Upload PDF File to Protect
Select the PDF file you want to add password protection to
Adding Password Protection
Select "Add Password Protection"
Click on the "Add Password Protection" option at the top of the page to enable encryption mode.
Upload Your PDF File
Drag and drop your PDF file or click to browse. Files up to 50MB are supported.
Create a Strong Password
Enter your desired password twice to confirm. Use at least 8 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
Removing Password Protection
Select "Remove Password Protection"
Click on the "Remove Password Protection" option to enable decryption mode.
Upload Protected PDF
Upload the password-protected PDF file that you want to unlock.
Enter Current Password
Provide the correct password for the encrypted PDF. If incorrect, the process will fail.
Complete Guide: How to Protect PDF Files Online
Learn everything about securing your PDF documents with password protection, encryption, and best practices for document security.
Confidential Information
Protect sensitive business documents, financial reports, legal contracts, and personal information from unauthorized access.
Compliance Requirements
Meet industry regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 that require document encryption and access control.
Prevent Unauthorized Sharing
Control who can access your documents by requiring a password, preventing unauthorized distribution.
Intellectual Property
Safeguard proprietary information, research data, designs, and creative works from theft or misuse.
Client Trust
Demonstrate professionalism and commitment to security when sharing documents with clients and partners.
Adding Password Protection
Select "Add Password Protection"
Click on the "Add Password Protection" option at the top of the page to enable encryption mode.
Upload Your PDF File
Drag and drop your PDF file or click to browse. Files up to 50MB are supported.
Create a Strong Password
Enter your desired password twice to confirm. Use at least 8 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
Download Protected PDF
Click the process button and download your encrypted PDF. Keep your password safe - it cannot be recovered if lost.
Removing Password Protection
Select "Remove Password Protection"
Click on the "Remove Password Protection" option to enable decryption mode.
Upload Protected PDF
Upload the password-protected PDF file that you want to unlock.
Enter Current Password
Provide the correct password for the encrypted PDF. If incorrect, the process will fail.
Download Unlocked PDF
Process the file and download your unlocked PDF without any password restrictions.
Bank-Level Security
Advanced AES-256 encryption protects your documents with military-grade security standards.
Complete Privacy
Your files are processed securely and automatically deleted from our servers after processing.
100% Free
No registration, no subscriptions, no hidden fees. Protect unlimited PDFs completely free.
Easy to Use
Simple 3-step process. No technical knowledge required. Add or remove protection in seconds.
How secure is password-protected PDF encryption?
PDF password protection uses AES-256 encryption, the same standard used by banks and government agencies. With a strong password (12+ characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols), your PDF is virtually impossible to crack. The security depends on your password strength - avoid common words or predictable patterns.
Can I recover a forgotten PDF password?
No, PDF encryption is designed so that passwords cannot be recovered. If you forget your password, the file remains encrypted permanently. This is why it's crucial to store passwords securely using a password manager. Always keep a backup of important passwords in a secure location.
Are my files stored on your servers?
No. Your files are processed in real-time and automatically deleted from our servers immediately after you download the protected PDF. We never store, view, or share your documents. All processing happens over encrypted HTTPS connections for maximum security and privacy.
What's the difference between user and owner passwords?
User passwords (also called open passwords) prevent anyone from opening the PDF without the password. Owner passwords (also called permissions passwords) allow opening the file but restrict actions like printing, editing, or copying. Our tool currently focuses on user password protection for maximum security.
Can password-protected PDFs be opened on all devices?
Yes! Password-protected PDFs use industry-standard encryption that works with all major PDF readers including Adobe Acrobat, Preview (Mac), Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and mobile PDF apps on iOS and Android. Recipients just need to enter the correct password when opening the file.
Use a Password Manager
Tools like 1Password, LastPass, or Bitwarden generate and store complex passwords securely. This eliminates the risk of forgetting important PDF passwords while maintaining maximum security.
Create Strong, Unique Passwords
Aim for 12-16 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Use passphrases like "Coffee$Morning2024!Sky" rather than single words. Never reuse passwords across different PDFs.
Share Passwords Securely
Never send passwords in the same email as the PDF. Use separate channels: send the PDF via email and the password via SMS, phone call, or encrypted messaging apps like Signal or WhatsApp.
Verify Before Sharing
Always test the password-protected PDF before sending it. Download the protected file, close it, and try reopening with the password to ensure encryption worked correctly.
Layer Your Security
For highly sensitive documents, combine PDF password protection with additional security: use encrypted email services, secure file transfer platforms, or place password-protected PDFs inside encrypted ZIP archives.