Foxit Reader 3.3 offers extra security

Opening PDF (portable document format) files in the new version of Foxit Reader should be a safer experience than before, the software's makers claim.

Foxit Reader 3.3 has a built-in function that prevents PDF files that you open from carrying out any functions that could expose your computer to attack.

The free software, now available on the Windows platform, can prevent a malicious PDF file from connecting to the web or activating scripts that could harm your PC, the company claims.

"Secure Trust Manager enables users to allow or deny unauthorized actions and data transmission, including URL connection, attachments PDF actions, and JavaScript functions; efficiently avoiding the attack from malicious content and viruses," Foxit said in a statement.

FoxIt is an alternative to the most commonly used PDF reader, Adobe Reader, which has suffered a number of security scares in recent months.

However, Foxit hasn't been immune from security issues itself and the additional features in version 3.3 look to be a move to help reassure users that it is safe.

The company also claims that its free software has other advantages over the market leader. Though technically you can't edit PDF documents using Foxit Reader 3.3, you can make annotations on a document, which is not possible using Adobe Reader.