What this does
Add a password: the whole document is encrypted. Anyone opening it is asked for the password.
Remove a password: type the current password and the tool saves an unprotected copy.
What it can’t do
Stop someone who has the password from saving or printing an unprotected copy. A password controls who can open a file, not what they do next.
A worked example
A landlord emails a signed tenancy agreement. They protect the PDF here and send the password by text message, so a mistyped email address does not expose the contract.
Questions
- How strong is the protection?
- The PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest scheme the format has. It is only as strong as the password, so use a long one.
- Can this remove a password I have forgotten?
- No. It removes a password only when you type the correct one.
- Will the protected PDF open everywhere?
- In every current PDF reader, including the ones built into browsers and phones. Very old readers may not support AES-256.
Your file stays on this device
The tool above runs in a sealed frame that cannot send your file anywhere. It works with airplane mode on, and the counter above it stays at 0. Here is how you can check that yourself.
Related tools
- Encrypt or decrypt a file Lock any file with a passphrase before you send it, or open one you were sent.
- Make an encrypted ZIP Bundle files into one password-protected ZIP.
- Remove metadata from a PDF Remove the author, software, dates and earlier versions from a PDF.
- Remove a PDF password Save an unprotected copy of a PDF whose password you know.
- Remove metadata Strip location, device and hidden previews from photos and documents.
- Redact PDF Black out names, emails and numbers so they are gone for good.
- Redact image Cover parts of a screenshot or photo with solid boxes.
- Find hidden content Check a PDF or Office file for hidden text, sheets, comments and tracked changes.