What Does Secure PDF Mean?

The PDF format allows you to protect the data stored inside a file using various tools. Thus, a secured PDF is the one to which such protection tools have been applied. As a result, third-party users who do not have access cannot modify the content and, in some cases, even view it. It is especially handy when it comes to contracts, business proposals, and legal papers. Because of this high protection, signing secured PDF can be a real problem. If you have a password for the desired document, then you can work with it like any other file.

Types of Secure PDFs

The PDF format offers a certain degree of information security by default. You can view documents but cannot edit them without leaving traces of the changes. It is standard protection. There are also two ways to add extra protection. Both restrict access to information in files and reduce the number of people who can view and modify them.

Password

You can set a password for all or part of a document to protect data from viewing, copying, and editing. Partial protection is needed so that other users can, for example, enter information into fillable fields and sign a secured PDF. When creating a PDF document, you can adjust the protection levels. Other people cannot make changes to the file settings. At the same time, remember that the complete protection of information depends on the password’s reliability. To prevent attackers from getting around your restrictions, use complex combinations of letters and symbols that cannot be guessed.

Encryption

Encryption is a higher level of data protection. While dishonest users can utilize various optical recognition applications for password-protected PDFs, encryption completely deprives them of this opportunity. Use strong security certificates and decryption keys to prevent unauthorized users from viewing content. You can also use your own certificate; the main thing is not to lose it so as not to lose access to all protected files.

How to Sign Secure PDF

A PDF secured with a password or encryption is protected from unauthorized changes. It is done for a reason, so it is best to ask the document’s author for access. If you have the right password, then signing the file will not be difficult if you have the right software at hand. Here are the two easiest ways.

Method I

First of all, you can use the eSign PDF feature directly on the Create eSignatures platform:

1. Upload the document. Select the desired file from any folder on your device by clicking the “Upload Document” button or drag and drop it into the central field. You can also switch to the next tab and type the URL of the document you need.
2. Enter the password. After that, enter a password that protects the file from editing to gain access to the content and all editing tools.
3. Now you can sign this document. On the top toolbar in the left corner, find “Add Sign.” Click on the icon to bring up the Signature Wizard that will help you generate the signature. Adjust the size, select the type, and draw the signature. Paste the finished object at the selected location in your document.

Method II

Perhaps, you want to not only sign secure PDF but also add some other information to it. Then you need the PDFLiner editor, which offers an advanced set of tools for working with fillable templates and forms.

1. Create a PDFliner account. You can register in the system using your Google or Facebook profile or create an account from scratch using any email address.
2. Select and upload a PDF file. Login and download the desired document from your device’s library. You can also drag it from the folder to the download window or paste the file’s URL in the next tab.
3. Enter the password with which the file is encrypted. This way, you can view the document’s contents and work with it using the editor’s tools.
4. Choose how you want to sign. You can create your signature online (by typing or drawing it) or upload a photo.
5. Now you can sign your document. The created signature can be inserted anywhere in the file. It is also stored in your account for later use.

How to Make Secure PDF Unsecured

Signing a secured PDF with Create eSignatures or PDFLiner is really easy once you know the password. But what if you can’t find out? Here’s a quick guide on how to sign a document without a password:

1. Find and upload the protected PDF to your Google Drive. Open your account’s Drive, click the “+” button in the upper left corner, and select the “Upload Files” option from the drop-down list. An easier way is to drag and drop the desired document into Drive.
2. Open it with Google Docs. Right-click on your file, pick “Open With,” and then click Google Docs.
3. Save your document as a PDF on your computer. On the toolbar, find the “File” tab, click “Download,” and select the PDF option.
4. You now have an unprotected document, so sign it. The new file will not have the previous security settings, so you can use it like a common document and sign it if you like.

As you can see, the process of unsecuring a PDF does not require sophisticated software.

FAQ

You will find more information in this block if you still have questions about working with password-protected PDFs.