You can save the security settings you often use as a custom security scheme and use it later. Using security schemes, you do not have to re-enter passwords or re-add recipients every time you manage document security. If you often distribute files to the same recipients whenever you manage certificate-based security, you can save those recipients in a security scheme so that you can quickly apply the same security settings with just one click.

Create a new security scheme

  1. Open a PDF file and do any of the following to open the Security panel:

    • Choose Security > Encryption > Security Panel.

    • On the Sidebar Navigation pane, click Security Panel.

  1. Do the following to open the New Security Scheme dialog box:

    • In the Security panel, click the Create Security Scheme button.

    • Right-click anywhere inside the Security panel and choose Create Security Scheme from the menu.

  1. In General settings, type a name and description for the scheme. The option Save these settings as a scheme is greyed out if you create a new security scheme directly through the Security panel.

  2. In Appearance, you may select Use custom appearance and then click Select… to choose a file. Click Next >.

  3. In Security Type, specify whether to apply password-based security or certificate-based security and then click Next >:

    • Use password. You need to enter the correct password to open the document or change permissions settings.

      • Save password with scheme. Check to store a password with the security scheme you are creating. You need to enter either an Open Password or a Permissions password, or both to finish creating this scheme. If not selected, you will be prompted to specify passwords and permissions whenever you apply this security scheme.

    • Use public key certificates. It lets specified users access documents secured with certificates.

      • Ask for recipients when applying this scheme. To create a scheme that is associated with individual documents, select this option and you will be prompted to specify trusted identities when you attempt to apply this scheme. On the other hand, for a scheme that is associated with individual recipients, don’t select this option and you need to specify the trusted recipients to be saved to the scheme.

  1. This step varies depending on the type of security you choose:

    • If you choose Use password (password-based security), follow the instructions to restrict access and usage of certain functions. See Limit access to a PDF and Restrict PDF editing, printing, and copying.

    • If you choose Use public key certificates (certificate-based security), select document components to encrypt and a type of algorithm, and click Next >. If Ask for recipients when applying this scheme is not selected, please select recipients from the Trusted Contacts box and click Add>> to add them to the Recipients Click Next >.

  1. The Scheme Details area shows information of the security scheme you set. Click Finish to close the dialog.

View your security schemes

You can view existing security schemes in the Security panel that consists of two sections: Password Security and Certificate Security.

  1. Open a PDF file and do any of the following to open the Security panel:

    • Choose Security > Encryption > Security Panel.

    • On the Sidebar Navigation pane, click Security Panel.

  1. To view details of a scheme, right click on it and select Edit Security Scheme from options. In the Editing a Security Scheme dialog box, click Next > to go through all security settings you have set.

Apply a custom security scheme

  1. Open a PDF file and do any of the following to open the Security panel:

    • Choose Security > Encryption > Security Panel.

    • On the Sidebar Navigation pane, click Security Panel.

  1. In the Security panel, if necessary, you can click the Create Security Scheme button to create a new scheme or edit existing schemes. See Create a new security scheme.

  2. Do any of the following to apply the scheme to the document:

    • Right-click on an existing security scheme you want to apply to the document and select Apply Security Scheme.

    • Click the scheme and choose Security Scheme Option > Apply Security Scheme.

    • Double-click the scheme.

  1. Click Yes to change the security settings of the document.

  2. Click Save Now to apply the new security settings.

Edit a security scheme

You can edit the security settings of a security scheme using the Editing a Security Scheme dialog. However, you cannot change the security type of the scheme after it has already been placed under either password security or certificate security in the Security panel.

  1. In the Security panel, do any of the following to edit a security scheme:

    • Right-click a scheme and select Edit Security Scheme from the options.

    • Click to select a scheme and then choose Security Scheme Option > Edit Security Scheme.

  1. In the Editing a Security Scheme dialog box, make changes to general settings and other security settings.

  2. Click Finish to close the dialog box.

Copy a security scheme

You can also make a copy of an existing scheme and its scheme name will start with the phrase Copy of, e.g. [Copy of _(name of the scheme__)]. It copies all the settings and you are free to make any changes to the security settings of the copied version.

  1. In the Security panel, select a scheme to copy and do any of the following:

    • Right-click the selected scheme and select Copy Security Scheme from the options.

    • Click the selected scheme and choose Security Scheme Option> Copy Security Scheme.

  1. In the Editing a Security Scheme dialog box, Right PDF has already set a scheme name for the copied scheme, but you can still edit it at will. Then, click Next > to make any changes if needed.

  2. View details in the Scheme Details area and click Finish to close the dialog.

  3. The copy of the scheme is placed under the same security type in the Security panel.

Delete a security scheme

  1. In the Security panel, do any of the following to remove a scheme from the panel:

    • Click to select a scheme you want to delete and press Delete on your keyboard.

    • Right-click a scheme and select Delete Security Scheme from the options.

    • Click to select a scheme and then choose Security Scheme Option> Delete Security Scheme.

  1. Click OK to confirm you want to delete the security scheme.

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