Guide · 5 min read
How to Protect a PDF
Add password protection and document permissions to a PDF from your browser.
Password protection basics
A user password opens the document. An owner password controls permissions such as printing, copying, and editing.
Protect PDF lets you set both and choose the permissions that should remain available to readers.
Steps
Upload the PDF and enter a user password, owner password, or both.
Choose which actions readers are allowed to perform.
Click Protect PDF, then download the encrypted file.
Password safety
There is no password recovery server. If you lose the password, the file cannot be opened.
Use Unlock PDF when you have permission to remove protection from a document you own.