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Protect PDF

Encrypt a PDF with a password so only you can open it.

Drop files here or click to browse

Your files are processed privately.

Password-protect your PDF with real AES encryption

Protect PDF encrypts your document with a password using strong 128/256-bit AES encryption — the same standard used in banking. Once protected, the file is unreadable gibberish to anyone without the password: email interception, misdirected sends and lost USB drives stop being disasters. Set the password, download the encrypted file, and share the password through a separate channel.

Encryption, not obscurity

This is true cryptographic protection built into the PDF standard and enforced by every reader — not a soft "please don't open" flag. We process the file transiently and never store your document or your password, so the only person who can unlock the file is whoever you give the password to. Choose a strong, unique password and keep it safe: genuine encryption has no backdoor.

How to protect pdf online

  1. 1

    Upload your PDF.

  2. 2

    Set an open password.

  3. 3

    Download the encrypted PDF.

Why use Codesala's free protect pdf tool

AES 128/256-bit

Bank-grade encryption enforced by all PDF readers.

Open password

Nobody opens the file without the password you set.

No storage

Files and passwords are never saved on our side.

Universal compatibility

Encrypted PDFs open in Acrobat, browsers, phones.

Instant processing

Encrypt and download in seconds.

Completely free

Real security without a subscription.

Popular ways people use Protect PDF

  • Email salary slips or financial statements safely
  • Protect client contracts in transit
  • Secure medical records before sharing
  • Lock exam papers until distribution
  • Protect ID scans stored in the cloud

Protect PDF — frequently asked questions

What encryption is used?

Strong 128/256-bit AES encryption via Ghostscript.

Can you recover my password?

No — we never store your file or password. Keep it safe.

How secure is a password-protected PDF?

With a strong password and AES encryption, extremely secure — brute-forcing a good password is computationally infeasible. Weak passwords ("1234") remain the only real vulnerability.

What happens if I forget the PDF password?

There is no recovery — that's the point of real encryption. Store the password in a password manager.

Can I remove the password later?

Yes, use our Unlock PDF tool with the current password to get an unprotected copy.

Your files stay yours

Files sent to Protect PDF are processed transiently and deleted immediately after processing — nothing is stored, logged or shared. All Codesala PDF tools are free, with no signup, no watermarks and no file limits.

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