Protect PDF

Add a password so only the right people can open it.

This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your file is never uploaded to our server.

What to expect from the outputPermission restrictions (no printing, no copying) are enforced by the PDF reader, not by the file itself. They are respected by mainstream readers but can be ignored by determined software. The open password is real encryption; the permission flags are a convention.

About this tool

Encrypt a PDF with a password. Anyone who opens the file will be asked for it first, and you can additionally restrict printing, copying and editing for people who do have access.

How to use this tool

Select the PDF you want to protect.
Set an open password, and optionally an owner password with permission restrictions.
Click Protect PDF and download the encrypted file.

How it works

The document is encrypted using the PDF standard security handler with 128-bit RC4, which every PDF reader from Acrobat 5 onwards can open. Encryption happens on your device — the password is never transmitted anywhere.

Choose a password you will remember. There is no recovery path: if it is lost, the document cannot be opened by anyone, including you.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I forget the password?

The file becomes unreadable, permanently. Encryption has no back door — store the password somewhere safe before you close the tab.

Which readers can open the protected file?

Every mainstream reader: Adobe Acrobat, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Preview on macOS, and the standard Android and iOS viewers.