Protecting Documents in Word 2007/2010

[Office_user]

Can we consider that the “Restrict Formatting and Editing†task pane is a
replacement for the Restrict tab in the Manage Styles dialog box, and the
“Save As>Tools>General Options†command used to set passwords?

I want to understand what are the additional advantages that any of these
dialogs give?

Thanks in advance

 

[Graham Mayor]

The Restrict Formatting and Editing task pane is the equivalent of the
earlier Tools > Protect Document task pane of Word 2003. Both versions also
have the Tools > General Options for applying passwords against opening and
editing the document available from the SaveAs dialog and both have the
protect document button which opens the aforementioned task panes.

The only one of these functions that provides true protection is the
password to open the document option which encrypts the document. Set a high
encryption algorithm and a password that is a little less obvious than your
pet's name or your spouse's birthdate and it will take a seriously
determined cracker with a lot of time and computer power to get past it. The
other types of security are more concerned with deterring users from making
unwarranted changes to particular documents and to restrict the input of
data in forms to the form fields.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Office_user]

Thanks Graham

But, even this function can now be performed using the command "File â–ŽInfo
â–ŽProtect Document â–ŽEncrypt with Password" in Word 2010, not by using either
of the dialogs.

I just wanted to make sure that I can protect my document using the Restrict
“Formatting and Editing†task pane, which also enables me to fully protect
documents from editing; and so there is no need to use either of the dialogs.

I'm a technical writer and just wanted to make things easier when I explain
them.

Thanks for your help

 

[Graham Mayor]

'Fully protect from editing' conveys a mistaken impression. There is no way
to fully protect a document that you allow someone to open. You can merely
make things a little more difficult.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Office_user]

Maybe I didn't express it well; English is not my mother tongue.

I mean prevent editing by choosing "No changes (Read Only)" from the Editing
Restrictions section, and thus I get the same result of assigning a password
to edit.

Sorry, and thanks for your interest