PDF files can be created with or without security. Creating a secure PDF allows you to restrict what can be done with the contents of the file. For instance, you can allow people to read and print the file but not be able to copy any of the text or images out of the file.

Supported security options consist of two different levels of encryption, the ability to control what the viewer can do with PDF file, and two levels of password protection.

Use PDF Security

Select this checkbox to enable PDF security when creating PDF files.

Encryption Level

There are two Encryption options available that determine what version of Acrobat is needed to view the file.

•40-bit encryption - resulting PDF files can be opened in Acrobat 3.0 and later versions.

•128-bit encryption - resulting PDF files can be opened in Acrobat 5.0 and later versions.

Allow Users to

Depending on what you want viewers to be able to do with the PDF file you create, different permissions can be set to restrict what can and cannot be done.

•copy text and graphics - viewers will be able to select and copy the contents, such as text and images.

•print the document - viewers will be able to print the PDF document.

•change the document - viewers will be able to change the PDF, including inserting, deleting and rotating pages, adding or editing form fields, and document signing.

•add or change comments and form fields - viewers will be able to add and edit form fields and comments only; pages cannot be added or removed.