How to Password Protect a PDF (and Remove the Password Later)
If a PDF contains personal or financial details, a password is the simplest way to stop the wrong person from opening it. Here is what you need to know.
Open password vs permissions
An open (user) password is needed to view the file. An owner password controls permissions such as printing and copying. Use the first to keep a file private and the second to limit what readers can do.
Add a password
Open Protect PDF, choose your file, type a strong password and click Protect. Encryption runs in your browser, so neither the file nor the password is sent anywhere.
- Use at least 12 characters.
- Mix words, numbers and symbols.
- Share the password through a different channel than the file.
Remove a password you know
If you no longer need the protection, Unlock PDF saves a copy without a password after you enter the current one. It cannot crack a password you have forgotten, and it should only be used on files you are allowed to open.
Do not forget it
Because nothing is stored on a server, there is no recovery option. Keep the password in a password manager.