The files in PDF format are the most used by users due to their standardization, it is compatible with almost any operating system and its security options. Adobe Reader lets you modify the security options of a PDF file to protect the information it contains.
Users can create Word, Excel or Power Point files and convert them to PDF to share with anyone and can choose the level of security they prefer. You can adjust the security parameters from preventing the file from being edited, to placing a password to open it.
A very useful alternative to protect confidential information from strangers. Setting the security options of a PDF file is very simple, accessing the security properties.
How to change the security properties of a file
- Open the PDF file you want to modify with the Adobe Reader application
- Click the View menu and then select the Tools option. Then select the Protect / Open option.
- New options will appear at the top of the application that will allow you to encode the file. Click Encrypt and select the Encrypt with password option
- A new window appears to confirm the new request and confirm the changes. Click the Yes button.
- In case you want the user to enter a password to be able to view the document, check the box Request a password to open the document . Enter the password you want .
- Set a password that is difficult to access to increase the security of the document. When you enter the password, a message will appear right next to it indicating if it is weak, medium, strong or ideal.
- If you want to protect the editing and printing of the document, select the Restrict editing and printing of the document check box.
- Then you can define more specific parameters of how the document can be printed and what changes users who have access to the file can make.
- A password is assigned again, but in this case to protect the file settings .
File compatibility settings
- After defining file security, at the bottom are Adobe’s compatibility settings. Depending on the type of encoding chosen, the file will be compatible to read in other versions of Adobe Reader for the end user. For example, if it is only supported up to Acrobat 6, a user with Acrobat 7 will not be able to open the PDF due to the type of encoding.
- Finally, having defined all the configuration parameters of the file, select the OK option.
- Save the file for the changes to take effect and the security parameters to be met.
Types of security passwords
Document opening password. It is the password that is requested from the end user who wants to see the document. The user must enter the password in order to open the PDF file.
Permissions password. This is the master configuration password for the file. It is the password that protects the permissions that the user has on the document. The permission password restricts the editing, printing and copying of the document content.
If a user has one of the two passwords they can open the file, but only if they have the password can they access the security settings. It is recommended to use the two passwords together.
Remove password security
- Open the document with Adobe Reader
- Select the Tools menu, the option Protect – More options and click on Remove security
- If the document only has a document open password, click the OK button to remove it.
- If the document has a permission password, enter it in the Enter password box and click on accept and confirm the request again.
In this way you already know how to protect your PDF file and remove the password when you consider necessary.
