Protect PDF
Protect PDF files with an opening password and AES-256 encryption. Choose whether readers may print or copy content, then save the protected file.
- Input
- One PDF and a new password
- Output
- An AES-256 encrypted PDF
- Runs
- In your browser. The file never leaves your device.
- Cost
- Free. No sign-up, no watermark.
How to password-protect a PDF
Choose a PDF
Open the document you want to protect.
Set a strong password
Use at least eight characters and choose printing and copying permissions. Keep the password somewhere safe.
Download and test
Open the encrypted PDF with your password before sharing it. Send the password separately from the file.
What protection you get
AES-256 encryption
QPDF encrypts the document with a password required to open it.
Permission controls
Set printing and text-copying permissions. Enforcement of these restrictions depends on the PDF viewer.
Local password handling
Your file and password stay in the browser during processing.
Frequently asked questions
Can you recover my password?
No. The tool does not store it. Keep an unencrypted original in a secure place if you may need to create a new protected copy.
Does disabling copying prevent screenshots?
No. Viewer permissions are not a guarantee against screenshots or other capture methods. The opening password controls decryption.
Can I change an existing password?
Enter the existing opening password in the additional settings, then choose a new password for the output.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. Protect PDF runs entirely in your browser: the file is opened and processed on your own device and is never sent to our server. More in the privacy policy.
Is Protect PDF free to use?
Yes. Protect PDF is free, with no account to create and no software to install — open the page in a modern browser and start.