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How to Password Protect Your PDF for Free

Create a PDF password in four simple steps. All you need to do is:

A document pointing to a lock to show how to encrypt a PDF file, representing password protection for PDF
  1. Click the Select a file button above or drag and drop a PDF into the drop zone.
  2. Enter a password, then retype to confirm it.
  3. Click Set password.
  4. Download the password-protected PDF document or sign into your free Adobe Acrobat account to share it with others.

Try our free PDF password protection tool

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Password protect PDF files in just a few clicks

Use the online PDF password protection tool from Adobe Acrobat to keep your files secure. Simply add a password to your PDF to restrict access.

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Protect sensitive content in your PDF

Handling personally identifiable information like dates of birth or addresses? Password protect your PDF using our online tools to ensure only those you authorise can access the document.

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Restrict unauthorised people from accessing your PDF file

Want to make sure your files are locked down to unauthorised viewers? Use Adobe Acrobat online tools for password protection to keep prying eyes locked out. Only those you have provided with the password can access your PDF file.

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Create a strong password for your PDF

Passwords should be strong and secure – otherwise what's the point? Create a password using Adobe Acrobat online tools and we'll use established password standards to tell you whether it's up to standard.

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No need to install any software

Need to get to work fast? With Adobe Acrobat, all you need to access our online PDF tools is the internet. Launch Google Chrome or Safari and get to work. Drag, drop and away you go. Forget about downloading additional software.

A PDF protected with trusted password security

PDF password security you can trust

Adobe created the PDF. As the inventor and pioneer of this file format, we know best how to keep it safe and secure. Password-protect your documents for free using Adobe Acrobat online tools for added peace of mind.

Questions? We have answers.

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