Protect PDF Online

Protecting a PDF with a password

This tool puts a password on a PDF file. Without that password the document cannot be opened.

Keep the password separate from the document. If it is lost, the content is no longer accessible.

How to use it

Upload the PDF, enter the password and confirm. Download the protected version afterwards and open it once as a check.

Use a password of reasonable length. A short, common word can be guessed by trial and error very quickly.

Limits of the protection

A password prevents opening, not sharing. Anyone who knows it can copy the contents and pass them on.

Do not send the password and the document by the same channel, or the protection is effectively cancelled out.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I forget the password?

The document can no longer be opened. There is no way to remove the protection without it.

Is my original PDF modified?

No. A new file is produced and the original stays as it is until you choose to replace it yourself.

Can I remove the protection later?

Yes, using the tool that unlocks PDFs — for which you need to know the password.