How to Encrypt your PDF files with Adobe Acrobat

PDF files have become as commonplace as MS office files. Sometimes sensitive information is on these files and one needs to be able to protect the files from unauthorized users. Read on to find out how to protect your PDF files in adobe acrobat.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Adobe Acrobat standard orPro.
• PDF file with sensitive data.
• PC or a MAC

1. First run Adobe Acrobat.
2. Now go to the menu bar and select "Document".
3. Go down to the security option near the bottom in the "Document" drop down menu and select the "Restrict opening & Editing" option.
4. A new window should pop-up on your screen with the title "Password Security - Settings". You will be able to choose the compatibility settings (meaning which versions of acrobat can access the pdf file. I chose Adobe acrobat 5.0 and higher.
5. Next you will click on the box next to "Require password to open the document". You will now be able to enter your personal password for the Pdf file.
6. Once you have created your password click on "Ok" at the bottom. Adobe acrobat will now prompt you to confirm the password by typing it again.
7. Now that you confirmed your password, you will need to save your document for the password settings to initialize.
8. Go to the menu bar under "File" and select the save option of simply hit Ctrl & S.
9. After saving close the pdf file and open it again adobe should prompt you for a password.
10. PDF FILES ARE NOW SECURE!!!

Tips & Warnings

• Please note that I used Adobe acrobat 6.0 Pro for this article. Otehr versions will be similar as long as they are the standard or pro version not Acrobat reader.
• Also keep in mind that there are other pdf reading and editing programs besides adobe's and that the encryption may be bypassed by another program. Please refer to the help section in adobe in the menu bar for more info.