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Free online PDF tool

Password protect a PDF

Set a password that has to be typed before the document will open, and decide separately what someone may do once it is open — whether they can print it, copy text out of it, or change it. The file is encrypted on your own machine, so the password itself is never sent anywhere.

Drop a PDF here
Add a password before you send it.
Kept in this browser

File history

What it does

Password protect a PDF, at a glance.

  • Require a password to open the document
  • Allow or block printing, copying and editing
  • Encrypt on your machine, not on a server

This tool runs entirely inside your browser tab. The file never leaves your machine, using it needs no sign-up, downloading needs only a free account, and nothing you download carries a watermark.

Step by step

How to password protect a PDF

  1. Open the PDF you want to lock.
  2. Set the password that has to be typed to open it, and choose whether printing, copying and editing are allowed.
  3. Download the protected PDF.

Questions

Password protect a PDF: questions and answers

AES-256 by default. AES-128 and RC4-128 are offered as well, for older PDF readers.

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