Password Protect PDF Files To Keep Them Private and Secure

Portable Document Format, commonly known as PDF, is a file format that allows computer users to represent electronic documents in an autonomous manner. In other words, whether it is used on an advanced iOS business laptop or a homely PC desktop, a PDF file performs similarly across operating systems, programming software and hardware. Simply put, a PDF file looks exactly the same regardless of the IT environment and platform in which it is accessed. This is PDF’s greatest feature and earned it tremendous popularity among file formats and an impressive market presence.

Given its increasing global usage, like all other sensitive files, it is important to keep PDF files safe with reliable password protection. In this article, I introduce a couple of efficient ways for password protecting PDF files.

There are a couple of different methods for password protecting a PDF file for free. Password protection can be done either with a customized software package or with an online service via a website. Below, I list two tools that utilize these methods in a variety of ways to assure reliable password protection for PDF files.

The first tool is a free PDF creator program named PrimoPDF. Primo is, in essence, a format converter. Once downloaded and installed, Primo shortcut appears on the desktop and a user can ‘drag and drop’ files onto the shortcut in order to convert them into PDF format. For the password protection function, users need to double click the shortcut. Once PrimoPDF options menu appears, the next step is to click on the ‘change’ button in ‘PDF Security’ row. Now you can set a password and a whole host of other specifications for the next document to be converted. Primo allows users to use the same password for all PDF documents converted through it. You just need to click the ‘Always use these settings’ box in the bottom left hand corner.

The second tool is a strictly online service named PDFProtect. Naturally, PDFProtect does not require installation. Given that your PDF files are ready to be password protected, it is a more convenient tool. On the other hand, users will need a reliable internet connection as PDF files have to be uploaded and downloaded back within a short period of time. PDFProtect.net is a user friendly site. All you have to do is browse for your PDF file, type a complex password for your file and select the strength of encryption as ‘High’ or ‘Low’. Encryption service can be a little tricky as ‘high’ level of encryption sometimes causes incompatibility issues. It is up to users to try and see which option works better for them. After pressing ‘Protect’ at the bottom of the page, PDFProtect uploads the file and, in due time, produces a password protected PDF file.

These are only a couple of useful tools available online and I hope it helps those interested.