How to Change the Security on PDF Files
When you create PDF files in Adobe Acrobat, you can limit access to other people by creating a password for the document. You can only change the security if the document is not already signed. You can use passwords to prevent a document from being opened or to place restrictions on the features of the document. These are known as a "Document Open" password and a "Permissions" password. If the document has both types of passwords set, you can open the document with either password, but you need the permissions password to make any changes to restricted features. If you are the administrator of a PDF file, follow these steps to change the security of your document.
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Instructions
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Open your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
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From the "Advanced" menu, choose "Security." Select "Encrypt with Password."
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Select the compatibility level. Make sure the encryption level is equal to or lower than the version of Acrobat or Reader your recipients have. Select which parts of the document will be encrypted.
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Select the type of password you want to add. Type the password you want to create. If you are creating a Permissions password, select the level of access to features of the document.
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If you want the recipients to be able to copy parts of the document, click "Enable Copying of Text, Images, and Other Content."
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Click "OK." To confirm each password, retype it and click "OK."
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Tips & Warnings
You must use Adobe Acrobat to change the security of a PDF File. If you only own Adobe Reader, the features you can edit are restricted. Adobe Reader is meant for viewing PDFs; you need Acrobat to make any substantial changes to a document.
To remove security from a PDF file, select "Advanced. Click "Security." Choose "Remove Security." In the Security tab of the dialog box, choose "No Security" in the "Security Method" menu. If you only had a "Document Open" password, click "OK" to remove it. If you had a "Permissions" password, type the password in the "Enter Password" box. Click "OK." Click "OK" again to confirm it.
