Send confidential documents securely: PDFRoll encrypts your PDF with 256-bit AES, and without the password, no one can open it. You can also restrict printing, copying text or editing.
How it works
- Select the PDF.
- Choose a password and, if needed, restrictions.
- Click “Protect PDF”.
Frequently asked questions
What encryption is used?
256-bit AES, the strongest provided for by the PDF standard.
What happens if I forget the password?
The document can no longer be opened, so write it down. PDFRoll does not keep any copy of the password.
Does the recipient need to install any software?
No. The protected PDF opens in a regular PDF reader or a browser, which simply asks for the password.
Can I prevent printing or copying without an open password?
No. With PDFRoll, an open password is always required; restrictions are added on top of that protection.
Can I change the password of a PDF that is already protected?
Yes, in two steps: remove the protection with “Unlock PDF” by entering the old password, then protect the file again here.
How long should my password be?
PDFRoll requires at least 4 characters, but a longer password mixing letters, numbers and symbols is much harder to guess.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Everything happens in your browser: your documents never leave your device.
What the tool does
Choose a password, type it a second time in “Confirm password”, then click “Protect PDF”. The document is encrypted with 256-bit AES: this password will be required every time it is opened, in any PDF reader.
Under “Restrictions (optional)”, three checkboxes let you go further:
- “Prevent printing”
- “Prevent copying text”
- “Prevent editing”
The password must be at least 4 characters long. The resulting file has the “_protected” suffix.
When should you password-protect a PDF?
- Emailing a pay slip, an account statement or a medical record.
- Sharing a contract or a quote before it is signed.
- Sending ID documents for a rental application or an official request.
- Storing sensitive documents on a USB drive or a cloud storage service.
Tip: share the password through a different channel than the file, for example by text message or phone if the PDF is sent by email.
Good to know before protecting
- Write the password down: without it, the document can no longer be opened, and PDFRoll cannot recover it.
- Restrictions are honored by common PDF readers, but they mostly act as a deterrent: only the open password truly protects the content.
- A PDF that is already protected cannot be protected a second time: first remove its protection with “Unlock PDF”, then choose the new one.
- If the file is damaged, run it through “Repair PDF” first.
Encryption is done in your browser: neither the document nor the password is sent to a server.
Only want to hide part of it?
If you want to share a document while hiding only certain information, such as an account number or an address, the “Redact PDF” tool is a better fit: it permanently removes the selected areas, and the rest of the document stays readable by everyone.