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6 Ways to Lock PDF Online Efficiently, Also with Offline PDF Locker

While password protection has been around us for decades, its demand and value are multiplied by manifolds due to frequent data breaches and cyber-attacks. If you want to lock PDF online but have no idea where to begin, then this guide is for you.

As the world moves more and more online, the importance of security increases. We all want to protect our information, whether it be personal or professional. And while there are several ways to do this, one of the most effective is password-protecting your PDFs. Locking a PDF takes a few seconds, provided you use the most appropriate tool. Simply set a password, choose the encryption level, and then save the file to keep prying eyes at bay.

Here, we will explore some of the most effective ways to lock PDFs online. By password-protecting your PDFs, you can ensure that only those with the correct password can view or edit your document. This adds an extra layer of security to your information and helps you rest easy knowing that your data is safe.

Part 1. Preparations Before You Lock PDF Online

Knowing that your PDF is locked and secure can give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on other tasks knowing that your document is safe and sound. However, you should do a few things before you lock PDF files online. Read them thoroughly to avoid any glitches later on.

  • Backup your original PDF

It's always a good idea to back up your original file if something goes wrong with the lock PDF process. This way, you can always revert to the original version if necessary. There are a few different ways to back up your PDF file, such as exporting the PDF to another format or saving the PDF to an online storage service. It will keep a PDF copy stored safely online, so you can access it from anywhere.

You can also email the PDF to yourself. This is a quick and easy way to create a backup since most email providers have decent file size limits. Just make sure you delete the email once you've downloaded the PDF to your computer.

  • Set a Strong Password

When it comes to PDF security, one of the most important things you can do is set a strong password. Choose a password that is difficult to guess. Avoid using easily guessed words or phrases like your birthday or your loved ones' name.

Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, and make sure your password is at least 8 characters long. By following these tips, you can create a strong password that will help keep your PDF files safe from unauthorized access.

  • Save the pdf password to a secure place.

Setting a password isn't enough to ensure PDF security; it is also important to keep it safe and secure to avoid unauthorized access. You can either record the password to the memo or write it in your private diary or anything where you find safe and sound.

  • Always set different Open and Permission Passwords.

When locking PDFs online, it's always advised to set different open and permission passwords. Anyone who wants to view the document must enter the open password, while those who want to edit or print the document need to put in the permission password.

This may seem like a hassle, but it's actually an excellent security measure. Having two different passwords makes it much harder for someone to access your document. And if they manage to get past one password, they'll still need to deal with the other.

Part 2. Top 6 Online PDF Lockers to Encrypt PDFs

Now that you are aware of the preparation to make before you encrypt PDF online, it's time to enlist the 6 top-notch PDF lockers to carry out the encryption process. Read them to the end and pick the option that matches your requirements fully.

1. HiPDF

Counted among the leading PDF Lockers, HiPDF is an all-in-one online PDF tool to manage your documents. It features a vast library of 39 PDF and image solutions to fulfill all your PDF-related needs. Whether you want to convert, merge, edit, compress, protect, or split, this tool has got your back.

hipdf online tool

HiPDF is an award-winning PDF editor that offers free services to users without requiring any registration. It is a safe online tool that assures you to delete your uploaded file within 60 minutes.

Want to lock PDF Online? Turn to HiPDF's Protect Tool and get it done in a few seconds. The tool process your file in its cloud storage; hence, you don't have to worry about your system's performance and space.

password protect pdf

Here's how you can do it.

  • Add a PDF file to protect and wait a few seconds for file extraction.
  • Enter a strong password and tap the "Download" button to save the encrypted file to your system.

2. FoxyUtils

The second-best tool to initiate the PDF lock online process is FoxyUtils. It is a collection of time-saving and simple-to-use tools to handle your PDF files effectively. With FoxyUtils, you can edit, merge, protect, compress, convert, and split PDF files in seconds.

To password-protect your PDF, you can easily visit the "Protect PDF" tool and use a simple drag-and-drop approach to import your file. It is a browser-based application; hence, it works through all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

lock pdf online

Follow the steps to lock your PDF online with FoxyUtils.

  • Upload the file you wish to protect.
  • Specify the password and permissions.
  • Click the "Protect PDF" button to finish the task.

