What is PDF Owner Password? How to Remove It – Quick Guide
In the digital sphere, PDFs are becoming a ubiquitous medium for sharing information, such as contracts and business reports. It is among the excellent document formats for protecting the layout or formatting. However, sharing the PDFs without security leads to data compromise. It highlights the need for a PDF Owner Password. Follow this complete guide to discover what the owner password is, why it is used, and how to apply or remove the protection. So, let’s dive into understanding the mode of security.
What is Owner Password for PDF Document?
PDF Owner Password, also known as security, is commonly referred to as the permissions password that allows creators to control actions. It provides owners with the authority to set permissions on what viewers can do with PDF documents. This way, creators can save the entire document from tampering, misuse, or compromise.
The owner’s security focuses on actions such as content editing, page printing, content copying, document assembly, etc. Moreover, it allows users to make read only PDF, thereby reducing the risk of data loss or unauthorized external usage. Sharing unprotected PDFs can heighten the danger of exposing confidential information.
Below is the breakdown of the types of PDF file owner password or permissions:
- PDF Printing Restriction: This protection controls access to page printing. Besides this, the owners can set both low and high resolution printing to disable the print action.
- PDF Editing Security: This protection limits viewers from editing content, including deleting, adding, or removing pages. Hence, viewers can only view the information.
- Content Extraction or Copying Protection: It ensures whether users can copy content from a PDF or not. Moreover, it prevents viewers from copying or repurposing the content without the legitimate owner’s permission.
- Filling Restriction: In addition to the above permissions, owners can set a restriction on form filling. In other words, it stops viewers from modifying the fillable fields.
- PDF Commenting Permissions: This PDF owner permission disables the action of commenting or highlighting the text. Here, you might face issues like can’t highlight text in a PDF document.
Overall, these are types of PDF file owner passwords. The other protection includes singing, page extraction, insertion, and assembly. Moreover, the owner’s password protects the PDF content when sharing over digital platforms.
Difference Between PDF Owner Password and User Password
PDFs primarily offer two modes of protection, namely owner or user password security. Both protections have different purposes or user cases. Many of you may be confused about the difference between PDF security and data security. Below is the overview of the modes of PDF protection:
- PDF User or Open Document Password
To protect PDF with password, the user’s or open document password plays an inevitable role. This security safeguards the whole document from direct access. Moreover, it prevents users from opening or accessing the content without entering the legitimate password. Hence, creators define a strong password to secure the confidential PDF file.
- When to Apply User Password:
a) If the document contains highly sensitive information, such as bank details or financial records.
b) Personal documents or other business reports require security before sharing them online.
- PDF Owner Password or Permissions
The owner password is a set of permissions that controls the actions. It is different from user protection. Here, users can open the document, but can’t perform the specific actions. It mainly includes document copying, adding, modifying, etc.
- When to Apply the Owner Password:
a) If you want to share or sell the eBook or research paper online, apply the owner’s password to secure the content from copying.
b) To control the action of commenting, adding, or extracting the data, this protection is highly recommended.
In summary, the uses of both protections depend on the need and confidentiality of the document. Now, let’s thoroughly understand owner permissions.
When to Apply PDF Owner Password or Permissions?
Applying the owner password is the right practice for controlling the viewer’s actions. In other words, owners can ensure that anyone can view the data without actually modifying it. Moreover, this security focuses on users’ actions and provides complete control to the owners. So, use the owner permissions to safeguard the content. Below are the benefits of using the owner permissions on PDF:
- To send a protected file, creators can apply an owner password to ensure the data remains unaltered. Viewers can only access or read the content, but not make any changes or repurpose it.
- If the document contains confidential information, such as client details or fillable forms, applying owner security limits the user’s interaction when sharing the PDF files.
- Without the owner’s password, anyone can repurpose content, extract images, and misuse the information. Using the owner protection lets users secure the PDF from direct accessibility.
What is Owner Password for PDF Document?
If you’re wondering what is my PDF owner password, there are simply two ways. Using these methods, you can instantly find the PDF owner password. Follow the steps below:
- If you’re the creator, you can control the permissions. Moreover, users can check the types of protection using the Adobe Acrobat Reader tool.
- If you’re not the actual owner, then ask the document creator to provide either credentials or disable the security from the PDF document.
How to Find Owner Password for PDF? (If You Have)
To know the owner’s password, you can use the Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is a popular yet professional solution to review the types of PDF owner passwords. Below are the quick steps to follow:
- Start by opening the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Move to the File feature and then, tab Properties.
- Review the Document Restriction Summary under the feature of Security. Here check:
- Print: Allowed or not allowed
- Editing: Allowed/ not
- Copying: Enable or not.
If all actions are disabled, request legitimate access from the owners. However, there is no owner password, so follow the guide to enable the protection.
How to Set PDF Owner Password Securely?
If you’re looking for the techniques to apply the owner password to a PDF document, try SysTools PDF Locker, it is among the cutting-edge yet reliable software for applying the owner security. This independent and robust tool allows users to custom add a PDF Owner Password in one go. In other words, it allows you to set permissions like content editing, repurposing, copying, printing, and more.
Moreover, it is an all-in-one utility for everyone. Whether you’re a professional, businessperson, or researcher, the software has all the features required to enable owner security. The tool’s highlights include a simple dashboard, batch processing, and an offline utility. Additionally, it meets the privacy standards while preventing the chances of leakage. Steps to set the owner password:
- Firstly, start by installing the SysTools-mentioned utility on your Windows or macOS.
- From the dual option: Add Files or Folders, pick any.
- Use the Change feature to browse the location > hit Next.
- Enable the checkbox of “Apply Document Restrictions” > disable all the actions.
- Finally, use the Lock button to set protection.
So, follow these quick methods for applying the owner protection. Moreover, it is a cutting-edge and straightforward process for securing the content.
How to Remove PDF Owner Password Using SysTools Pro Utility
Previously, we explained how to know or apply the owner password of PDF. If the owner protection annoys you, try SysTools PDF Unlock Tool for removing the owner security. It is a simple, fast, and robust tool for professionals. Using this solution, you can save time when removing the owner’s password. Moreover, it is the best way to remove permissions from PDF document.
The tool is offline and offers all the functions for removing owner protection, such as content editing, copying, and page printing. This way, you can effortlessly access your PDF document for free. Follow the stepwise guide to remove PDF owner password instantly:
- Open the SysTools utility on your Windows or macOS system.
- Choose Add Files or Folders to access the document.
- Manually type the password if required > tab Save.
- Use the Change feature to locate the resultant file.
- Finally, use the Unlock function to remove the owner password.
Final Words
In the above guide, we have shared the meaning of the PDF owner password. Using this protection, you can ensure data security when distributing the PDF files. Also, use the SysTools software for both protecting and removing the owner password.