When a PDF contains payslips, medical records, contracts or ID scans, a password keeps it unreadable to anyone who gets hold of the file without the password: a misdirected email, a shared folder, a lost USB stick. Protect PDF encrypts the document with AES-256, the strongest encryption method defined in the PDF standard and supported by current PDF readers.
Choose a strong password that you don't use elsewhere, and send it to the recipient through a different channel than the file itself, for example by phone or text message rather than in the same email.
Your file is uploaded securely over HTTPS, processed on our servers and deleted automatically within an hour. We don't store your password. If you forget it, we can't recover the document for you, so keep it somewhere safe.
How to Protect PDF
-
1
Upload the PDF
Choose the file you want to protect.
-
2
Set a password
Enter a strong password and confirm it.
-
3
Encrypt
The PDF is encrypted with AES-256.
-
4
Download and share
Send the file and the password separately.
Features
AES-256 encryption
The document contents are encrypted and can't be read without the password.
Wide compatibility
Opens in modern PDF readers such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, browsers and built-in viewers.
No password storage
Your password is used for encryption and not kept.
Good to know
- A forgotten password can't be recovered by us.
- Very old PDF readers may not support AES-256 encryption.
- Encryption protects the file, not what recipients do after opening it.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is the protection?
AES-256 is a strong encryption algorithm. In practice, the security depends on your password: a long, unique passphrase is much harder to guess than a short word.
What if I forget the password?
We don't keep it and can't recover it. Store the password safely, or keep an unprotected original in a secure place.
Will the recipient need special software?
No. Current PDF readers, including web browsers, can open AES-256 encrypted PDFs after the password is entered.
Can I remove the password later?
Yes, with Unlock PDF, as long as you know the password.
Is my file stored after encryption?
No. It's deleted automatically within an hour, and you can delete it immediately after downloading.