Document Sanitization

Removing metadata can potentially break formatting or corrupt the entire file; therefore, it is wise to create a backup copy prior to metadata removal.

- Microsoft Office products

Select "File" > "Info" > "Check for Issues" > "Inspect Document.

Check all boxes and cick "Inspect”.

Keep footnotes and do not temove this section. However, next to "Properties" click "Remove all'. This will delete most of the metadata, such as the username of the author. This is by no means a complete cleanse, but is an easy way to remove low hanging fruit.

- Adobe Acrobat

Click on "Tools" and under "Protect & Standardize" click "Redact. uncheck boxes next to any items that you do not want removed. When you click "Remove", anything with a check mark will be deleted permanently from your document.

changes are not applied until the next time you save the document. To do this, click "File", then "Save As".

- Metadata Anonymization Toolkit (https://github.com/jubalh/MAT)