Don't let your sensitive data fall into the wrong hands. Use these tools to easily encrypt important PDFs.

Digital documents are being used today more than ever before.

Unauthorized access to sensitive files can lead to serious, real-world consequences.

Financial loss, identity theft, and reputation damage are just some of the dangers of confidential documents getting into the wrong hands.

Encrypting a PDF secures it so that only authorized people can view and make changes to it. This guide will show you everything you need to encrypt your PDFs and keep your private documents private.

What to Know Before You Start

• The most common ways to encrypt a PDF are with: open passwords and permission passwords.
• The most reliable way to encrypt a PDF is by using a dedicated PDF editor. Try PDF Pro for free today
• In a pinch, there are free built-in or online tools that can help you encrypt your PDF. If using an online tool, choose a trusted website before uploading your confidential documents.

What is PDF Encryption and Why is it Important?

PDF encryption is a method of securing your PDF documents with a password to control who can access or edit the document.

Encrypting a PDF ensures that the document can only be viewed or modified by authorized people.

Benefits of Encrypting a PDF:

1. Protects Sensitive Information: Encrypting a PDF ensures that confidential information such as financial records, personal data, or proprietary business information remains secure. Unauthorized users won't be able to access or alter the document without the correct password.
2. Prevents Unauthorized Modifications: Permission restrictions prevent others from making changes or modifications to your PDF. This helps maintain the integrity of PDF contracts, official documents, and any content that shouldn't be altered.
3. Ensures Compliance: Many industries are required to protect data privacy and security to comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA. Securing sensitive data by encrypting PDFs helps meet these compliance requirements.
4. Safeguards Intellectual Property: For businesses and people who create original content, such as eBooks, reports, or designs, encryption helps protect intellectual property from being copied or misused.

Overall, encrypting your PDFs adds a layer of security that helps protect your documents from unauthorized access, and ensures that your sensitive information remains confidential.

Different Types of PDF Encryption

There are two main ways to encrypt a PDF: Open Passwords and Permission Passwords.

1. Open Password (User Password): The user of the PDF will need a password to be able to open and view the PDF. This is the most common type of encryption that's used on PDFs.
2. Permissions Password (Owner Password): The PDF owner sets specific restrictions that control how users can interact with the PDF document while they're viewing it. Users can view the document but cannot perform restricted actions without this password. Common actions that are restricted include printing, editing, and copying.

Different Methods to Encrypt a PDF

There are a few different ways to encrypt a PDF. We'll summarize the best methods here:

PDF Editor

The most reliable way to encrypt a PDF is by using a dedicated PDF editor.

A good PDF editor will give you multiple tools to create, convert, edit, and secure your PDFs.

Many PDF editors offer built-in encryption features, letting you set passwords and permissions on your private documents.

Some of the most popular and reliable PDF editors include PDF Pro, PDF Expert, and Adobe Acrobat.

Free Online Tools

There are multiple free PDF encryption tools available online.

These make it easy to encrypt PDFs without needing to install or invest in any additional software.

However, online tools have their drawbacks. Most notably, their need for internet access, and the potential safety concerns with uploading sensitive information to an unknown website or server.

Be sure to use only trusted and reputable online PDF encryption tools. And use a dedicated PDF editor, when possible.

Built-in Tools

Some devices may come with built-in tools that allow you to encrypt a PDF. Common ones include Preview (on Mac) and Microsoft Office programs like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.

How to Encrypt a PDF With PDF Pro

PDF Pro is our all-in-one PDF editor, converter, and security tool for Windows. PDF Pro makes it easy to secure PDFs with passwords, permission restrictions, digital signatures, and more.

If you're looking for an easy-to-use, powerful, and affordable PDF editor for Windows, PDF Pro may be just what you need. Try PDF Pro for free

To Set an Open Password:

1. Open the PDF in PDF Pro.
2. Press the Secure tab > Password.
3. Click the Open password checkbox.
4. Type & confirm your password. (Be sure to choose a strong password).
5. Press Finish.
6. Save the changes made to your PDF (or press [ctrl] + [s] on your keyboard).

To Set and Manage Permissions:

1. With your PDF open in PDF Pro, press the Secure tab > Password.
2. Click the Permission checkbox.
3. Type and confirm your password. (Be sure to choose a strong password).
4. Set the document permissions by using the dropdowns and checkboxes.
5. Set the security level.
6. Press Finish.
7. Save the changes made to your PDF (or press [ctrl] + [s] on your keyboard).

Try PDF Pro for free today

How to Encrypt a PDF With Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is one of the most well-known PDF editors around. Acrobat lets you encrypt PDFs on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.

