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FreeToolsDaily

Protect PDF with a password

Lock a PDF so only people with the password can open it — encrypted with AES-256.

Free No sign-up Files stay on your device

How it works

How to use the Protect PDF tool

  1. 1

    Upload your PDF

    Choose the document to protect.

  2. 2

    Set a password

    Enter it twice and choose what readers may do: print, copy or edit.

  3. 3

    Download

    Share the protected file and send the password separately.

Strong, standard encryption

FreeToolsDaily encrypts the whole document with AES-256, the strongest encryption in the PDF standard, supported by Adobe Acrobat, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, macOS Preview and mobile PDF apps. Because encryption happens on your device, your password is never transmitted.

Choosing a good password

Use at least 12 characters, or a passphrase of four random words. Never send the password in the same email as the PDF — use a message or call instead. Try our Password Generator for a strong one.

Limitations

We’d rather be upfront about what this tool can’t do yet:

  • If you forget the password, the PDF can’t be recovered — we don’t store it.
  • Permission settings (no printing/copying) are honoured by mainstream viewers but can be ignored by some software; the open password itself is what truly protects the content.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Are my files uploaded?

No. Everything runs inside your browser on your own device, so your files are never sent to FreeToolsDaily or anyone else.

What if I forget the password?

There’s no way to recover it — that’s what makes the protection real. Keep a copy of the original unprotected file somewhere safe.

What is the owner password?

A second password that allows changing permissions. If you leave it empty, a random one is set so restrictions can’t be lifted without your knowledge.

Keep going

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