PDF Tool
Password Protect PDF
Add AES-256 password protection to PDF files. Set a password that opens the file and a separate permissions password, record whether readers may print, copy or edit, and generate strong random passwords.
Drop your file here, or browse
PDF to password-protect
Related tools
How to Protect PDF
Upload your PDF
Drop your PDF file into the upload area. Its pages are shown so you can check it is the right file.
Set your password
Enter a password (or generate a strong random one). Choose which permissions to allow, and optionally set your own permissions password.
Download protected PDF
Press "Protect PDF", then "Download PDF". The copy is encrypted with AES-256, and you can check it opens with your password before you download it.
Features
- AES-256 encryption (PDF 2.0)
- User and owner passwords
- Print, copy and edit permissions, for readers that respect them
- Password strength meter
- Random password generator
- 100% client-side — password never transmitted
Frequently Asked Questions
What encryption standard is used?
AES-256 encryption per the PDF 2.0 specification — the strongest available PDF encryption standard.
What is the difference between user and owner passwords?
The user password opens the PDF with the permissions you chose in force. The owner (permissions) password opens it with every permission. The two are always different: set your own permissions password, or a random one is generated and shown to you once.
Can I restrict printing or copying?
You can record in the file whether printing, copying, editing, form filling, commenting and page assembly are allowed. PDF readers that respect these permissions, such as Adobe Acrobat, hold to them. Some readers ignore them (the viewer built into Firefox does by default), and anyone who can open the file can remove them. To keep the content private, rely on the password that opens the file.
Is the password stored anywhere?
No. Your password is used only in-browser to encrypt the PDF and is never transmitted or stored.
What if my PDF already has a password?
Protect PDF recognises it as soon as you add the file and will not encrypt it again. Remove the password (or the restrictions) with Unlock PDF first, then protect the unlocked copy.