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How Do I Pre-scan a PDF Before Opening It In Mac Mail?

I’m trying to find a safe way to open a PDF, or attachment in Mac Mail as to avoid any malicious surprises.

OS X El Capitan, version 10.11.4 on a mac mini (late 2014)
Mail, version 9.3
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J. Jones

Comments: 3 Responses to “How Do I Pre-scan a PDF Before Opening It In Mac Mail?”

    8 years ago

    I can't think of any way to "pre-scan" a PDF.
    I don't know of any exploit for a Mac that uses a PDF and somehow causes trouble when you open it in Preview.
    Why are you suspicious?
    And, if you are suspicious of the source of the file, then just throw it away. I teach people to only download apps from sources they trust. This isn't an app, but you can follow the same rules. If you don't trust it, then don't open it.
    Of course, if you want to take that even further, you wouldn't be able to even view any websites either.

    J. Jones
    8 years ago

    Thanks for the quick reply.
    I'm pattern designing, and require the potential client to forward a PDF of their original garment design. Got stung once with crazy adware, which took me about an hour to remove.
    Just trying to play defense.

    8 years ago

    Adware from a PDF? On a Mac? Or was it a different situation?

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