How to password protect your PDF
- 1
Add the PDF you want to protect.
- 2
Type a password twice and choose any restrictions (printing, copying, editing).
- 3
Click Protect PDF and download the encrypted file.
AES-256 PDF encryption
Encryption scrambles the content of the PDF so that it can only be read with the password. This tool always uses AES-256 (PDF 2.0 / Acrobat X level), not the weak RC4 encryption of old PDF versions.
Private by design
Your file is processed by your own browser, in memory. It is never uploaded, stored or seen by anyone, and the page’s security policy blocks it from sending data to other servers.
Frequently asked questions
How do I save encrypted PDF as unencrypted?
Add the PDF you want to protect. Type a password twice and choose any restrictions (printing, copying, editing). Click Protect PDF and download the encrypted file.
How to save an encrypted PDF as unencrypted?
Add the PDF, type a password twice, optionally block printing or copying, then click Protect PDF. The downloaded file asks for the password when opened.
How to sign encrypted PDF?
The file is encrypted with AES-256. With a long, unique password it can’t practically be broken. Weak passwords like “1234” can be guessed, so the strength of the password matters most.
How do I take the password off later?
Open Unlock PDF, add the protected file, type the password and download an unlocked copy.
Is it safe to use with confidential documents?
Yes. The file is opened by your own browser and processed in your device’s memory. It is never uploaded, so no server, including ours, ever receives a copy. That makes it suitable for contracts, IDs, medical or bank documents.
Is it really free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no watermark, no daily limit and no paid tier hiding the useful settings. Because your device does the work, it costs us almost nothing to run.