Protect a PDF with a password
Add a password to a PDF so that it asks for it every time it is opened, with AES-256 encryption, right in your browser. Your file and your password are not uploaded and there is no sign-up.
Processed in your browser
The PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest encryption in the PDF standard. It asks for this password every time it is opened.
Restrictions are only a request to PDF readers, not real protection: some readers and tools ignore them. Only the password to open keeps the content private.
Your passwords are not uploaded or saved in your browser. Keep them somewhere safe: without the password, nobody can open the protected PDF, and we cannot recover it.
How to protect a PDF with a password
- Drop your PDF on the box above, or click Choose a file.
- Type the password to open the PDF twice. If you want, also block printing, copying or editing, with a different permissions password.
- Click Protect PDF and download the protected file.
Questions
Are my files uploaded?
No. Everything runs inside your browser on your own device. Your files and your passwords never leave it.
How strong is the protection?
The PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest encryption in the PDF standard. Without the password, its content cannot be read. A short or common password can still be guessed, so use a long one.
What if I forget the password?
Nobody can open the PDF without it, and we cannot recover it: we never see your password. Keep it somewhere safe, and keep the original file.
Do restrictions on printing, copying or editing protect my PDF?
No. They are a request to PDF readers, and some readers and tools ignore them. Anyone who can open the PDF can read its content. Only the password to open keeps it private.
Can I protect a PDF that is already protected?
Not directly. Unlock it first with the Unlock PDF tool, then protect the unlocked copy with the new password.
What happens to a PDF that is already digitally signed?
The new file no longer has a valid digital signature: encrypting a digitally signed PDF changes it and breaks the signature. Keep the original file.