Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by Faisal Khan
People protect PDF files with passwords for the same reasons we protect our devices, apps, and folders – to keep away the nosy Nancys of the world!
With the ever-growing appreciation of PDFs’ versatility, more businesses choose this document format to save and share sensitive industry information. If these details are accessed by unauthorized parties and leaked, it could cause privacy concerns, damage to the company’s reputation, and other severe consequences. Now how do we guarantee the protection of these files’ contents?
Safeguarding your portable document format files with secure passwords is one way to go! So we will discuss how to add a password to PDF with LuminPDF.
Why add password protection to a PDF document
Here are reasons to add passwords to PDF records:
Security
You can protect pdf from editing with passwords, so only approved individuals open, copy, edit, or print your documents.
Compliance
This is for industries that handle delicate data. Here password-protected files are necessary to comply with regulations for safeguarding company and user details.
Intellectual property protection
You can now guard your intellectual property with passwords to protect pdf from copying or distributing without your consent.
Choosing the right PDF editor
With the plethora of online PDF editors, how should one decide which option is ideal? Well, here are some key features your PDF editor must have to allow you to edit and manipulate PDF documents seamlessly:
User-friendly interface
Most PDF editors offer a boutique of features and tools. But you should go for a PDF editor with a user-friendly interface that allows you to navigate the platform and find the necessary tools easily.
Editing features
Users often prefer an editor that removes the hassles of editing a PDF. An ideal editor would provide extensive editing capabilities for text or images. You should also be able to lock pdf from editing and add comments, annotations, or bookmarks for a wholesome editing experience.
Conversion
Your editor should allow file format conversion. So whether it’s PDF to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, you shouldn’t have to look for another tool.
Security
For industries that manage delicate data, the editor should allow users to secure PDFs with fixed PINs, digital signatures, or other reliable security measures.
Collaboration
This is an essential feature for remote teams or international groups. Choose a good PDF editor with features that allow team members to collaborate on files, monitor revisions, and review comments.
Integration
If you work with software programs and services, like cloud storage providers and email services you work with, choose a PDF editor that seamlessly integrates with your existing system.
Price
A great PDF editor should have flexible licensing options at reasonable prices with different ranges of features for users’ unique needs.
Setting up password protection
Let’s see how password protection works with LuminPDF:
One: Open the portable document format file you want to password-protect in LuminPDF.
Two: Tap the “Security” tab by the left of the sidebar.
Three: Choose “Password” from the options on the pull-down menu under “Security Method.”
Four: Pick your password to open the document in the “Document Open Password” box.
Five: Pick a different password for the “Permissions Password” box to edit.
Six: Select the permissions settings – allow or disallow printing, copying, and editing.
Seven: Tap “Apply”.
Eight: Save!
Note that after setting the password PDF, you must provide the set password to open and edit the protected file.
Choosing the right password
Developing an easy-to-remember yet robust password is doable, and we will show you how in a jiffy!
You can choose a personal phrase or mantra you will always remember or the release date of your favorite drink. You can also use a tagline, quote, or song title – there are several options for pdf password protection online.
Then choose the first letter, first two letters, or last letter of the words in the lyrics, quote, or phrase; either way, ensure to follow these tips:
- Use an unpredictable blend of characters.
- Don’t use personal details like your name, date of birth, or address. These details are easy to remember but also easy to guess.
- Don’t use one password across all your accounts, so if one is compromised, it doesn’t affect the other accounts.
- The longer your password is, the harder it is to guess, so target at least 12 alternating characters.
- Try a passphrase if using a string of characters may be hard to remember. You can easily remember these words, but it will be hard to guess since it’s long.
- Enable two-factor authentication for that extra layer of security to your accounts, like a unique code sent to your phone or email.
- Lastly, change your pdf locker passwords every few months.
Adding additional security features
With the security of sensitive files, one can’t be too careful. Besides having a solid password protect PDF, you can also consider extra security features:
Two-Factor Authentication
This system requires a second validation step to grant access to a document; usually, a unique code will be sent to your phone or email. That ensures you can only access the file if you enter the correct code.
Biometric Authentication
With biometric authentication, you can add unique physical characteristics, like fingerprints or facial recognition, to lock PDFs.
Firewalls
Firewalls are security systems that constantly monitor and control network traffic, automatically limiting unauthorized access to your computer.
Anti-Virus Software
Viruses threaten the security of devices and the folders within. So ensure to get robust anti-virus software to spot and remove viruses.
Testing the password protection
After choosing, test your password protect PDF file to see that it functions appropriately.
You can use a password checker to check for strength based on length, complexity, and uniqueness. You can also use a breach checker to check that it is not leaked in previous data breaches. It can spot weak or compromised passwords you have to change.
There’s also a penetration test that involves the simulation of a cyber-attack on your network or system. The simulation often aims to spot vulnerabilities and weaknesses and how to improve them.
Then if you enabled multi-factor authentication on your accounts, you could test by trying to log in to your account from a different device or location. If the authentication feature is triggered, then you are sure it works.
