Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a family of application software and Web services developed by Adobe Inc. to view, create, manipulate, print and manage files in Portable Document Format (PDF).[19]

Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC running on Windows 8. Other editions of Acrobat DC (Standard and Reader) feature a similar interface.
Developer(s)Adobe Inc.
Initial releaseJune 15, 1993 (1993-06-15)
Stable release(s) [±]
Windows, continuous track20.012.20041 / August 11, 2020 (2020-08-11)[1][2]
Windows, classic track (2015)15.006.30527 / August 11, 2020 (2020-08-11)[1][3]
Windows, classic track (2017)17.011.30175 / August 11, 2020 (2020-08-11)[1][4]
macOS, continuous track20.012.20041 / August 11, 2020 (2020-08-11)[1][5]
OS X, classic track15.006.30527 / August 11, 2020 (2020-08-11)[1][6]
Android20.6.2.14256 / July 29, 2020 (2020-07-29)[7]
iOS20.07.00 / July 23, 2020 (2020-07-23)[8]
Windows, UWP, PC3.1 / September 29, 2014 (2014-09-29)[9][10]
Windows, UWP, mobile16.0.137027 / February 3, 2016 (2016-02-03)[11]
Linux9.5.5 / May 14, 2013 (2013-05-14)[12][13]
Solaris9.4.1 / November 30, 2010 (2010-11-30)[14]
HP-UX, AIX7.0.9 / January 9, 2007 (2007-01-09)[15]
Preview release(s) [±]
None [±]
Operating systemWindows, macOS, Linux,[16] Android, iOS, BlackBerry Tablet OS, BlackBerry 10, Windows Phone
Size
TypeDesktop publishing
LicenseProprietary
Website

The family comprises Acrobat Reader (formerly Reader), Acrobat (formerly Exchange) and Acrobat.com. The basic Acrobat Reader, available for several desktop and mobile platforms, is freeware; it supports viewing, printing and annotating of PDF files.[20] Additional, "Premium", services are available for reader on paid subscription. The commercial proprietary Acrobat, available for Microsoft Windows and macOS only, can also create, edit, convert, digitally sign, encrypt, export and publish PDF files. Acrobat.com complements the family with a variety of enterprise content management and file hosting services.

Purpose

The main function of Adobe Acrobat is creating and viewing PDF documents. It can import popular document and image formats and save them as PDF. It is also possible to import a scanner's output, a website, or the contents of the Windows clipboard.

Because of the nature of the PDF, however, once a PDF document is created, its natural organization and flow cannot be meaningfully modified. In other words, Adobe Acrobat is able to modify the contents of paragraphs and images, but doing so does not repaginate the whole document to accommodate for a longer or shorter document. Acrobat can crop PDF pages, change their order, manipulate hyperlinks, digitally sign a PDF file, add comments, redact certain parts of the PDF file, and ensure its adherence to such standards as PDF/A.

History
Main article: Adobe Acrobat version history

Adobe Acrobat came to being in 1993 and had to compete with other products and proprietary formats that aimed to create digital documents:

Acrobat XI
Reader XI
Distiller XI
Acrobat.com
CreatePDF
ExportPDF
EchoSign
FormsCentral
SendNow
Old logos of Acrobat apps and services

Adobe has renamed the Acrobat products several times, in addition to merging, splitting and discontinuing them. Initially, the offered products were called Acrobat Reader, Acrobat Exchange and Acrobat Distiller. "Acrobat Exchange" soon became "Acrobat". Over time, "Acrobat Reader" became "Reader". Between versions 3 and 5, Acrobat did not have several editions. In 1999, the Acrobat.com service came to being and introduced several web services whose names started with "Acrobat", but eventually, "Acrobat.com" was downgraded from the name of the family of services, to that of one of those services.

By April 1, 2015, the Acrobat family consisted of:[24]

  • Acrobat XI Pro (for Windows and macOS)
  • Acrobat XI Standard (for Windows only)
  • Reader XI (for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS)
  • FormsCentral (web service with desktop client)
  • EchoSign (web service)
  • Acrobat.com (web service)
  • PDF Pack (web service)
  • Send (web service)

Unlike most other Adobe products, such as members of Adobe Creative Suite family, the Acrobat products do not have icons that display two letters on a colored rectangle.

Document Cloud

In April 2015, Adobe introduced the "Document Cloud" branding (alongside its Creative Cloud) to signify its adoption of the cloud storage and the software as a service model. Apps under this branding received a "DC" suffix. In addition, "Reader" was renamed back to "Acrobat Reader".[25][26] Following the introduction of Document Cloud, Acrobat.com was discontinued as their features were integrated into the desktop and mobile apps.