3. PDF2GO

Yet another online pdf locker you should go for is PDF2GO. A free online PDF converter, this tool is mainly designed to edit and convert PDFs online in your browser. However, it offers several other tools to make PDF handling a breeze.

Turn to PDF2GO's "Protect PDF" tool and secure your documents from modifications and unauthorized access. It allows you to set both an Open and Permission password to amp up the security of your PDF file.

pdf2go

Here's how you can do it.

  • Import the PDF file to protect.
  • Set Open and Permission Password. Make some optional settings, such as Rasterize.
  • Click on the "Start" button, and it's done.

4. Online2PDF

Are you searching for a quick and straightforward option to lock your PDF online? Move to the Online2PDF tool and get the job done in a few seconds. Unlike other PDF editors, it is mainly launched to convert PDF files to other formats or vice versa. But, it features some other tools, so you can easily handle your documents easily.

online2pdf

Online2PDF is a fast, easy, and free PDF tool that runs across all modern browsers and platforms. Follow the instructions below and lock PDF online using Online2PDF.

  • Import the file you wish to protect and click the "Protection" option at the bottom and select the security options for which you wish to set a password.
  • Tick the boxes and enter the strong password to protect your file.
  • Tap the "Convert" button and wait for a few seconds to complete the process.

5. Sejda

The next best tool to encrypt the PDF file is Sejda. It automatically deletes the uploaded file after 2 hours, thus ensuring high-end safety and privacy. Sejda offers both free and paid services. While free services allow you to upload documents up to 200 pages or 30MB, there's no such limitation for paid users.

sejda

You can use their Encrypt and Protect PDF tool to enter passwords and permissions for your PDF file. Follow the steps below and keep your file safe and sound.

  • Upload your files.
  • Set a Strong Password.
  • Select optional PDF restrictions.
  • Click the Encrypt PDF button to save your changes.

6. Adobe Acrobat Online

Let's wrap up the list with yet another premium option, Adobe Acrobat Online. It is a one-stop platform to edit your PDF files, merge multiple files, extract pages, convert files, and perform many other PDF-related functions.

Simply open the Protect tool and add a strong password to restrict unauthorized access. The best thing about using the tool is that it lets you know whether your chosen password is weak, medium, or strong, so you can set it accordingly.

adobe acrobat online

Follow the guide below to carry out the pdf encryption online process with Adobe.

  • Select a File and enter a password.
  • Retype it and tap the "Set Password" button.
  • Download the encrypted file.

Part 3. Rather Lock PDF Offline? All-in-one PDF Solution for You

While Online PDF Lockers are productive and easy to use, they still raise certain red flags in terms of data safety. That's where offline tools come into the role. Turn to the Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor and lock your PDF within a few steps.

Here's mentioned a step-by-step guide to executing the process.

Step 1Upload the File

Launch the tool on your system and click the "Open PDF" button to import the PDF file you wish to protect. Alternatively, you can also use the drag-and-drop approach to add the file.

add a file
Step 2Begin the Process

Once you are done adding a PDF file, go to the Toolbar and click on the Protect option. Now, select the "Set Password" button from the sub-menu, and a new window will appear on the screen.

Now, you can add both Open and Permission passwords to save your file. Enter two strong passwords and select encryption levels, such as 128-bit AES, 256-bit AES, and 128-bit RC4. If you are satisfied with whatever password you've entered, tap the Save button, and it's done.

set the password

Bonus: In addition to protecting your PDF file from unauthorized access, PDFelement has multiple features to handle your PDFs, like editing, converting, annotating, translating, and many more. With this tool, you can simply add links, watermarks, and images to your PDF file while converting them to other formats and vice versa.

wondershare pdfelement

Moreover, PDFelement allows you to fill existing forms in the PDF file, along with creating new ones, based on your preferences. You can also redact PDF files to black out sensitive information. This tool features a simple yet powerful interface, which makes it an ideal choice for both beginners and professional users alike.

That's all about the best ways to lock PDFs online. We hope our guide has helped you protect your valuable information from any unwanted access. You can either use online tools or an offline application to execute the encryption task. However, make sure that whatever option you'll choose must be safe and fulfill your requirements.

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