Salary slips, bank statements, medical reports and signed agreements are often sent by email. Adding a password means that, if the email is forwarded or the file ends up in the wrong place, the content stays private. Docshar's Protect tool encrypts your PDF with AES-128 encryption and lets you decide what people can do after opening it.
Docshar encrypts the file in your browser, so neither the PDF nor your password is sent to our servers. Files can be up to 10 MB each.
Step by step
- Open the Protect tool. Go to Docshar Protect.
- Add your PDF. Click Choose file or drop it on the page.
- Set the password. Type it in Password to open the PDF and again in Repeat password. Use English letters, numbers and common symbols.
- Choose permissions. Under Allow people to, tick what readers may do: Print, Copy text and images, Edit pages and Comment and fill forms. Optionally set an Owner password, which is needed to change the permissions later.
- Protect and download. Click Protect PDF, then Download. The file name ends in _protected.pdf.
Tips
- Choose a password of at least 8 characters that mixes letters and numbers, and avoid your date of birth or mobile number.
- Store the password safely. It cannot be recovered, by Docshar or anyone else, if you forget it. Keep an unprotected copy of important files somewhere safe.
- Send the password separately from the file, for example by SMS or a phone call, not in the same email.
- Permissions such as "no copying" are respected by most PDF readers, but they are not a guarantee. The open password is what really protects the content.
- Some upload portals cannot read password-protected files. Keep protection for files you send by email or store, and upload an unprotected copy where a form asks for it.
Frequently asked questions
How strong is the protection?
Docshar uses AES-128 encryption, which is supported by all common PDF readers. The real strength depends on your password, so choose a long one.
Can I remove the password later?
Yes. Open Unlock, enter the password and download an unprotected copy. See how to remove a PDF password.
What is the owner password?
It is a second password that controls the permissions, such as printing and copying. If you leave it empty, Docshar generates a random one.
Will the protected PDF open on phones?
Yes. Any standard PDF reader on Android, iPhone, Windows or Mac will ask for the password and open it.
Try it now
Lock your PDF with a password in seconds.