Acrobat's PDF editor is known to be a bit pricey and slow. But those looking to encrypt PDFs on multiple operating systems may find that Acrobat is right for them.

To Set an Open Password:

1. Open the PDF in Acrobat.
2. Select All tools > Protect a PDF, then select Encrypt with password. Or, select File > Protect Using Password (macOS).
3. Click Yes to change the security settings, if prompted.
4. Type your open password.
5. Select OK > retype the password to confirm > then select OK, to finalize the encryption.

To Set and Manage Permissions:

1. Open the PDF in Acrobat.
2. Select All tools > Protect a PDF, then select Encrypt with password. Or, select File > Protect Using Password (macOS).
3. Click Yes to change the security settings, if prompted.
4. Select Restrict editing and printing of the document.
5. Type your open password.
6. Adjust Password Security Settings (printing, changes, copying, etc.).
7. Select the Compatibility to match the document to the recipient’s version of Adobe.
8. Choose What to Encrypt (all document contents, all document contents except metadata, encrypts contents but allows search engines to access metadata, only encrypt file attachments, etc.).
9. Select OK > retype the password to confirm > then select OK, to finalize the encryption.

How to Encrypt a PDF Using PDF Expert

PDF Expert is a PDF editor made specifically for Mac and iOS devices (including iPhone & iPad).

PDF Expert helps you easily encrypt PDFs with open passwords. Unfortunately, PDF Expert doesn't allow you to set permissions. Mac users who need to set permissions passwords should try an alternative PDF editor.

To Set an Open Password:

1. Open the PDF that you want to encrypt in PDF Expert.
2. Select the File.
3. Click Set Password.
4. Enter and confirm your password. (Be sure to choose a strong one).
5. Press Set to finish encrypting your PDF.

To Set and Manage Permissions:

PDF Expert can't set and manage permissions.

To set permissions on your documents, use Adobe Acrobat or another alternative PDF editor for Mac.

How to Encrypt a PDF in Preview

Preview is a handy app that comes built-in on Mac computers. Preview can help you encrypt PDFs with both open and permissions passwords.

To Set an Open Password:

1. Open the PDF in Preview.
2. Go to the File menu and select Export. (To create a password-protected copy without changing the original PDF, enter a new name for the PDF).
3. To set the Open Password: Click the Permissions button > Require Password To Open Document.
4. Then, enter the password and retype it to verify.
5. Click Apply > Save.

The changes to the PDF will take effect the next time it's opened.

To Set and Manage Permissions:

1. Open the PDF in Preview.
2. Go to the File menu and select Export. (To create a password-protected copy without changing the original PDF, enter a new name for the PDF).
3. To Set or Change Permissions: Click the Permissions button. (Select or deselect the checkbox next to each action that you want to control permissions for. If left unchecked, the password will be required for that action).
4. Enter a password in the Owner Password section and retype it to verify. (This password can be the same as or different from the opening password).
5. Click Apply > Save.

The changes to the PDF will take effect the next time it's opened.

How to Encrypt a PDF using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint)

Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint) allow you to encrypt documents when saving them as a PDF.

This makes it easy to set open passwords on private documents. This method works best when you're saving the original file as a PDF, rather than trying to set the password on the PDF after the fact.

To Set an Open Password:

1. Open your document in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
2. Go to File > Save As.
3. Press the Browse button.
4. Select PDF as the format from the Save as type dropdown menu.
5. Click the Options... button.
6. Uncheck the PDF/A Compliant checkbox (if necessary), then check the Encrypt the document with a password checkbox.
7. Enter and re-enter the password you want to set on the document, then press OK. (Be sure to choose a strong one).
8. Press Save.

To Set and Manage Permissions:

It's not possible to set and manage permissions on PDFs using Microsoft Office.

To set more specific permissions such as restricting printing or editing, you'll need to use a dedicated PDF editor. Try PDF Pro for free today

How to Encrypt a PDF Online for Free

PDF Pro’s PDF password tool is a great option for those who need to encrypt PDFs without downloading any software. Simply upload your PDF, set your password, and download the encrypted file.

No ads, no subscription necessary, and it works on almost any device (including mobile).

To Set an Open Password:

1. In your browser, visit PDF Pro's online password tool.
2. Press the Upload button, then find and select the PDF that you want to encrypt.
3. Type and re-type the password you want to set. (Be sure to choose a strong one).
4. Press the Protect PDF button.
5. Download your encrypted PDF (if it doesn't automatically download).

To Set and Manage Permissions:

Most online tools only allow you to set open passwords. To restrict specific actions like copying, printing, editing, etc. you'll need to use a dedicated PDF editor like PDF Pro. Try PDF Pro Free

Easily Encrypt Your PDF Today

Encrypting PDFs ensures that only authorized people can view and make changes to your important documents.

