PDF is a blessing for everyone who struggles with formatting. In addition to locking your files into your desired format, its main advantage is that just about anyone can view or open the document as long as they have an internet browser.
However, this means that your files are at risk of being vulnerable, and if they contain any sensitive information, then it's no-brainer that you need a password to secure them.
That’s exactly what we’ll cover below here.
We’ll cover almost all the grounds from various OS systems to online sources, and free to paid software. Keep reading to find out ways in which you can password protect and encrypt your sensitive PDF documents easily within a few simple steps.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why Password Protect PDF Files And Documents?
- How To Password Protect A PDF On Windows?
- How To Password Protect A PDF File In Adobe Acrobat?
- How To Password Protect A PDF File On Mac With Preview?
- How To Add Password Protection To A PDF File Online?
- How To Remove A Password Protection From a PDF?
Why Password Protect PDF Files And Documents?
If you don’t want your sensitive information hacked, or precious original work copied, then password-protecting your PDFs is the way to go.
It only requires a few simple steps, could be done online or offline, and doesn’t require a single penny.
Before we dive into ways in which you can achieve this, let’s have a look at why it’s important to protect and encrypt your PDF documents in the first place:
Confidentiality: PDF documents often contain confidential information. Which if hacked, could not only have a negative impact on your business but could also lead to the compromising of your users’ information via privacy breach. Therefore, having your PDFs password protected is essential for protecting them against hackers, phishing, wrong recipients, and scams.
Documents’ Management: Most the password protection software and tools provide you with the option of placing passwords on viewing and editing. This provides you control over who can view or edit your documents. In today’s virtual world, where everything is online, it is essential to share information, but not everyone wants that information to be edited. Therefore, having control over who gets the editable version and who gets the viewable version of a PDF provides you with better documents management.
Protection of Original Work: PDFs are a great source to lock your formatting but leaving them around with your original work without any password isn’t wise. After all, anyone can copy-paste it by simply pressing CTRL C and CTRL V or download it in two clicks. To take it a step further, you can even watermark your PDF to show proof of authenticity.
Now, let’s cover the practical steps on how to protect your PDF documents.
How To Password Protect A PDF On Windows?
Windows don’t offer its own PDF protection editor to secure the files of the owner from getting into the hands of hackers.
But there are external software that can do the task.
Such as Adobe Acrobat (see below), or other third-party PDF management software.
Here’s one way to password protect a PDF file on Windows with EaseUS PDF Editor.
Step 1: Download and Install EaseUS PDF
Once you’ve downloaded EaseUS PDF, click on ‘File’, and then ‘Open’. Navigate to the file that you want to password protect and click ‘Open’.
Step 2: Encrypt the PDF with a password
Now, click on ‘Protection’ in the top toolbar. On clicking it, a sidebar will appear, select ‘Encrypt with Password’.
Step 3: Choose a secure password for your document.
The following window will open where you will be asked to enter the password for the protection of the file. Choose a secure password with a mixture of alphabets, numbers, and special characters for maximum protection.
Click on ‘Ok’, you have successfully protected your PDF.
How To Password Protect A PDF File In Adobe Acrobat?
Adobe Acrobat can help you in imposing an extra layer of protection on your documents that contain important and sensitive information.
However, this feature is NOT available in the free version, you’ll require the paid Adobe Acrobat DC.
Here’s how you can use Adobe to add password encryption to your PDF document.
Step 1: Open your PDF in Adobe
Begin by opening the PDF you want to protect with a password in Adobe Acrobat.
If Adobe is set as your default PDF viewer, then the PDF will open directly in it.
If it isn’t, then open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, click on ‘File’, then ‘Open’. A new window will open, navigate to the PDF that you want to password protect, and click on ‘Open’.
Step 2: Open the protect feature
On the right menu bar, you’ll see an option named ‘Protect’. If it isn’t there, then go to ‘Tools’ and click on ‘Protection’.
On clicking the ‘Protect’ option, a toolbar will appear, where you’ll see further options; click on ‘Protect using password’.
Step 3: Choose between password for viewing or editing
On clicking ‘Protect with password’, a new window will open with the option of putting a password for either viewing or editing.
What’s the difference between blocking a PDF for viewing or editing?
If you don’t want the viewer to edit your document, then select ‘Viewing’.
If you are okay with the viewer editing your PDF, then select ‘Editing’. Type and re-type a strong password with a combination of alphabets, numbers, and special characters.
Click ‘Apply’.
Looking for more ways to manage or edit your PDF documents with Adobe Acrobat?
Be sure to also read:
- How to Rotate PDF Pages and Files In Adobe (Online or Offline)
- How to Make a Fillable PDF Form Without Adobe Acrobat
- How to Edit PDF Files And Documents Without Adobe Acrobat
How To Password Protect A PDF File On Mac With Preview?
You can password protect your PDF file on a Mac with Preview in less than a minute by following four easy steps.
Here’s how you can do it:
