How to redact a PDF so the text is really gone

Step by step

1. Open the PDF and choose Redact

   From Tools choose Redact. Redaction is part of VARAK PRO.

2. Find personal data

   Choose Find Personal Data to list names, dates, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, IBANs and card numbers. IBANs and card numbers are checked by their checksums, not by keywords.

3. Mark what to remove

   Accept the suggestions you want, and draw redaction boxes over anything else.

4. Apply redactions

   Choose Apply. The content underneath is removed, including text, image pixels and drawings, not merely covered.

5. Save

   Save to make it permanent. Keep a copy of the unredacted original somewhere safe if you need it.

• Sanitize (VARAK PRO) additionally removes metadata, attachments and hidden layers.
• Check the result: after saving, the removed words cannot be found with search.