PDF Security · runs in your browser
Protect a PDF with a Password
Lock a PDF so it can only be opened with a password. Pick a password, decide whether people may print, copy or edit, and download the encrypted copy. Your file and password never leave this tab.
When to password-protect a PDF
- Sending documents by email: salary slips, Form 16, bank statements, Aadhaar or PAN copies.
- Sharing with a client: invoices, contracts and reports that shouldn't be forwarded freely.
- Storing in shared drives: a password adds a layer if a folder link leaks.
Need a strong password quickly? Make one with the Password Generator and keep it in your password manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
How secure is the password protection?
The PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest standard PDF encryption, and every PDF reader since 2008 supports it. The weak point is the password itself: a short or guessable one (like a date of birth) can be brute-forced. Use 8+ characters with a mix of letters and numbers.
What if I forget the password?
There's no recovery. The password isn't stored anywhere, and that's what makes the protection real. Keep the original unprotected file, or save the password in a password manager.
Is the PDF uploaded to set the password?
No. Encryption happens inside your browser, so neither the file nor the password is sent to any server. That matters when you're protecting payslips, statements or ID documents.
What do the print, copy and edit permissions do?
After someone opens the file with the password, these control whether their PDF app lets them print it, copy text out of it, or change it. Adobe Reader, browsers and most apps respect these settings, but they're a request rather than a lock, so don't rely on them alone for sensitive content.
How do I send the password to someone?
Send it separately from the file: if the PDF goes by email, share the password by phone or a message app. Anyone who has both can open it.