Mac users can use Preview to encrypt their PDFs for free.

The most reliable way to encrypt PDFs is by using a PDF editor like PDF Pro. PDF Pro is our all-in-one PDF editor, converter, and security tool for Windows.

PDF Pro makes it easy and affordable to secure and protect your important documents on Windows.

Other things PDF Pro can help you with:

• How to digitally sign a PDF
• How to remove a password from a PDF
• How to redact a PDF
• How to combine password-protected PDFs
• How to make a PDF fillable

Buy Now Try PDF Pro Free

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Encrypting PDFs

How can I encrypt a PDF file for email?

To encrypt a PDF file for email:

1. Encrypt the PDF: Use a PDF editor like PDF Pro to encrypt the PDF. To set an open password on a PDF, use an online PDF password tool.
2. Save the encrypted PDF: Ensure the document is securely encrypted.
3. Send via email: Attach the encrypted PDF to your email and send it. Share the password with the recipient through a secure channel.

How can I encrypt a PDF for free?

You can encrypt a PDF for free using tools like PDF Pro. Here’s how:

1. Upload the PDF: Visit PDF Pro's online PDF password tool and upload your document.
2. Set a password: Enter and confirm your password.
3. Protect the PDF: Click on the “Protect PDF” button.
4. Download the encrypted PDF: Download your secured PDF (if it doesn't automatically download).

How to encrypt a PDF file?

Encrypting a PDF format involves using a PDF editor to set a password and restrict access. Here’s a general method:

1. Open the PDF in a PDF editor: Use a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat, PDF Pro, or a free online PDF password tool.
2. Set your password: Enter a password and confirm it.
3. Protect the PDF: Set the password and encrypt the PDF.
4. Save & download the PDF: Save the changes made to the PDF, and download the file to your device.

How do I convert a PDF to a secure PDF?

To convert a PDF to a secure PDF:

1. Open the PDF in a PDF editor: Use a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat, PDF Pro, or a free online PDF password tool.
2. Apply security settings: Navigate to the security settings (often found in the "Security" tab).
3. Set a password: Enter and confirm your password.
4. Save the secured PDF: Save the changes made to your PDF to ensure that the encryption is applied.

Can I encrypt a PDF with Adobe Reader?

No, Adobe Reader does not support encrypting PDFs.

To encrypt a PDF, you'll need Adobe Acrobat or an alternative PDF editor.

How to password protect a PDF file on Windows 10?

Password-protecting a PDF on Windows 10 involves using a PDF editor to set a password. Here’s a general method: Try PDF Pro for free today

1. Open the PDF in a PDF editor: Use a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat, PDF Pro, or a free online PDF password tool.
2. Set your password: Enter a password and confirm it.
3. Protect the PDF: Set the password and encrypt the PDF.
4. Save & download the PDF: Save the changes made to the PDF, and download the file to your device.

Can I send a password-protected PDF via email?

Yes, you can send a password-protected PDF via email. After encrypting your PDF:

1. Save the encrypted PDF: Ensure your PDF is password-protected.
2. Attach to email: Add the encrypted document as an attachment in your email.
3. Send securely: Inform the recipient of the password through a secure method.

What are the best tools to encrypt a PDF?

Some of the best tools to encrypt a PDF include:

1. Adobe Acrobat: Offers advanced encryption features on Windows, Mac, and mobile.
2. PDF Pro: An affordable and easy-to-use PDF editor and security tool for Windows.
3. PDF Expert: Ideal for Mac users who need to set open passwords.

Can I encrypt a PDF on my mobile device?

Yes, you can encrypt a PDF on your mobile device using apps like:

1. PDF Pro's Online Tool: Use PDF Pro's free online PDF password tool. Available on both iOS and Android.
2. PDF Expert: Available on iOS.

Is there a difference between password protecting and encrypting a PDF?

Password protecting a PDF typically refers to setting an open password to control who can open the document.

Encrypting a PDF can refer to open passwords as well as restricting actions like editing, printing, and copying. Both methods enhance the security of the document.

Can I remove encryption from a PDF once it is applied?

Yes, you can remove encryption from a PDF if you have the password and a PDF editor:

1. Open the PDF in a PDF editor: Use a PDF editor like PDF Pro.
2. Enter the password: Provide the password to access the document.
3. Remove security settings: Navigate to the security settings and choose to remove the password or encryption.
4. Save the PDF: Save the unencrypted PDF.

How secure is PDF encryption?

PDF encryption is generally secure, especially when using strong passwords and advanced encryption standards like AES 256-bit. However, the security also depends on the password's complexity and the encryption method used.