It’s easy to password protect a PDF on a Mac.

A woman uses a laptop to password protect a PDF.

You can protect sensitive info on a PDF with a password using a simple process from Adobe Acrobat online services.

Encrypting PDF files on a Mac helps you sleep better knowing your file is protected from unauthorized visitors. No one means for important files to get in the wrong hands, but when they do, the consequences can be devastating. Luckily password protecting a PDF on a Mac can be done in a few simple steps.

Learn how easy it is to password protect PDFs on a Mac that contain private content and more.

Benefits of password protection for PDFs on a Mac.

There are many benefits of using password protection for PDFs on a Mac. When you learn how to secure a PDF, you lessen the chance of important and personal information getting in the wrong hands. Whether this is a family member who shares your Mac with you and uses your home document management system, or a hacker attempting to steal private data, it is better to be safe than sorry when dealing with your own and client’s information. Password protection on a Mac ensures the right people are accessing the right data at the right time.

Reasons for PDF password protection on Macs.

Work-related, personal, financial, and other important documents often contain information you don’t want to fall into unauthorized hands. A report may have private strategic plans that your company plans to implement. Or you may want to change investments with a financial advisor, and the form has your account info in it. You never know who could have access to your files, so it is best to be proactive in securing your documents than dealing with data loss later on. When you handle a client’s personal information, they trust that their information is safe with you. If private data gets in the wrong hands, it can hurt you and your company’s reputation.

How to password protect a PDF with Preview.

With Preview, you can password protect your PDFs with these simple steps.

  1. In the Preview app, open a PDF.
  2. Choose File > Export.
  3. Click the Permissions button, then select Require Password To Open Document. Enter a password, then retype to verify.
  4. Type a password in the Owner Password section, then retype it to verify. It can be the same or different from the one you created in step 3.
  5. Click Apply, then Save.
    • Note: Close your document and reopen it to test out your new password-protected PDF.

How to password protect a PDF on a Mac.

Acrobat online easily creates a secure PDF for you.

  1. To begin, click “Select a file” to navigate to your file’s location or drag and drop your PDF into the drop zone.
  2. In the box that appears, type a strong password into the first field. To confirm it, retype the new password into the second field.
  3. Then, simply click “Set password.”
  4. You can now download the file, or sign in to Acrobat online or another sign-in service to share it with others. When a recipient tries to open the file, the PDF will prompt them to enter the new password.

Tip: To create a strong password, it’s best to use a combination of the following:

Both Mac Preview and Adobe Acrobat online are free options to password protect your PDFs. Your document is secure because this process will encrypt PDF files, leaving you more confident that only the intended recipients can see what’s inside. Explore what more you can do with Acrobat online services today.