How to password-protect a PDF

Adding a password means only people who know it can open the file. It is a sensible step before emailing bank statements, payslips, contracts or ID copies.

Step by step

1. Open Protect PDF and select your PDF.
2. Type a password and confirm it.
3. Choose permissions: Allow printing and Allow copying text.
4. Click Protect PDF and download the protected file.

Choosing a good password

• Use at least 12 characters — a short phrase of unrelated words is easy to remember and hard to guess.
• Don’t send the password in the same email as the file. Send it by text message or tell the person by phone.
• Write it down somewhere safe: a lost password can’t be recovered.

How strong is the protection?

PDFmoor uses 128-bit RC4 encryption, the standard PDF password handler supported by virtually every PDF reader, so recipients can open the file anywhere. It is good protection against casual access. For highly sensitive material, also keep the file in a secure, encrypted location.

Because the tool runs in your browser, the unprotected original is never uploaded while you add the password.