Protect PDF
Add a password to a PDF with AES-256 encryption before you share it.
Processed on your device · 0 bytes uploaded
Drag and drop a PDF here, or
Up to 100 MB. Your file and password stay on your device.
How to use
- Drag a PDF into the box, or press Choose a file.
- Type a password, then type it again to confirm. It needs at least 6 characters; the hint shows how hard it is to guess.
- Optionally open Restrictions to block printing, copying text or editing.
- Press Protect PDF, then Download. Keep the password somewhere safe: it can't be recovered.
Questions
When should I protect a PDF?
Whenever you send something private by email or chat, such as salary slips, ID copies, bank statements, medical reports or contracts. Send the password separately, for example by phone or text message, not in the same email.
How strong is the protection?
The file is encrypted with AES-256, the strongest standard PDF encryption, supported by Adobe Reader, browsers and phone PDF apps. Nobody can open it without the password, so a long password matters more than anything else.
What if I forget the password?
The file can't be opened, and Kitbaba can't recover it: the password isn't stored anywhere. Keep the original unprotected file, or save the password in a password manager.
Do my file and password leave my device?
No. Encryption runs in your browser with qpdf running as WebAssembly in a background worker. The password is kept only in memory, and the boxes are cleared after you download the file.
Do restrictions stop people printing or copying?
Most PDF readers honour them, but some apps ignore them, so treat them as a polite request. When restrictions are on, they are set with a separate random owner password, so knowing the open password isn't enough to lift them in apps that respect them.
My PDF already has a password. Can I change it?
Yes. Enter its current password along with the new one. To remove the password instead, use Unlock PDF.
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