access detailed results including risk scores, metadata information, and modification status—all without registration or payment.

The free PDF authenticity checker includes full access to our multi-layer analysis system, comprehensive results pages, and shareable result links.

For developers and businesses needing programmatic access, bulk processing, or higher rate limits, API access is available upon request. The free service is designed to help individuals and small organizations verify PDF document integrity without cost barriers. Whether you’re checking a contract, verifying a certificate, or investigating document tampering, our free PDF authenticity verification provides professional-grade analysis at no charge.

Our PDF authenticity checker supports most standard PDF formats including PDF 1.3 through PDF 2.0, linearized PDFs, PDF/A (archival format), and PDF/X (print format). While older versions (PDF 1.0-1.2) may work, analysis is most reliable with PDF 1.3 and newer.

The PDF verification system can analyze PDFs created by any standard PDF creation tool including Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, LibreOffice, online PDF converters, and specialized PDF software.

Some limitations apply: password-protected or encrypted PDFs cannot be analyzed, corrupted PDFs may fail to process, and non-standard PDF variants might produce unexpected results. Our PDF modification detection works best with standard, unencrypted PDF files following ISO 32000 specifications.

Each PDF authenticity check generates a unique, permanent URL that you can share with others to view the analysis results. After uploading your PDF and completing the PDF verification, you’ll receive a results page with a shareable link (format: htpbe.tech/result/[unique-id]).

This link provides full access to the analysis including risk scores, modification status, metadata details, and all findings. You can share this link via email, messaging apps, or embed it in documents. The results page includes social sharing buttons for easy distribution.

Recipients don’t need accounts or special access—the link works for anyone. This makes it easy to share PDF modification detection results with colleagues, clients, or legal professionals.

Note: The shared link shows analysis results only, not the original PDF file, maintaining privacy while enabling collaboration on PDF authenticity verification.

Your uploaded PDF file is stored temporarily in secure cloud storage (Vercel Blob) during the analysis process. Files are automatically deleted approximately one hour after upload as part of Vercel’s standard retention policy.

We do not manually delete files immediately after analysis because this allows you time to re-check results if needed. However, the automatic cleanup ensures your files don’t remain stored indefinitely.

Important: We only retain the analysis results and metadata permanently in our database—never the actual PDF file content. This includes information like filename, file size, creation date, modification date, risk scores, and detected findings. The original PDF file itself is automatically purged from storage after approximately one hour.

This approach balances security, privacy, and functionality while complying with data retention best practices.

A PDF showing as “modified” doesn’t necessarily mean someone tampered with the content. Many legitimate actions create modifications that our PDF authenticity checker detects:

• Saving or exporting: Re-saving a PDF in any tool (even without changes) updates the modification date and metadata
• Format conversion: Converting from Word/Excel to PDF, or PDF to PDF/A, creates new metadata
• Adding signatures: Digitally signing a PDF creates incremental updates
• Printing to PDF: “Printing” a PDF to create a new PDF changes all metadata
• Auto-save features: Some PDF viewers auto-save which triggers modification timestamps
• Annotation or comments: Adding notes, highlights, or comments modifies the file structure

Our system detects any structural changes after the PDF was originally created. This is intentional—it helps you know the document’s complete history. A “modified” result doesn’t automatically mean fraud or tampering; it means the file has a history beyond its initial creation.

Review the detailed findings on the results page to understand what specific changes were detected and whether they align with your document’s known history.

Analysis results are stored permanently in our database. Once you upload and analyze a PDF, the results remain accessible indefinitely at the unique URL (htpbe.tech/result/[unique-id]).

This permanent storage has several benefits:

• You can reference analysis results months or years later for audits or legal proceedings
• Shared links remain valid indefinitely, ensuring recipients can always view results
• Historical analysis can be compared if you check the same document multiple times

What is stored permanently: Analysis metadata, risk scores, modification status, creation/modification dates, creator/producer information, structural findings, and detection results.

What is NOT stored permanently: The actual PDF file content. As mentioned in our privacy policy, uploaded PDF files are automatically deleted from storage approximately one hour after upload. Only the analysis results remain.

This approach ensures you have long-term access to verification results while protecting your document privacy and minimizing storage of sensitive file content.

No, you cannot view or download your original PDF file from the results page. The results page displays only the analysis metadata and findings—not the document itself.

This is a deliberate privacy and security feature. We do not store PDF file content permanently, and we do not provide access to uploaded files after analysis completes. Uploaded PDF files are automatically deleted from storage approximately one hour after upload.

The results page shows comprehensive analysis information including:

• Modification status (modified/not modified)
• Risk score and confidence level
• Metadata (creation date, modification date, creator, producer)
• Structural findings (incremental updates, signatures, etc.)
• Specific anomalies detected

Keep your original PDF file: If you need to reference the actual document later, make sure to keep a copy on your local device. The analysis results are permanent, but access to the original file is not.

