Protect PDF
Add a password to keep your document private.
What is Protect PDF?
Protecting a PDF adds a password using real encryption so only people with the password can open it. PDFForge protects PDFs online for free with genuine AES encryption, processed locally so the password never leaves your device.
Protect PDF key features
- Password-protect your PDF with real encryption
- Optional permissions to restrict printing or copying
- The password is processed in memory, never transmitted
- Free and unlimited with no watermarks
Every protect pdf operation runs 100% in your browser — your file never leaves your device.
How to use Protect PDF
- 1
Upload your PDF
Add the document you want to protect.
- 2
Set a password
Type a strong password. Optionally restrict printing or copying with permissions.
- 3
Download the encrypted PDF
PDFForge encrypts the file locally in your browser. Only people with the password can open it.
Protect PDF FAQ
How secure is password-protecting my PDF?
PDFForge applies genuine AES encryption inside your browser. The password and document are processed in memory and never uploaded, so neither is transmitted anywhere.
Can I remove a password from a PDF later?
Yes. Use the PDFForge Unlock PDF tool with your password to decrypt the file and remove its opening restriction.