Burn-After-Read PDF
Burn-after-read: documents that expire on their own
Some documents should only be accessible for a limited time or a limited number of views — not indefinitely. iGuardPDF's burn-after-read controls let a share link expire automatically, so you don't have to remember to revoke it yourself.
What burn-after-read means
Burn-after-read is a document-security concept where access to a file is automatically cut off once a condition is met — a number of views, a date, or both — rather than staying open indefinitely until someone manually revokes it.
On iGuardPDF, this is a setting on any Guarded share link: set a view limit, an expiry date, or a custom expiry down to the minute, and the link stops working the moment either threshold is hit. It works alongside manual revocation — you can still cut off access early if you need to, on top of whatever limit is already set.
Who needs burn-after-read
Time-boxed reviews
A draft contract or proposal that should only be viewable during a specific negotiation window.
One-time access documents
A file meant to be viewed once — a confidential briefing, a single-use credential document, a private note.
Recurring shares with strict timelines
Documents sent on a schedule where access should always expire automatically rather than relying on someone to remember to revoke it.
Compliance-driven retention limits
Situations where a document genuinely shouldn't remain accessible past a defined point.
The problem: links that stay open forever by default
A typical share link, once created, stays live until someone remembers to go back and revoke it — which, in practice, often doesn't happen. Weeks or months later, a link that should have expired is still technically accessible to anyone who has it.
Burn-after-read removes the dependency on remembering. The expiry is set once, at the time the document is shared, and enforced automatically from then on.
How burn-after-read works
View limit
Set the maximum number of times the link can be opened before it stops working.
Expiry date
Set a date after which the link no longer opens, regardless of how many times it's been viewed.
Custom expiry down to the minute
For tighter windows than a full day, set an exact expiry time.
Combine with manual revocation
Burn-after-read limits don't replace manual revocation — you can still cut off access early at any point. See /revoke-pdf-access.
Pairs with fingerprinting
Even a burned link's document remains individually fingerprinted if a copy was saved before expiry — see /document-fingerprinting.
Common use cases
- →Sharing a contract draft that expires the moment the negotiation deadline passes.
- →Sending a one-time-view confidential briefing document.
- →Setting a review copy of a design file to expire after a client feedback window closes.
- →Limiting a shared statement to a single view for identity-verification purposes.
Frequently asked questions
What is burn-after-read document security?
It's a control that automatically cuts off access to a shared document once a set condition is met — a view limit, an expiry date, or both — rather than leaving the link open indefinitely.
Can I set both a view limit and an expiry date?
Yes. Set either or both — whichever condition is hit first stops the link from working.
Can I still revoke a burn-after-read link early?
Yes. Burn-after-read limits are automatic expiry conditions, not a replacement for manual revocation — you can revoke the link yourself at any point before the limit is hit.
What happens after the link expires?
The link stops working immediately — anyone trying to open it after the view limit or expiry date is reached is blocked.
Related
Revoke PDF Access
Cut off access manually, anytime — even before a burn-after-read limit is hit.
Secure Document Sharing
The full set of controls available on a Guarded share link.
Document Fingerprinting
Trace a copy saved before a burn-after-read link expired.
PDF Leak Protection
How expiry controls fit into a broader leak-response strategy.
Set your next document to expire on its own
Add a view limit or expiry date to any Guarded share link.
See Pro features