In this article, you'll add protection to your file so that no one can change its contents and so that unauthorized users can't open and use the file.

1. Choose File > Open, and open this file, SBR_Logo.pdf. Click OK to close the Adobe Picture Tasks dialog box.

2. Choose File > Save As, and name the file SBR_Logo1.pdf and save it.

3. Click the Secure button on the Acrobat toolbar, and choose Show Security Settings for This Document.

No security at all has been applied to this file. You'll first choose the type of security to add.

4. From the Security Method menu, choose Password Security. The Password Security Settings dialog box opens automatically.

First you'll set the compatibility level. The default compatibility level is compatibility with Acrobat 5 or later. If you're sure that all your users have Acrobat 5 or later, this compatibility level is the preferred setting. If you think that some of your users may still be running Acrobat 4, then you should select Acrobat 3 and later. Be aware, however, that this is a lower encryption level.

5. Select your compatibility level from the Compatibility menu. We used Acrobat 5 and later.

6. Check the box for the Require a Password to Open the Document option, and then type in your password. We typed in SBRLogo. You'll share this password with anyone who you want to be able to open the document. Remember that passwords are case-sensitive.

Now you'll add a second password that controls who is allowed to change printing, editing and security settings for the file.

7. Under Permission, check the box for the Use a Password to Restrict Printing and Editing of the Document and Its Security Settings, and type in a second password. We typed in SBRPres.

Note: Your open password and permissions password can't be the same.

8. From the Printing Allowed menu, choose whether to allow printing at all, printing at low resolution or printing at high resolution. We chose Low Resolution (150 dots per inch).

9. From the Changes Allowed menu, choose the type of changes you will allow users to make. We chose Commenting, Filling in Form Fields, and Signing Existing Signature Fields, to allow users to comment on the logo.

10. Click OK to apply your changes.

11. In the first dialog box, re-enter the Open Password. We entered SBRLogo. Then click OK, and click OK again to clear the alert box.

12. In the second dialog box, re-enter the Permissions Password. We entered SBRPres. Then click OK, and click OK again to clear the alert box. Notice that the actions available to users don't appear to have changed. But if you click the Show Details button, you'll see the limitations applied.

13. Click OK and OK again to exit the Document Properties dialog box.

14. Click File > Save to save your work and apply the security changes.

15. Choose File > Close to close the SBRLogo1.pdf file. Now you'll check the security that you've added to your file.

Opening a password-protected file

1. Choose File > Open and re-open the SBRLogo1.pdf file in the Lesson11 folder. You're prompted to enter the required password to open the file.

2. We entered SBRLogo, and clicked OK. Then click OK to clear the Adobe Picture Tasks dialog box. Now you'll test the Permissions Password.

3. Click the Secure button on the toolbar, and choose Show Security Settings for This Document from the menu.

4. In the Document Properties dialog box, try changing the Security Method from Password Security to No Security. Acrobat prompts you to enter the Permissions password.

5. We entered SBRPres and clicked OK and then OK again. All restrictions are now removed from the file.

6. Click OK to close the Document Properties dialog box.

7. Choose File > Close, and close the file without saving the changes.

Pages 362-366 excerpted from "Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Classroom in a Book" Copyright © 2005. Used with the permission of Pearson Education Inc. and Peachpit.

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