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Password-Protect a PDF Online — Free

Add a password to a PDF so it can't be opened without it — useful before emailing sensitive documents.

How to protect pdf

  1. Choose the PDF file you want to protect.
  2. Enter the new password to set on it.
  3. Click "Protect & Download" to get the password-locked file.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I forget the password I set?

There's no recovery — keep the password somewhere safe, since a forgotten password makes the file permanently inaccessible.

Is the password stored anywhere after I close the page?

No — the password isn't retained after your file has been processed, and it isn't sent off your device, since the encryption happens in your browser.

How should I share the password with the recipient?

Send it through a different channel than the file itself — if the PDF goes by email, share the password by phone or message. Emailing both together removes most of the benefit of protecting the file.

What makes a good password for a PDF?

Length matters more than symbols. A few unrelated words strung together is both harder to guess and easier to pass along than a short scramble of characters.

Can the recipient still print or copy text from the file?

This tool sets the password required to open the document. Once someone opens it with that password, they have normal access to the contents.

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