Foxit Reader
| Foxit Reader / Foxit MobilePDF | |
|---|---|
| Basic data
|
|
| developer | Foxit Corporation |
| Current version | 10.0.0.35798 ( Windows ) May 6, 2020 4.0 ( macOS ) 2.4.4 ( Linux ) 7.3.0.0424 ( Android ) 7.3 ( iOS ) |
| operating system | Windows , macOS , Linux , Android , iOS , ( Citrix -capable with app) |
| category | Application program |
| License | Freeware |
| German speaking | Yes |
| www.foxitsoftware.com/de/products/pdf-reader | |
Foxit Reader is a freemium software for Windows , macOS and Linux for displaying PDF files and thus an alternative to the widely used Adobe Reader . For all devices with Windows 10 and smartphones and tablet computers with the Android or iOS operating systems there are separate versions under the name Foxit MobilePDF .
The program is being developed by the California- based company Foxit Corporation . It achieved greater awareness especially after the release of version 6 of Adobe Reader, which was criticized by many users because of the long loading times of plug-ins that are rarely needed . Unlike z. B. Sumatra PDF , however, Foxit Reader is not open source .
properties
Foxit Reader runs under Windows from Vista , up to version 4.x also from Windows 2000. There are also variants for OS X and Linux. In contrast to Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader does not need to be installed, which is why it is suitable for running on removable media .
In addition, it now offers significantly more functions than Adobe Reader.
A free plug-in is required to display embedded images compressed in JPEG 2000 format . The Foxit Reader itself is only free from version 4.
Functions
A feature known as FreeType makes it possible to insert text anywhere in a PDF document, even if the “fill out form” function was not provided by the creator. Various tools for commenting and processing text are also offered. Text passages can be marked, underlined, crossed out or hidden. It is also possible to insert comment fields, figures, measurement or freehand lines. Another special feature is the ability to convert PDF files into plain text and save them. From version 2.1 Foxit Reader can also integrate form functions (input and selection fields) into existing PDF documents.
Changes can either be saved directly in the PDF or in a separate change file, which makes it easier for different people to edit a document. Another editor needs the original file and can then import the change file, make further changes, export them and send them on. In this way, it is possible to work together on very large documents without having to send them in full each time.
Advertisements that are displayed after starting the application can be switched off permanently under Settings → General .
Browser plug-in
Just like Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader offers a browser plug-in with which PDF documents from the web can be viewed immediately in the browser window if desired. The program is integrated into the browser if Foxit Reader has been selected as the standard program for PDF files.
Portable app
The Foxit Reader is also available as a portable app , with which PDF files can be viewed and annotated on different computers , even from a removable storage medium , without further adjustments or setup ( installations ) .
Problem indications
In its eventful history, security problems of the Foxit reader have become notable. So be with potentially unwanted programs such as with version 6.1.4, the Foxit installer OpenCandy been bundled the browser hijacking - malware Conduit installed. These malicious programs were only removed with version 6.2.1 following user complaints.
In July 2014, the computer security-related Internet Storm Center reported that the mobile version for the iPhone was forwarding unencrypted telemetry and other data to remote servers in China, although users allegedly tried to prevent this data collection.
With version 10, PDF creation in Foxit Reader is no longer available.
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Foxit Reader - Version History .
- ↑ Security updates available for Foxit PhantomPDF Mac and Foxit Reader for Mac 4.0 , May 6, 2020.
- ↑ Security updates in Foxit Reader 2.4.4 , released September 18, 2018.
- ↑ Installation page for Android at play.google.com , accessed April 14, 2020.
- ↑ Preview page for iOS at apps.apple.com , accessed on April 14, 2020 (partly in English).
- ↑ Contact at foxitsoftware.com, accessed on March 17, 2016 (English).
- ↑ What's New in Foxit Reader 4.0? ( Memento of July 2, 2010 in the Internet Archive ).
- ^ Daniel Wesemann: App "telemetry". In: InfoSec Handlers Diary. SANS Institute , July 22, 2014, accessed May 8, 2020 .
- ↑ PDF creation is no longer available in Foxit Reader 10.0. www.foxitsoftware.com, accessed May 13, 2020 .