Security

You can use Password security in Acrobat to encrypt your PDF (the compatibility level determines the encryption algorithm). This password can then be shared with others.
For a more secure method you can use Certificate security; however, all users must obtain a Digital ID.

Ikassuba, Thanks for your quick response!

Is the following sequence correct?
1) Open the .pdf document.
2) Under the Advanced tab, select Security - Password Encrypt.
3) Input the Password
4) Email the document to the recipient.
5) Give the recipient the password to open the document with their Acrobat Reader.

My understanding is that the document is encrypted and a password unencrypts the document?

Also, what is the difference between Password Encrypt and Certificate Encrypt?

Thanks again, Ray

Yes, that's the procedure. Password Securityis a simple way to secure information and the exact encryption algorithm that is used is determined by compatibility version of Acrobat you select. Earlier versions of Acrobat used different models (i.e., Acrobat 4 used 40-bit RC4 whereas Acrobat can use 128-bit RC4 or 128-bit AES).
Certificate Security doesn't use a password instead it uses a Digital ID and provides a higher level of security, eliminates the need for password sharing, and allows assigning different permissions to different users whose identities can be verified and managed. It is supported by Acrobat 6.0 and later.