Securing a Document in Microsoft Word 2003

The benefits of taking advantage of the security features that are built into Microsoft Word are plentiful.

Password protecting a document ensures that no user will be able to access confidential or sensitive information without explicit permission or authorization.

Setting a password to modify a document is increasingly convenient in the modern business world, where in is necessary for multiple users to have access to the same information. Setting a password to modify allows users to view a document, but not to make changes. This insures that disbursed information remains accurate.

How to Set Passwords

1. Begin by locating the Tools menu from the top of the screen. Select "Tools", and a dropdown menu will appear.
2. From this menu, select the option titled "Options..."
3. Once selected, the Options dialog box will appear. Select the tab labeled "Security".
3. Locate the field marked "Password to modify," then enter the desired password.

Note: To password protect the document so that no user can view it without the password, use the "Password to open" field.

5. Upon entering the password, a Confirm Password prompt will appear.

Reenter the password to verify that it is correct. If the password was misspelled, the opportunity to begin anew will be given.

Once the password has been verified, press OK.

The document is now password protected to modify; meaning that in order to edit the document, the user must know the password.

Opening a Password Protected Document

· To open a Word document that is password protected, begin by opening the file as normal. (Double click on the icon, or right-click and select "Open".)
· A Password dialog box will pop-up:
· Type the password in the into the field marked "Password"
· Press OK to continue.

Note:

· Users who do not have the password can press the "Read Only" button to view the document.
· When viewing the document in Read Only mode, no changes can be saved.

Usefulness

Now, with the knowledge of how to password protect MS Word documents, information can be more freely shared without the risk of the data being altered by those who do not have permission to do so.