PDFs are widely used for sharing professional or business documents as they maintain a good consistency. Do you know why some PDF files do not allow you to copy text, make edits, or even print them? It is because they are secured PDF files that are locked down with restrictions for security and privacy. These files always need permissions or passwords to open the document. In today’s digital world, understanding how to save a secured PDF allows you to manage.
These restrictions effortlessly-whether you aim to unlock a file for formatting or resecure it before sending files to other users. This guide will walk you through the different methods to save a PDF as secured with or without a password and to lock PDF from editing while maintaining document accuracy efficiently.
What is a Secured PDF?
A secured PDF is a file that is protected with different types of restrictions to prevent access or actions such as copying, editing, or printing. It ensures that the document is safe and secure from unauthorized users so that they cannot access such PDF files. It avoids duplication or distribution of the document without permission. Many users use these security measures to grant and control limited permission over the document.
In this way, you can easily prevent actions like editing, copying, and printing on the PDF files. It is the best and unique technique to keep your documents protected from unwanted activities. Here are the different types of security mentioned below:
- Open Password (User Password)
It is a way to save a PDF as secured with the use of a password. In this user needs to enter a specific password to get access to their file, and these files can be opened only by those who have the right password. If someone tries to open the document with the incorrect password, they will not be allowed to access it at entirely.
- Permission Password (Owner Password)
It is the second most useful way to save a secure PDF as it allows users only to view the document but restricts them from performing specific functions like editing, copying, signing, printing, etc. In this user does not have any access to performing activities and needs permission from the owner to do so. These PDF files contain full control over the document.
Overall, you need to secure PDF files to prevent unauthorized actions like formatting of the document.
Why Save a PDF as Secured?
Now, the question is, why save a secured PDF. Here are the reasons:
- It is important to prevent unauthorized actions of other users, like copying, editing, printing, etc. It does not allow access to performing these actions if the PDF is secured.
- When you save a PDF as secured, it ensures safe file sharing and adds an extra layer of protection to your document in case it falls into the hands of an unknown user.
- Once secured your PDF document, your content will remain confidential, and no one can easily access your file.
- It also maintains the security and privacy of the PDF file, and there is no chance of data loss or being used by another user.
Now, you are aware of the benefits to save a PDF as secured, but you are wondering how to save a secured PDF. Below are the steps for your guidance.
How to Save a Secured PDF?
If you are looking to save a PDF as secured, then there are three ways by which you can easily protect your PDF file in simple and best techniques.
- Online software to save a PDF file.
- Adobe Acrobat Pro tool to protect PDF documents.
- Systools PDF Lock Software protects the PDF file securely.
Let’s understand these methods more elaborately and also know how to save a secured PDF without password.
#1 How to Save a PDF as Secured – Online Tools
Multiple online tools provide services to save PDF documents, like Smallpdf, SejdaPDF, or PDF2Go, which can easily allow you to protect and set permissions to save a secure file.These are available to protect the file from editing, copying, printing, etc.
It contains a simple interface that can be used by everyone without any installation of software
These tools are mainly useful for casual users who don’t need them regularly. Below are the steps to use these applications:
- Choose any Online PDF protection site.
- Browse your PDF from your device.
- Enter the password or set the permission for safety purposes.
- Select the Protect PDF option
- Finally, a secure PDF will be created.
Note: Online applications or free PDF protection tools do not provide any security or privacy to your document. It also contains file size limits and has limited storage, where there is a risk of data loss, and your data can also get leaked anytime or used by any other users as well.
#2 How to save a PDF as secured-Using Adobe Acrobat Pro Tool
This is a professional software designed to save a secured PDF files and make your documents password protected with the help of this tool. It does not allow users to add comments or do formatting in the file without having access to it. Now, some steps to use this software are given below:
- Install Adobe Acrobat Pro Software
- Choose File>Open and browse the PDF file from your device
- Select the Tools option
- Click on the Protect button in the top menu
- Select the ‘Encrypt’ or ‘Encrypt with Password’ option.
- Open Security settings a dialog box will appear.
- Click on “Require a password to open the document,” or select “Permissions” to restrict formatting.
- Choose a strong password and create a secure PDF file
- Save a secure PDF on your system.
Note: If you are using the above software, then you need to remember that this tool contains standard and subscription plans and allows a limited use of its features. Its subscription plans are also costly and not affordable to everyone. So, we don’t recommend using this type of solution, which is not appropriate.
#3 Use the SysTools PDF Lock Tool to Save a Secured PDF
If you are looking for a reliable and smooth-running software to save a PDF as secured document, then SysTools PDF Lock Software is the best tool designed for PDF protection. It is an all-in-one tool that secures your document from unwanted actions.
This tool provides many unique and standalone solutions to users to protect their files in an accurate and better way, with full privacy and security. There is no chance of data loss and no need to take premium plans for installing or using this software, as it provides a free demo to all users. Some simple steps are given below to help you understand how it works:
- Install the software on your device.
- Open the tool and add “Files” or “ Folders” that need to be protected.
- Put the PDF Passwords and Permissions Passwords to make your file secure.
- Once all restrictions are done, enter the password to lock the PDF.
- Select the Apply Document Open Password option to add a password for opening the file.
- Click on the Encryption Drop-down to select the encryption type option to secure the PDF from modification.
- Select the “Lock PDF” option.
- At last, a PDF-protected file will be created.
Why Choose SysTools PDF Lock Software?
- Professional & Trusted Tool: This software is the most powerful and reliable tool to save a secured PDF by providing its best solution to users and making PDF documents password protected.
- Batch Processing: It ensures quick and fast processing to maintain a PDF file without losing its originality and with structured data. There is no chance of data loss, and documents remain confidential with the help of this application.
- Levels of Security: This offers three levels of security to the users-password protection, owner password, and encryption, which helps to save a PDF as secured and also supports all versions of PDF fluidly.
Concluding Words
In this guide, we have learn how to save a secured PDF with the help of three different and amazing methods that allow you to make your PDF protected with or without password. It is necessary to choose the best online and offline method that suits your work appropriately and accurately. The most important thing is to make your PDF files safe and secure, so that you can keep your information confidential without compromising its integrity.