Password Protect PDF
Add password protection to PDF files online. Note: Full PDF encryption requires server-side processing. This tool provides information about PDF security.
About PDF Password Protection
This tool provides information about PDF security and encryption. Due to browser limitations, full PDF password encryption is not available. We recommend desktop software for password protecting PDFs.
Why cannot I password protect PDFs in the browser?
PDF encryption requires advanced cryptographic operations and specific PDF security standards that are not fully supported by browser-based JavaScript libraries. Additionally, proper encryption requires careful key management which is better handled by dedicated software.
What can this tool do?
This tool can check if a PDF is already password-protected and view basic security information. It helps you understand the current security status of your PDF files.
What software should I use for password protection?
For reliable PDF password protection, use desktop software like Adobe Acrobat (commercial), PDFtk (free, command-line), PDF-XChange Editor (free/paid), or LibreOffice (free).
Are there online alternatives?
Yes, but they require uploading your PDF to a server, which may not be ideal for sensitive documents. Desktop software keeps your files on your own computer.
Is my PDF file safe with this tool?
Yes! This tool only reads PDF metadata locally in your browser. Your file is never uploaded anywhere.
What types of PDF passwords exist?
PDFs can have two types of passwords: User Password (required to open the PDF) and Owner Password (required to change permissions like printing or editing).