NotesToPaper PDF can set a number of security properties for PDF files and can use passwords to encrypt PDF files. The following section discusses the options in detail and explains what they mean and how they can be used.

 

 

Security Settings

 

The parameter "Security" for the command NTPExportReport permits the following options to be set, which allow or disallow certain operations with PDF files:

 

Editing the document

This option stipulates whether or not the user may edit the contents of a PDF file.

 

Printing the document

This option specifies if a PDF file may be printed or not. If this option is not set, then the file may only be opened and seen in a viewer.

 

Content copying

This option determines if the contents (text and graphics) of a document may be copied to the Windows clipboard and pasted to other applications.

 

Comments and form fields

This option stipulates if the contents of a PDF file can be annotated and if form fields contained in the document may be edited and/or "filled in".

 

These options are deactivated by default, thus allowing the respective PDF file options to be performed (value "1"). Should you wish to activate a certain security property (i.e. prohibit or disallow the related option), you must assign "0" to the respective parameter (see NTPExportReport).

 

Important Note on Security Settings: The preset security options must be managed by the tool used to view a given file. This tool has to ensure that the security settings are handled correctly after a password is entered.

 

 

Encryption and Encryption Levels

 

There are two passwords used for encrypting PDF documents:

- Owner password (for the author of the document)

- User password (for the viewer of the document)

 

The master password is required for encryption. The user password is optional.

 

The master password is for the document's author and gives him or her access to the entire document including the authority and ability to change the security settings. The user password defines what recipients can do with the document as stipulated by the security settings.

 

These passwords are used to encrypt a PDF file. One can choose between a 40-bit and 128-bit encryption level (default is 128 bit).

 

 

Note: If a document is 128bit encrypted, then this document is ledgible for Acrobar Reader versions 5 or higher only. This encryption level is not supported before version 5.

 

 

Note: In the event that no password is specified when the security settings above are activated, then a password will be generated automatically and used for encrypting the file. If this occurs, it will be impossible for you to later change or modify the file, since you will not know what the password is. You should always assign a password whenever you activate the security settings.

 

The user password may be set to the following values:

 

Empty user password: The user will not be asked to enter a password. Usage will, however, be restricted to that allowed by the security settings as set by the author.

 

Master and user password are identical: The user will be asked to enter a password. The user can only use the document according to the predefined security settings. The author, however, cannot open the document to change the security settings.

 

User password is different from master password: The user will be asked to enter a password and can use the document in accordance with the predefined security options. The author can access the document using the master password and can change the security options.