Password-protect a PDF. Stay in control when you send it
Turn on password protection in document properties, then export. AES-256 encryption runs locally in your browser. Editing and export are free and unlimited. Free adds an “Edited with PDFScene.com” watermark; Pro exports without it.
Steps
- Import the PDF into PDF Scene and review the pages.
- Open Properties → Document and enable Password.
- Enter the open password, confirm it, then export as PDF.
- Reopen the exported file: the reader will ask for the password before showing the content.
An open password is not every access control
The password requested by PDF Scene prevents opening the exported PDF. It does not protect an already unlocked copy, your computer, a duplicate sent elsewhere, or content visible while you work.
Use a unique secret and transmit it separately. For regulated documents, also check your organization’s encryption and key-management requirements.
Test the protection
Close the tab or reader, reopen the exported PDF, and confirm that it asks for the password. Test a backup copy too: a misconfigured lock should not be discovered after delivery.
The Free watermark is not a security control. It identifies Free output; Pro or a one-off clean export removes it.
What happens locally
The PDF and password are used in the browser to prepare output; the file is not uploaded to PDF Scene for encryption.
The result’s privacy then depends on how you store and share it. Do not save the password in the same location as the PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Is password protection free?
Yes. You can protect PDF exports on Free and Pro. Free adds a watermark; €2.99 = 1 clean export; Pro = unlimited without watermark.
Do my files leave my device?
No. Encryption runs locally in the browser.
What kind of password is this?
An open password: recipients must enter it to view the PDF. Use a password that is not sent in the same channel as the file (email, chat, etc.).