proof of word doc / outlook email being forwarded

Hi,

I'm in a "thinking more than usual" mode this week and have a question that could relate either to Word 2007 sp2 or Outlook (same version).

Lets say I send an email to someone with an attached word document through Outlook 2007. I don't want the mail to be forwarded or sent to anyone. Now I already have user rights management set up to stop this happening, however ....

Imagine I don't have URM and I just emailed an important document and then things seem to happen that relate to the possibility of that private document being forwarded to other people.

1. Is it possible to know if an email sent to one person has been forwarded to others'?

IF YES...

1. Would that information be given as an email name or an IP address?

2. Would it be a direct configuration in WORD or Outlook?

3. or would it be in the form of an addon?



Thank you.

If you have any more questions, please ask.



____

quick recap.
i send word doc in email
user receives
user forwards
i want proof that it has been forwarded

No!

Thank you for your informative, expediant and hmmmm .... concise answer. It was appreciated

Aren't e-mails just plain text? Word documents, photos, etc. would just be encoded in something like base64 so the binary content could be transmitted as text. Anyone can cut and paste that text at will.

You'd have to encrypt the whole package with something like ssl to stop in-route tapping. There is nothing you could do to stop the recipient forwarding the document to anyone they want. You wouldn't be aware that they have done so (apart from indirectly when they post the content on the web ).

Thank you,

Encrypting emails and protecting documents isn't too much of a problem. I just wanted proof that a (insert multiple expletives here) person has been forwarding private legal documents to third parties.

Ok, let's call this case closed. Thank you to everyone for your replies

You could tag each document you distribute to different people (inconsequential font or spacing changes). If you get hold of a leaked copy you could then check the tag to see who leaked it.

In reply to a post by john2007:

You could tag each document you distribute to different people (inconsequential font or spacing changes). If you get hold of a leaked copy you could then check the tag to see who leaked it.

or add the recipients name/initials in white font colour somwhere in the doc.

OK, I was getting to the point. There is nothing in email protocol/processes to do any such thing; the attachment type and its creator program is irrelevant. In some systems receipts may be sought for delivery or reading, but from thereon the recipient is free to do what he likes with it.

There's not much you can do. Even if you encrypt or password it, the recipient can always pass on the plaintext.

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

In reply to a post by john2007:

You could tag each document you distribute to different people (inconsequential font or spacing changes). If you get hold of a leaked copy you could then check the tag to see who leaked it.

or add the recipients name/initials in white font colour somwhere in the doc.

A problem with that is it wouldn't help if all you have is a printed copy of the leak!

Actually, i'm thinking that is a good idea.
I know with word 2007 that if you press CTRL SHIFT and H you are able to enter some hidden text. There is no visual indication to show somethnig has been typed, ie no word or character count. The only way to see the hidden text is to then click on the formatting button on the paragraph section of the home ribbon.

wont solve everything but is a start