Chapter 17. Using Digital Signatures and Security

Did you know that you can digitally sign a PDF document using Adobe Reader? The PDF document requires some special preparation, but once it's prepared with Adobe LiveCycle Reader Extensions, you have the ability to add a digital signature to a document.

In Adobe Reader you can view PDF documents that are signed electronically by other users and you can create your own personal digital signature. In addition, you can export a public certificate from a Digital ID that you create. A PDF author can use your exported public certificate to encrypt files in such a way that the file can only be opened with the password you used when you created your Digital ID.

There are two parts to using Digital IDs. The Private part of an ID is used for creating a Digital ID and decrypting files. The Public part is used for verifying digital signatures and encrypting files. If you don't have a PDF opened in Reader that has been enabled with usage rights using the Adobe LiveCycle Reader Extensions Server (ARES), you can only create a Digital ID, decrypt a document, and verify signatures. You need to open a document with usage rights enabled using ARES to electronically sign documents.