A Guide on How to Lock a PDF

By locking a PDF, you are protecting it from any unknown access. This article will cover why lock a PDF file, tools to lock PDF, must-have features in a lock PDF tool, how to lock a PDF file, and everything in between.

Once again, welcome to our blog! Today, we’ll be taking you guys on a journey on how to lock a PDF file. This guide will answer all your questions related to the topic without complicating things too much.

So, let’s first start with the basics.

What’s PDF

Portable Document Format or PDF is a versatile file extension created by Adobe back in 1992. Thanks to its independence of software, operating system, or hardware, this format gives users a reliable way to share and view their documents.

PDF is an open standard, meaning it can be viewed and shared on any system regardless of its software/OS/hardware. To put it simply, a PDF file would look the same on any supportable system.

The International Organization of Standardization (ISO) maintains the PDF format. Here are some of the things you can insert in a PDF doc:

-Links
-Buttons
-Form Fields
-Audio
-Video
-Business Logic
-Signature
-Password

Businesses, institutes, schools, and, you name it, every industry uses PDF as their primary file format to view and share any document.

Why Lock a PDF File?

But hey, why would you want to lock PDF in the first place? Well, the gist of the deed is to block the access of any user that isn’t authorized to view or share the PDF. Here are some scenarios that’ll help you understand the tool’s use more easily:

Imagine you work in a financial company. Now, you want to pass on some critical information in the form of a PDF doc to specific bodies under and over you. It wouldn’t be wise just to send the document without any protection. Why? Simply because if it accidentally ends up in the hands of unauthorized parties, things can get havoc for you and your company. That’s where a PDF password protection tool would come into play.

For instance, you are a teacher in a university, and you are given the task to fine-tune the copies of upcoming examination papers. Once you are all done revising and setting up things, it’s time for you to send the docs to a couple of members. Without password protecting the PDFs, it would be quite a dangerous play as if someone unauthorized gets hold of them; you are in a complete mess.

So, there you have it. If you pass on a PDF document that’s only meant to be viewed by a couple of eyes, you should lock it.

Tools to Lock PDF

To lock PDF files, there are specific tools. Here’s a quick walkthrough of the two main types of PDF lock tools:

Free

Firstly, we have free tools. These PDF lock tools don’t require you to pay money up-front. However, most of them need you to fill out a captcha, watch an idea or fill out a survey form.

Similarly, the majority of lock PDF tools are available online as it makes them easily accessible anywhere and anytime. Furthermore, offline PDF password programs are also available - they are mostly made for the Windows platform.

Paid

Next up, we have the paid ones. They provide the most secure and reliable way to lock PDF files. Some of them are available online, while others are served as offline programs on platforms Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux.

Adobe Acrobat is one of the most popular paid tools that lets you lock a PDF file both using the online and offline program.

Locking a PDF With PDFBear’s Tool

We are done with all the basics! Now, let’s dive in and see how to use our in-house tool to lock PDF.

How to Lock a PDF File:

1. Visit the official website of PDFBear located at www.pdfbear.com. Wait for the website to load and then scroll all the way down.

2. Click on Protect PDF option located on the bottom left side of your screen.

3. On the next screen, click on the blue Select a File… button.

4. Then, select and upload the PDF file you want to lock with a password.
   Note: You can’t upload multiple files at once if you are using the free version of PDFBear.

5. Wait for a few seconds to let PDFBear load the file. Then, enter your desired password and make sure that the meter lights up till the last block of green color.

6. Next, repeat your password in the second input field.

7. After that, click on the blue ENCRYPT PDF button.

8. Wait for PDFBear to protect your PDF file/files with the password you have chosen.

9. Lastly, click on the blue Download button to save your newly protected PDF file/files on your system.

Final Words

Wasn’t that too easy to lock PDF files? Well, we at PDFBear had made it that way as our goal is to make PDFing better for everyone.

Speaking of better, have you guys checked out numerous other helpful PDF tools on our website? If not, try them today! Also, there’s a 14-day free trial you can avail to get the PRO version of PDFBear.

So, until next time, happy PDFing!