Encrypting the PDF ensures that only users with the relevant password can access its content. Adobe Acrobat DC offers both encryptions by Password and Certificates. Both encryptions by password and by certificate differ as explained below:
What Does it Mean to Encrypt With a Password in Adobe Acrobat
Password encryption is one of the most common ways to protect a PDF. This method requires the PDF owner to lock the PDF and create a unique password. After the PDF gets to other users, they will require to use the password to unlock the file. While this method may seem secure, it also has its demerits. When you don’t set a strong password, people can easily guess or crack the weak one easily. Hackers may also utilize free password recovery programs to access the PDF. If you must use password encryption, ensure you set a strong password and send the PDF over a secure server.
Enabling Password Encryption in Adobe Acrobat
Here’s how to enable password encryption on Adobe Acrobat: Step 1: On your PC, click on the Start menu and search for Adobe Acrobat.
Step 2: Click on Open to launch the Adobe Acrobat app from the results.
Step 3: After the app launches, click on the Tools tab.
Step 4: Scroll down the Tools Page to the Protect & Standardize group.
Step 5: Click on the Open button beneath Protect.
Step 6: Click the Select a File button.
Step 7: Browse to the PDF file you want to enable password encryption and click Open.
Step 8: On the Adobe Acrobat Ribbon, click on the drop-down beside Advanced Options.
Step 9: From the menu, click on Encrypt with Password.
Step 10: Click Yes on the ‘Applying New Security Settings’ dialog box to launch Password Security Settings.
Step 11: Under the Document Open group, tick the box beside ‘Require a password to open the document.’
Step 12: Within the Document Open Password field, provide your password. Ensure you pay attention to the password strength bar.
Step 13: Scroll down to the end of the Password Security Settings page and click OK to save your changes.
Step 14: Input your new password into the dialog box and click OK to confirm it.
What Does it Mean to Encrypt With a Certificate in Adobe Acrobat
Certificate encryption is the second protection option on Adobe Acrobat. Through certificate encryption, a certificate is generated on a PDF and creates public and private keys. You may disclose the public key to other users to encrypt your information. You shouldn’t disclose a private key since it is to be used to decrypt information. Only the intended recipient with the public key will access the file’s contents. While certificate encryption is more secure than password encryption, it utilizes a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) system. This system requires a certificate management directory and digital ID, which the average user may not have.
Enabling Certificate Encryption in Adobe Acrobat
Here’s how to enable password encryption in Adobe Acrobat: Step 1: On your PC, click on the Start menu and search for Adobe Acrobat.
Step 2: Click on Open to launch the Adobe Acrobat app from the results.
Step 3: After the app launches, click on the Tools tab.
Step 4: Scroll down the Tools Page to the Protect & Standardize group.
Step 5: Click on the Open button beneath Protect.
Step 6: Click the Select a File button.
Step 7: Browse to the PDF file you want to enable password encryption and click Open.
Step 8: On the Adobe Acrobat Ribbon, click on the drop-down beside Advanced Options.
Step 9: From the menu, click on Encrypt with Certificate.
Step 10: On the Certificate Security Settings page, choose between saving your settings as a policy or discarding them after application.
Step 11: Scroll down the page and click on the Next button.
Step 12: Click on the digital ID you would like to use to encrypt the PDF and click OK.
Step 13: To select the intended recipients of the file, click on Search.
Step 14: Provide the name and email address of the recipients and click on Search.
Ensure you include your name and email address in the intended recipients so you can also have access in the future. Step 15: Click Next to review all your choices.
Step 16: Click Finish to save your changes.
Validating Digital Signatures Using Adobe Acrobat
By using certificate encryption, the digital identity of the intended PDF recipient will have to be verified before they can open the file. You can do the same for digital signatures on Adobe Acrobat. By validating digital signatures, you can confirm that the documents are genuine.
