Protect a PDF with a password
Encrypt a PDF with AES-256 so only people with the password can open it.
Mae's Protect PDF tool encrypts your entire file with AES-256-GCM, deriving the key from your password with PBKDF2-SHA256 (200,000 rounds), and delivers it inside a small ZIP. Standard PDF-native passwords can't be written from a browser, so Mae protects the file with real, strong encryption instead — anyone without the password sees only ciphertext.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open the protected file in Adobe Reader?
Not directly — it's an AES-encrypted .enc file inside a ZIP, not a PDF with a native password. Use Mae's Unlock PDF tool with the same password to get your readable PDF back.
What if I forget my password?
There's no recovery — the file is encrypted with your password alone, so keep it somewhere safe.