This policy protects user privacy by ensuring uploaded documents are not accessible to others through shared result links, even if the link is compromised.

Yes, and this is an important limitation to understand. Our PDF authenticity checker detects modifications to existing PDF files—we cannot verify if a brand-new PDF was created with falsified content.

Example scenario: Someone could:

• Create a fake invoice or certificate with false information
• Print or export it as a fresh PDF file
• The PDF will appear as “not modified” because it’s technically a new file, not a modified existing one

How to protect yourself: Always pay close attention to the Creation Date shown in the analysis results. Ask yourself:

• Does the creation date make logical sense for this document?
• If it’s supposedly a 2020 invoice, why was the PDF created in 2026?
• Is the creation date suspiciously recent for an “old” document?
• Does the timeline match the situation and claimed document origin?

Additional verification steps for critical documents:

• Request the original file from the issuing organization directly
• Verify document details with the claimed issuer (company, institution, authority)
• Check for official digital signatures or stamps
• Compare document format and layout with known authentic samples
• For scanned documents (photos of documents), request the original digital file instead

Our service is a powerful tool for detecting tampering with existing files, but it cannot replace human judgment and thorough verification processes. The creation date is your first line of defense against completely fabricated documents.

Fake invoices are a common fraud tactic used in business transactions. Here’s a comprehensive guide to identifying suspicious invoices before they cost you money.

Red Flags in Invoice Content:

• Inconsistent formatting: Mixed fonts, misaligned text, or unprofessional layout compared to previous invoices from the same vendor
• Unusual payment details: New bank account numbers, different payment methods, or requests to pay to personal accounts instead of company accounts
• Generic company information: Vague business names, missing tax IDs, or incomplete contact details
• Spelling and grammar errors: Professional businesses rarely send invoices with obvious typos or poor grammar
• Round numbers: Suspiciously round amounts (e.g., exactly $5,000.00) without itemized details

Technical Verification Steps:

• Check PDF metadata: Use HTPBE to verify if the invoice PDF has been modified. A modified invoice is a major red flag
• Verify creation date: Does the PDF creation date match the invoice date? A 2023 invoice created in 2026 is suspicious
• Examine file properties: Check the creator/producer software. Does it match what the vendor typically uses?
• Compare with previous invoices: Look at metadata from legitimate past invoices for consistency

Business Verification:

• Contact the vendor directly: Call using a phone number from their official website, not from the invoice itself
• Verify invoice numbers: Check if the invoice number follows the vendor’s sequential numbering system
• Request a resend: Ask the vendor to resend the invoice from their official email address
• Cross-check amounts: Verify the invoice amount matches your purchase order or agreement

What to Do If You Suspect a Fake Invoice:

• Do not make any payment until verification is complete
• Report the suspicious invoice to your company’s fraud department or financial controller
• Document all communication and save the suspicious PDF file
• Contact the legitimate vendor to inform them their identity may be compromised
• If you’ve already paid, contact your bank immediately to attempt reversal

Prevention Best Practices:

• Establish vendor verification procedures before processing any invoices
• Use HTPBE to routinely check invoice PDFs for modifications
• Maintain a database of verified vendor payment details
• Require dual authorization for payments over certain thresholds
• Train staff to recognize common invoice fraud tactics

Remember: Taking 5 minutes to verify an invoice can save thousands of dollars in fraud losses. When in doubt, always verify directly with the vendor through official channels.

Protect yourself and your business from PDF document fraud with these essential best practices. Implement these strategies to minimize risk when dealing with PDF files.

1. Always Verify PDF Authenticity

Use HTPBE or similar tools to check if critical PDF documents (invoices, contracts, certificates) have been modified. Make this a standard part of your document review process, especially for financial documents.

2. Check Creation and Modification Dates

Review PDF metadata carefully. If someone sends you a “2020 contract” but the PDF was created last week, that’s a red flag. Creation dates should align logically with the document’s claimed origin and purpose.

3. Verify Senders Through Multiple Channels

Never trust a PDF document based solely on email communication. Call the sender using a phone number from their official website or business card, not from the email or PDF itself. Confirm they actually sent the document.

4. Request Original Documents When Suspicious

If a PDF shows signs of modification or seems suspicious, request a fresh copy directly from the issuing organization. Contact them through official channels and ask for a new copy sent from their verified email address.

5. Implement Dual Authorization for Financial Documents

Require two people to review and approve high-value invoices or payment requests. One person should verify authenticity (using HTPBE), while another confirms business validity. This reduces the risk of a single point of failure.

