Password Protect PDF
Password protect PDF files with real AES-256 encryption in your browser: set an open password, choose what readers may do (print, copy, edit), and download the locked copy.
Your files are processed on your device and never sent to a server.
How to use Protect PDF
Click "Choose a PDF".
Type the password twice. Optional: open "Permissions" to allow or block printing, copying and editing, and set a separate owner password.
Click "Protect PDF" and download the protected copy. Keep the password safe.
When to use Protect PDF
- Sending documents by email. Protect salary slips, ITRs, bank statements and medical reports before attaching them.
- Sharing with clients. Send contracts and invoices, and share the password by phone or another channel.
- Storing ID copies. Keep scans of Aadhaar, PAN and passport protected on shared computers or cloud drives.
How the protection works
The PDF is encrypted with AES-256, the method defined in the PDF 2.0 standard and used by Adobe Acrobat. Every page, image and piece of text is encrypted, so the file cannot be read without the password. It opens normally in Chrome, Edge, Adobe Reader, macOS Preview and other modern PDF readers after entering the password.
Permissions (printing, copying, editing) are a different kind of setting: well-behaved PDF readers follow them, but they are not a strong lock. The open password is what keeps the content private.
Limits and privacy
- One PDF at a time, up to 200MB. A PDF that already has a password must be unlocked first.
- Very old PDF readers (before about 2010) may not support AES-256.
- Your PDF and password stay in your browser. The password is never sent anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put a password on a PDF?
Choose the PDF, type a password in both boxes and click Protect PDF. Download the new copy: anyone opening it will be asked for the password. Use at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols for documents that matter.
How strong is the encryption?
The tool uses AES-256 encryption (PDF security handler revision 6), the strongest method in the PDF standard. With a long, unique password it is practically impossible to break. A short or common password, such as a date of birth, can be guessed, so the password matters more than the algorithm.
Can I remove a password from a PDF?
Yes, if you know it. Use Unlock PDF: choose the protected file, type the password, and download a copy that opens without one. This is useful for bank statements and e-Aadhaar PDFs that you open often. Neither tool can open a PDF without the correct password.
Is my file sent to a server?
No. Encryption runs in your browser using the Web Crypto API built into it. Your PDF and your password never leave your device and are not stored.
What if I forget the password?
Then the PDF cannot be opened, by you, by BA Convert or by anyone else; that is the point of encryption. Keep the original unprotected file somewhere safe, or store the password in a password manager before you share the protected copy.
Step-by-step guides
- How to Redact a PDF So the Text Is Really GoneBlack out Aadhaar, PAN or account numbers in a PDF so they cannot be copied or recovered. Free, works on phone or PC, and the file stays on your device.
- How to Remove the Password From a Bank Statement PDFRemove the password from your bank statement or e-Aadhaar PDF once, so it opens directly or uploads to a loan portal. Free, private, works in your browser.
Related tools
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