The UI had major changes with the introduction of Acrobat DC in 2015, which supports Windows 7 and later, and OS X 10.9 and later. Version numbers are now identified by the last two digits of the year of major release, and the month and year is specified; the previous version was 12, but examples of the DC (Document Cloud) Acrobat product family versions are DC June 2016, version 15.016.20045, released 2 June 2016 and DC Classic January 2016, version 15.006.30119, released 12 January 2016.[27] From DC 2015 the Acrobat family is available in two tracks, the original track, now named Classic, and the Continuous track.[28] Updates for the Classic track are released quarterly, and do not include new features, whereas updates for the Continuous track are issued more frequently, and implemented silently and automatically.[29]

The last pre-DC version, Acrobat XI, was updated to 11.0.23 version (and this was the final release[30]) on November 14, 2017,[31] support for which ended on October 15, 2017.[32]

As of August 2018, the main members of the Acrobat family include:[33]

  • Acrobat Pro DC (for Windows and macOS)
  • Acrobat Standard DC (for Windows only)
  • Acrobat Reader DC (for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Windows Phone)
  • Fill & Sign (for Android or iOS)
  • Sign (for Android or iOS)
  • Scan (for Android or iOS)
  • Document Cloud (web service with desktop clients)

Internationalization and localization

Adobe Acrobat is available in the following languages: Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish and Ukrainian. Arabic and Hebrew versions are available from WinSoft International,[34] Adobe Systems' internationalization and localization partner.

Before Adobe Acrobat DC, separate Arabic and Hebrew versions were developed specifically for these languages, which are normally written right-to-left. These versions include special TouchUp properties to manage digits, ligatures option and paragraph direction in right-to-left Middle Eastern scripts such as Arabic, Hebrew, and Persian, as well as standard left-to-right Indian scripts such as Devanagari and Gujarati. The Web Capture feature can convert single web pages or entire web sites into PDF files, while preserving the content's original text encoding. Acrobat can also copy Arabic and Hebrew text to the system clipboard in its original encoding; if the target application is also compatible with the text encoding, then the text will appear in the correct script.

Security

A comprehensive list of security bulletins for most Adobe products and related versions is published on their Security bulletins and advisories page and in other related venues.[35][36] In particular, the detailed history of security updates for all versions of Adobe Acrobat has been made public.[37]

From Version 3.02 onwards, Acrobat Reader has included support for JavaScript. This functionality allows a PDF document creator to include code which executes when the document is read. Malicious PDF files that attempt to attack security vulnerabilities can be attached to links on web pages or distributed as email attachments. While JavaScript is designed without direct access to the file system to make it "safe", vulnerabilities have been reported for abuses such as distributing malicious code by Acrobat programs.[38] Adobe applications had already become the most popular client-software targets for attackers during the last quarter of 2009.[39] McAfee predicted that Adobe software, especially Reader and Flash, would be the primary target for software attacks in the year 2010.[40]

September 2006 warning

On September 13, 2006, David Kierznowski provided sample PDF files illustrating JavaScript vulnerabilities. Since at least version 6, JavaScript can be disabled using the preferences menu[41] and embedded URLs that are launched are intercepted by a security warning dialog box to either allow or block the website from activating.[42]

February 2009 warning

On February 19, 2009, Adobe released a Security Bulletin announcing JavaScript vulnerabilities in Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 9 and earlier.[43] As a workaround for this issue, US-CERT recommended disabling JavaScript in the affected Adobe products, canceling integration with Windows shell and web browsers (while carrying out an extended version of de-integration for Internet Explorer), deactivating Adobe indexing services and avoiding all PDF files from external sources.[44]

February 2013 warning

Adobe has identified critical vulnerabilities in Adobe Reader and Acrobat XI (11.0.01 and earlier) for Windows and Macintosh, 9.5.3 and earlier 9.x versions. These vulnerabilities could cause the application to crash and potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system. There have been reports of these vulnerabilities being exploited to trick Windows users into clicking on a malicious PDF file delivered in an email message. Adobe recommended users update their product installations.[45]

January 2016 warning

Adobe has released security updates for Adobe Acrobat and Reader for Windows and Macintosh. These updates address critical vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system.[46][47]

gollark: What? No.
gollark: So now my laptop is exploding slightly from compiling 217 crates.
gollark: See, I decided that my eternally unfinished project would be even less finished in Rust, because the JS version took *60 milliseconds* a request (entirely unacceptable).
gollark: For example, sqlx appears to refuse to run my queries with no explanation beyond `relative URL without a base`.
gollark: As much as I like Rust *theoretically*, wow are its libraries frequently somewhat annoying to work with.

