PDF Encryption and Password Handling
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Security settings are important for protecting sensitive information in the PDF document. If the user encrypts and secures PDF files to prevent unauthorized access or to restrict sensitive operations, the user can choose what others can and cannot do with the PDF documents. The operations include document viewing, printing, editing, and copying, which can all be individually turned on or off, offering control in protecting sensitive information.

The PDF Security features of Black Ice PDF and ColorPlus Printer Drivers allow the following actions:

• Secure PDF documents using: 40-bit RC4 encryption (Acrobat 3.0 or later), 128-bit RC4 encryption (Acrobat 5.0 or later), 256-bit AES encryption (Acrobat 9.0 or later), or 256-bit AES encryption (Acrobat X or later)
• Restrict unauthorized users from viewing, printing, editing, and copying content from PDF files.
• Password-protected PDF files, which require users to enter a password to open or edit the file.

PDF Security settings can be configured under Control Panel > Devices and Printers > right-click on the Printer Driver > Printing Preferences > File Formats tab > click on the PDF Settings button > Security tab.

To set up the generation of password protected PDF documents, choose an option for how to provide a password for the printed document and select an encryption type from the Select encryption type dropdown menu. The following options are available:

• Prompt the User for Password

  During the printing process, the user will be prompted with the Encrypt with Password window to enter a password for the printed document and select the protection type of Viewing and Editing.

  

  Viewing (User level) – If set, the document can only be opened with the given password with limited access specified by the owner.

  Editing (Owner level) - If set, opening the document with the correct owner password allows complete access to the document. The printed document can be opened on user level without a password, but only with limited access specified by the owner.

  If encryption is enabled, but the password is not set, the PDF document will not be encrypted and no password will be required to open the document.

  NOTE: The password must be a maximum of 32 characters.

  
  

• Use the same passwords for every printed document

  If the Use the same passwords for every printed document option is selected, the user can provide passwords for different access levels on the Security tab, which will be used for every printed document.

  

  Password required to open the document (User level) - If set, the document can only be opened with the given password with limited access specified by the owner.

  Password required to edit the document (Owner level) - If set, opening the document with the correct owner password allows complete access to the document. The printed document can be opened on user level without a password, but only with limited access specified by the owner.

  If both user and owner level passwords are set, the document will be opened based on the level of password entered. If encryption is enabled, but no passwords are set, the PDF document will not be encrypted and no password will be required to open the document.

  NOTE: The password must be a maximum of 32 characters.

The following table lists the available options:

• Security Settings: These settings are enabled if the owner password is not empty.

• Allow users to print the PDF document: If this option is checked, the PDF document can be printed..

• Allow users to copy out text and graphics: If this option checked, users can copy/paste text and graphics from the PDF.

• Allow users to fill in form fields and modify comments: The form fields and the comments can be changed by the users in the PDF document.

• Allow users to change the PDF document: Allows the users to edit the contents of the pages, meta data and other settings of the PDF document