6. Maintain Vendor Verification Records

Keep a verified database of legitimate vendor details including official email addresses, payment account numbers, contact persons, and typical invoice formats. Compare new documents against this database before processing payments.

7. Be Skeptical of Urgent Payment Requests

Fraudsters create artificial urgency (“Pay immediately or service will be suspended”). Legitimate businesses understand verification takes time. If someone pressures immediate payment without allowing verification, it’s likely fraud.

8. Train Your Team on PDF Fraud Tactics

Educate employees about common fraud scenarios: fake invoices, modified contracts, altered payment confirmations, forged certificates, and edited bank statements. Regular training reduces successful fraud attempts significantly.

9. Use Digital Signatures for Your Own Documents

When sending important PDFs, digitally sign them with a valid certificate. This allows recipients to verify the document came from you and hasn’t been modified. It also sets a professional standard and encourages others to do the same.

10. Establish a Clear Escalation Process

Create documented procedures for handling suspicious documents. Define who should be contacted, what information to gather, and when to involve legal or law enforcement. Having a clear process ensures consistent, appropriate responses to potential fraud.

Bonus Tip: Document Everything

When you detect a suspicious PDF, save the file, document the metadata, capture screenshots, and record all verification attempts. This documentation is crucial if you need to report fraud to authorities or dispute charges.

Remember: PDF fraud is increasingly sophisticated. These best practices create multiple layers of protection. No single measure is foolproof, but together they significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to document fraud.

Start by making HTPBE checks a standard part of your document verification workflow today.

PDF metadata might sound technical, but it’s actually quite simple. Think of it as a document’s “birth certificate” and “medical history” combined. Here’s everything you need to know, explained in plain language.

What is PDF Metadata?

Metadata is hidden information embedded inside a PDF file that describes the document itself. You can’t see it when viewing the PDF normally, but it’s there in the background, recording important details about the file’s history and origin.

Think of it like the EXIF data in a photo (which records camera model, date taken, location) but for PDF documents instead.

What Information Does PDF Metadata Contain?

Most PDFs include these key metadata fields:

• Title: The document’s official title (may differ from the filename)
• Author: Person or organization who created the document
• Subject: Brief description of the document’s content
• Keywords: Tags or categories assigned to the document
• Creator: The software application used to create the original document (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs)
• Producer: The software that generated the PDF file (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, PDFCreator)
• Creation Date: When the PDF file was first created
• Modification Date: When the PDF was last modified or saved
• PDF Version: The technical version of the PDF format used (e.g., 1.4, 1.7, 2.0)

Why Does PDF Metadata Matter?

PDF metadata is crucial for detecting fraud and verifying document authenticity:

• Timeline verification: Check if dates make sense. A “2020 contract” created in 2026 is suspicious.
• Modification detection: If creation date and modification date differ significantly, the document was edited after creation.
• Source verification: Creator/producer information shows what software made the PDF, helping identify fake documents.
• Consistency checking: Compare metadata from multiple documents from the same source—inconsistencies indicate potential fraud.

How HTPBE Uses PDF Metadata

When you upload a PDF to HTPBE, our system analyzes the metadata as part of our 5-layer verification process:

1. Extract all metadata fields from the PDF
2. Check for date inconsistencies and anomalies
3. Analyze creation vs. modification timestamps
4. Examine creator/producer patterns for red flags
5. Compare metadata against known fraud signatures

This metadata analysis is combined with structural examination, signature verification, and threat detection to produce your final result.

Can Metadata Be Faked or Removed?

Yes, metadata can be edited or stripped from PDF files using various tools. However:

• Editing metadata leaves traces: Our system detects when metadata has been manipulated
• Missing metadata is suspicious: Legitimate PDFs from professional software always include metadata
• Inconsistent metadata patterns: Sophisticated analysis can identify metadata that doesn’t match typical patterns

This is why HTPBE doesn’t rely on metadata alone—we use multi-layer analysis combining metadata, internal structure, signatures, and security threats.

How to View PDF Metadata Yourself

You can view basic PDF metadata without special tools:

• Windows: Right-click the PDF file → Properties → Details tab
• Mac: Select the PDF → Get Info (Cmd+I) → More Info section
• Adobe Acrobat/Reader: File → Properties → Description tab

However, viewing metadata manually doesn’t tell you if it’s been manipulated. That’s where HTPBE’s forensic analysis adds value.

Key Takeaway

PDF metadata is like a document’s hidden history. While anyone can read basic metadata, sophisticated analysis is needed to detect manipulation and verify authenticity. HTPBE automates this complex analysis, giving you a simple yes/no answer about document integrity.

When evaluating important PDFs, always check the metadata—it often reveals the truth about a document’s origins and history.