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Edited by Chris, Teresa, BR, Anuj_Kumar1 and 3 others

Do you need to send a PDF document by email that is so secure it needs a password? Learn how to send one, by following the directions in this article

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Edit Steps

  1. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 1.jpg
    1
    Open your version of Adobe Acrobat.
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  2. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 2.jpg
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    Ensure that your Tasks toolbar is enabled. It should be, by default. (In newer version of Acrobat, you may find "tools" pane on the right hand side).
  3. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 3.jpg
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    Locate and click the Secure button. The Secure button has an icon with a Masterlock-like icon to the left hand side of the word. (In newer version of Acrobat, you may choose "Protection">"More Protection" button from tools pane.
  4. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 4.jpg
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    Click the "Create Security Envelope".
  5. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 5.jpg
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    Click the "Add File to Send" button.
  6. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 6.jpg
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    Locate your files to send to the recipient. You can add multiple files to your submission.
  7. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 7.jpg
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    Click the "Next" button to move on to the next step.
  8. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 8.jpg
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    Choose an available envelope template to use. This makes things just a little more secure.
  9. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 9.jpg
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    Click the "Next" button to move on to the next step.
  10. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 10.jpg
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    Choose a delivery time (now or later) to let the Adobe Acrobat program know when to send the email.
  11. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 11.jpg
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    Click the "Next" button to move on to the next step. This should take you to a dialog page asking you if you want to set up a password or not.
  12. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 12.jpg
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    Click the "New Policy" button, if you'd like to make this super-secure. This will open up a new dialog box with all the options you'll need. The easiest way is to set one up with just a password.
  13. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 13.jpg
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    Click the "Next" button to move on to the next step.
  14. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 14.jpg
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    Type a new policy name and description into the appropriate boxes.
  15. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 15.jpg
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    Click the "Next" button to move on to the next step.
  16. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 16.jpg
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    Locate the box to the right of the "Attachment/Document Open Password".
  17. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 17.jpg
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    Type a new password into the box. And remember this password. You'll need to tell the recipient in another (preferably offline) form this password, for them to open the attachment.
  18. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 18.jpg
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    Click the "Next" button to move on to the next step.
  19. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 19.jpg
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    Retype the password on the box that comes up (for verification).
  20. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 20.jpg
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    Click the "OK" button when finished retyping.
  21. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 21.jpg
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    Click Finish, once you feel you've made all appropriate changes.
  22. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 22.jpg
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    Your new policy will appear in the list. Select your policy and click next.
  23. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 23.jpg
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    Fill in your ID and details in the next window, and click next. You may check the checkbox "Do not show again", if you want to avoid filling these details in future.
  24. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 24.jpg
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    Finally click finish to finish creating security envelope.
  25. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 25.jpg
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    Wait for your email program to load. Type in the appropriate email addresses into the recipient and subject boxes.
  26. Create a Password Protected PDF Document in Adobe Acrobat (Using a Security Envelope) Step 26.jpg
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    Send the email with document as attachment.
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Edit Tips

  • This option isn't available on the free version of Acrobat Reader. it's only available to users of the real Adobe Acrobat program.
  • Since all Adobe Acrobat programs differ (some have added more visually-appealing steps), these steps are for Adobe Acrobat 8 users.
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Edit Warnings

  • Adobe Acrobat will only allow you to send the email if you use either Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express or Windows Mail. It can't connect to any other program to send. If you use something it can't connect to (such as Windows LIVE Mail), it'll display a dialog box telling you this

Edit Things You'll Need

  • Adobe Acrobat software
  • file that needs to be converted and sent via a secure PDF file
  • computer mouse and keyboard

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Edit Sources and Citations

  • Adobe Acrobat 8: Classroom in a Book. Berkeley, CA: Adobe, 2006. Print.

Article Info

Categories: Using PDF Files | Adobe Acrobat

Recent edits by: Denda benda, Carolyn Barratt, Anuj_Kumar1

In other languages:

Español: Cómo crear una contraseña protegida en un documento PDF de Adobe Acrobat (usando sobres de seguridad)

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