I need to email a PDF with salary information. I want to protect it with a password. Is there a free way?
How can I add a password to a PDF without buying Acrobat?
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Paula Shaw October 21, 2026
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Yes, two good ways.
From Word: finish the document, choose File > Save As, select PDF, click Options, tick Encrypt the document with a password, and set a password. The PDF is saved with a password to open it.
On a Mac: open the PDF in Preview, choose File > Export, tick Encrypt and enter a password.
Share the password through a different channel than the email, for example a phone call or text message. A password in the same email defeats the purpose.
Use a long password, not a short word. Remember that the password protects opening only if you set an open password. A permissions password only restricts printing and editing, and tools can bypass it.
Used the Word option. Works with Adobe Reader when I test it. Thanks.