You can prevent users from printing, editing, or copying content in a PDF file by specifying the permissions so that users cannot make changes to restrictions without the correct password.

Note: most PDF applications enforce the restrictions set by the Permissions Password. However, not all third-party products fully support and respect these settings. Recipients using such third-party products might be able to bypass some of the restrictions you have set.

 

  1. Open a PDF file and do any of the following:

    • To add a password to a single PDF or a component of a PDF Portfolio (double-click to view the file in the PDF Portfolio), you can choose Security > Encryption > Encryption > Interactive Password or Document Properties/Preferences > Document Properties…. (File > Properties > More Properties). In the Document Properties dialog box, on the Security tab, select Password Security from the Security Method drop-down menu.

    • To secure an entire Portfolio with a password, choose File > Document Properties…. In the Document Properties dialog box, on the Security tab, select Password Security from the Security Method drop-down menu.

  1. Upon receiving a prompt, click Yes to allow changing the security settings.

  2. In the Password Security dialog box, define the compatibility and specify the document components to encrypt. In the Permissions area, select Set a permissions password to restrict editing of security settings. This checkbox is unavailable if the option Encrypt only file attachments is selected.

  3. Type the password in the Permissions Password field.

  4. Specify what the recipient can print from the Printing permitted drop-down menu:

    • None. Select to prevent users from printing the document.

    • Low Resolution. It allows users to print at no higher than 150-dpi resolution. This option is available only when the compatibility is set to PDF 1.4 and later (128-bit).

    • High Resolution. It allows users to print at any resolutions and get a clear copy of the PDF file.

  1. Select what the recipient can change from the Changes permitted drop-down menu:

    • None. Select to prevent users from making any changes to the PDF.

    • Creating, inserting, deleting, and rotating pages. Select to allow users to create, insert, delete, and rotate page or page thumbnails. It also allows creating new bookmarks. This option is available only when the compatibility is set to PDF 1.4 and later (128-bit).

    • Filling in form fields and signing signature fields. This option allows users to fill in forms and add digital signatures. However, they cannot create form fields or add comments. The option is not available if the compatibility is set to PDF 1.4 and later (128-bit).

    • Commenting, filling in form fields, and signing signature fields. This option allows users to add comments and digital signatures, and fill in forms while it doesn’t allow creating form fields.

    • Any except extracting pages. This option allows users to edit the document, add comments and digital signatures, and create form fields. However, extracting pages is not allowed.

  1. Choose any of the following and then click OK:

    • Enable copying of text, images, and other content. This option allows users to copy the contents of a PDF. This option is available only when the compatibility is set to PDF 1.4 and later (128-bit).

    • Allow accessibility (screen readers can access text for the visually impaired). This option allows visually impaired users to read the document with screen readers that can access the text of a document.

  1. Click OK.  At the prompt to confirm the password, retype the password in the Permissions Password field and then click OK.

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