The PDF format is one of the most widespread ways of sharing documents worldwide. The standard used has the advantage that when shared on any device it has the same form, so it cannot happen that the document looks different on one device than on another. For this reason, a large number of people work with PDF files and it is impossible to avoid handling them.

Advantages of PDF Format

The PDF format is still maintained and updated with new features. Below are some of the major advantages that make PDF one of the best formats.

• Compatibility
• Easy to View and Replace
• Supports Digital Signatures and Certificates
• Can be Compressed to Reduce File Size
• Password Protectable
• Format Convertible (e.g. PDF to DWG)

Any PDF file can be locked with a password. There are different levels of security that can be set to protect a document containing sensitive information. This way, you can protect important documents by restricting certain functions, such as printing, editing, and copying the contents of a PDF file.

Password Protect A PDF File

Are you planning to email or share a PDF file that contains confidential information in the cloud? Or maybe you store important PDF files on a USB drive? To keep your data safe, it is a good idea to password protect a PDF. You can do this using several methods.

File Security by Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office offers its users the ability to create password-protected PDF files. The option to set a password can be found in several versions of Office, as well as in the Office 365 subscription package for companies or home users, which is very useful for remote work.

PDF Encryption Software

You can also set a password on a PDF file using a free program downloaded from the Internet, such as SwifDoo PDF or Adobe Acrobat. They encrypt various types of documents and are usually easy to use.

Before you decide to password-protect your confidential PDF file, consider which of the PDF encryption options will be most convenient for you and will provide your data with full protection. Also, remember that if you forget the password to your document, you will lose access to it. For this reason, it is a good idea to use a password manager that makes it easier to create, store, and fill in strong passwords.

PDF Encryption Online

There are also other easy-to-use online applications online that allow you to encrypt PDF files. To secure a file, you just go to the appropriate website and select the file for which you want to set a password.

The disadvantage of this method is that your important document, which you are trying to additionally secure, is saved on a server unknown to you during the password creation operation.

Is Encryption Effective?

Encryption is a much more effective method of securing files than, for example, just setting a password. Nevertheless, it is worth knowing how to password a PDF. It can be useful for securing less important documents or data.

In any case, it is important to use strong passwords and encryption keys, as well as remember other basic security rules, such as not sharing passwords with others and regularly updating software.

In Conclusion

Ultimately, it's up to you which method you use - you need to determine what your needs are and what the value of the protected content is. If you want to quickly and easily secure your data, passwords are a good idea, and you can also purchase a pro PDF program such as SwifDoo PDF Pro. However, if you want higher security and protection of PDF files from hackers, then encryption will be more appropriate.