See also

References
  1. "Overview — Acrobat and Adobe Reader DC Release Notes". Adobe Systems. 2020-07-06.
  2. "20.012.20041 Planned update, Aug 11, 2020". Adobe Systems. 2020-08-11.
  3. "15.006.30523 Planned update, May 12, 2020". Adobe Systems. 2020-05-12.
  4. "17.011.30171 Planned update, May 12, 2020". Adobe Systems. 2020-05-12.
  5. "20.012.20041 Planned update, Aug 11, 2020 — Acrobat and Adobe Reader Release Notes". Adobe Systems. 2020-08-11.
  6. "15.006.30523 Planned update, May 12, 2020 — Acrobat and Adobe Reader Release Notes". Adobe Systems. 2020-05-12.
  7. Adobe Systems. "Adobe Reader". Google Play. Google Inc. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  8. Adobe Systems. "Adobe Reader". App Store. Apple. Retrieved 2020-03-19.
  9. "Adobe Reader Windows Store page". Microsoft Store. Microsoft. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
  10. "Adobe Reader Touch for Windows 8 adds Comments and More". Engineering blog for Adobe Reader on mobile platforms. Adobe Systems. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2013-03-07.
  11. Adobe Systems. "Adobe Acrobat Reader". Windows Store. Microsoft.
  12. "FTP download of Adobe Reader for Linux". ftp. Adobe Systems. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  13. "Adobe - Security Bulletins: APSB13-15 - Security updates for Adobe Reader and Acrobat". Adobe Systems. Retrieved 2015-11-26. Release date: May 14, 2013; Last updated: August 8, 2013; Vulnerability identifier: APSB13-15
  14. "Security Advisory for Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Reader and Acrobat". Adobe Systems. Retrieved 2018-04-19. Release date: October 28, 2010; Last updated: November 16, 2010; Vulnerability identifier: APSA10-05
  15. "Update available for vulnerabilities in versions 7.0.8 and earlier of Adobe Reader and Acrobat". Adobe Systems. Retrieved 2018-05-21. Release date: January 9, 2007; Last updated: January 16, 2007; Vulnerability identifier: APSB07-01
  16. "Download new and previous versions of Adobe Reader". Adobe.com. Adobe Systems. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  17. "Adobe – Adobe Reader download – All versions". adobe.com. Adobe Systems. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  18. "Download a free trial of Acrobat XI Pro". Adobe.com. Adobe Systems. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  19. "Adobe Acrobat family". 2008. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
  20. "Adobe Reader". 2008. Archived from the original on 18 January 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
  21. Borzo, Jeanette (14 June 1993). "Paperless: Tools resurrect hope for paperless office concept". InfoWorld. 15 (24). ISSN 0199-6649.
  22. Eckerson, Wayne (26 July 1993). "Farallon gives Adobe Acrobat run for money". Network World. International Data Group. 10 (30): 86. ISSN 0887-7661.
  23. Jarrin, Christopher (22 July 1996). "Reading what you sow". InfoWorld. 18 (30): 66. ISSN 0199-6649.
  24. "Acrobat XI Pro FAQ". adobe.com. Adobe Systems. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015.
  25. Heller, Martin (April 9, 2015). "Review: Adobe Acrobat polishes its act". InfoWorld. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  26. Frank, Blair Hanley (October 13, 2015). "Adobe teams up with Dropbox as part of Document Cloud upgrades". IDG News Service. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  27. "Release Notes - Acrobat, Reader". Acrobat Help. Adobe Systems.
  28. "Document Cloud Product Tracks — Enterprise Administration Guide". Adobe.com. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  29. https://www.adobe.com/devnet-docs/acrobatetk/tools/AdminGuide/whatsnewdc.html
  30. "Adobe Security Bulletin". helpx.adobe.com. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  31. "11.0.23 Planned update, November 14, 2017 — Acrobat and Adobe Reader Release Notes". www.adobe.com. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  32. "Adobe Support Policies: Supported Product Versions". Adobe. 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  33. "Adobe Acrobat DC FAQ". helpx.adobe.com. Adobe Systems. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  34. "Adobe Acrobat Professional software – Communicate and collaborate with the essential PDF solution, enhanced features for Central and East European and Middle Eastern users". Winsoft-international.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
  35. "Security Bulletins and Advisories". adobe.com. Adobe Systems.
  36. "Adobe PDF Security Issues, Acrobat Vulnerabilities, PDF Cracks". Locklizard.
  37. "Security Bulletins and Advisories – Adobe Acrobat". adobe.com. Adobe Systems.
  38. Brockmeier, Joe (30 March 2005). "Unexpected features in Acrobat 7". LWN.net. Eklektix. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  39. "McAfee Threats Report: Fourth Quarter 2009" (PDF). McAfee Avert Labs. February 2010. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  40. "2010 Threat Predictions" (PDF). McAfee Labs. December 2009. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2010.
  41. Naraine, Ryan (28 April 2009). "Adobe: Turn off JavaScript in PDF Reader". ZDNet. CBS Interactive.
  42. Naraine, Ryan (15 September 2006). "Hacker Discovers Adobe PDF Back Doors". eWeek. Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. Retrieved 5 August 2011. David Kierznowski, a penetration testing expert specializing in Web application testing, has released proof-of-concept code and rigged PDF files to demonstrate how the Adobe Reader program could be used to initiate attacks without any user action.
  43. "Security Updates available for Adobe Reader and Acrobat versions 9 and earlier". adobe.com. Adobe Systems. 19 February 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
  44. "Vulnerability Note VU#905281". US-CERT. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 23 February 2009. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  45. "Security Advisory for Adobe Reader and Acrobat". Adobe Systems.
  46. "Security Advisory for Adobe Reader and Acrobat". Adobe Systems.
  47. "Adobe Releases Security Updates for Acrobat, Reader, and Digital Editions". United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team.
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