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Protection from editing but allow printing?

CandaceT
Registered: Dec 16 2011
Posts: 3
Answered

Hello,
 
I'm new to Acrobat pro X, and I am assuming there is a way to do this but can't find it. I created a PDF that is going to be shared and used by an NGO I was working with overseas, so they need to be able to print it, but I want to make sure that no one can copy or edit the material, is it possible to do this? Ie. I want to make sure my name stays attached to my work, as the author and contact information for me and not the organization isn't removed. I trust them just paranoid. I do not want a password blocking printing and that is the only way I have been able to find to block copying and changes to the material so I am hoping there is another way? Browsing this forum someone mentioned signing the document in passing so just any information you can give me would be great. Please be clear to and this is all new and I need step by step instructions.
 
Thank-you so much if anyone can help!!

gkaiseril
Expert
Registered: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 4307
You can set the "permissions" for the PDF but for general distribution you will need to use a password. You should be able to do this from the 'Properties' of the PDF.

What is currently being done by your NGO with respect to protecting content?

You should be aware that many 3rd party reader programs do not respect the Acrobat password security and it is possible with enough time to decrypt a PDF or break many encryption programs.

George Kaiser

CandaceT
Registered: Dec 16 2011
Posts: 3
What we are looking to disturbed is a pamphlet that just summarizes what we presented during the workshop so participants can remember key information. However, we don't have the budget to distribute them so the schools and groups we present at are going to be printing them for us since we are supplying everything else. Since so many different people are going to have access to the PDF I was hoping it could be printed without a password while still making it difficult for changes to the document to be made. I realize if someone really wants to have access to the information they can crack anything, just looking to make that as hard as possible without needing a password to print...
gkaiseril
Expert
Registered: Feb 23 2006
Posts: 4307
Accepted Answer
Please look at the Security screen. The "Permission" section is idependent of the "Open" password and allows one to select what can be done. The permissions available are listed in drop down boxes. You can set the level of printing as desired, set the editing to "None" and use a check box to enable copying. Security changes will not become effective until the PDF is saved and closed.

There is more information in the available through he Help menu option.

You might also want to keep an unprotected copy of the documents as a backup.

George Kaiser

CandaceT
Registered: Dec 16 2011
Posts: 3
Thank-you for your patience George. I understand now, I totally misread the password section. I now realize that it is for me and the other person does not need to enter it to print. I made this so much harder then it needed to be, and you are absolutely right!! Thank-you again for all your help :)