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21 December 2020  Jennifer Thatcher  Technology Manager of Test Dept.
Last update by Emma Johnson at 21 December 2020

Summary
PDF can be seen anywhere in our daily life. Especially when we send and receive the confidential files, PDF is usually the first choice. In this essay, we will talk about how to encrypt a PDF file for free.



Why We Encrypt A PDF File?

The encrypted PDF file is a way to protect our privacy. The unauthorized people cannot easily copy, print and view the contents. How to encrypt a PDF file for free? Here are some ways.

How to Encrypt A PDF File?

Method 1: Use Renee File Protector to Encrypt A File to be Sent

Since the formats of many compressed files are public, such as zip, rar and 7z, there are many decryption tools. We recommend the completely private encryption software –Renee File Protector. This software can encrypt the local disk and the USB flash drive, lock and hide files and folders. It is very easy and safe for you to encrypt files.
Since the algorithm is totally private, no cracker can work for this software. Next, we will show you how to encrypt a PDF file with this software.
Renee File Protector - Overall Protection to Your Data

Easy to use Few clicks for whole folder encryption process.

Overall protection Users can hide, lock or get other protection to files in local disk or USB disk.

High Security Classified encryption method prevents data from leakage.

Compression transfer Support to compress and encrypt any files to secure the file transfer security.

Advanced self protection Provide self

Easy to use Few clicks for whole folder encryption process.

Overall protection Users can hide, lock or get other protection to files in local disk or USB disk.

High Security Classified encryption method prevents data from leakage.

Free TrialFree Trial 800 users have downloaded and protect data!
1. First, install and open Renee File Protector. Under [General], click on [Encrypt File] – [Add Files]. Then, select the target PDF file.

select encrypt function in folder encryption software
2. Select a way to encrypt. Generally, the “.exe” file may be forbidden by the service suppliers when you send it by mail. We suggest you encrypt the file to gfl.
encrypt pdf to gfl or exe with renee file protector
3. Set the storage position and the passcode.
set password for glf file with renee file protector
4. Here are the ways to decrypt files.
•gfl: Double click at the gfl file and set a folder to save the decrypted file in the computer installed with Renee File Protector.
•exe: Double click to open the exe file and set a folder to open.
5. Finally, enter the password to view the encrypted PDF file.
how to encrypt pdf with renee file protector

Method 2: Use Renee SecureSilo to Encrypt A File to be Modified

Renee SecureSilo is the professional encryption software. With the AES256 encryption algorithm, it can encrypt files to protect our private information. Users can create the virtual silo to save files and make access limitation.
Since the software is applied with the virtual encrypted disk, the files saved in the silo can be modified at any time. You can treat it as a unmovable USB.
Renee SecureSilo – Encrypt Confidential Data

Encrypt files in seconds Encrypt files with virtual encrypted disk and whole process can be finished in 1 second.

User friendly Concise interface helps users master the software in short time.

High Security AES256 encryption algorithm helps Renee Seecure Silo encrypt files confidentially.

Encrypt any Data Support to encrypt images, videos, Office documents and software.

Overall Data Protection Solution Protect data in USB disk/hide/disguise files/ Password wallet.

Easy to use Few clicks for whole encryption process.

User friendly Concise interface helps users master the software in short time.

Encrypt any Data Support to encrypt images, videos, Office documents and software.

Free TrialFree Trial 800 users have downloaded and protect data!
How to encrypt a PDF file with Renee SecureSilo:
1. Download and install Renee SecureSilo. Click on [Encrypt Files] – [Create Silo].
create a virtual disk in renee secure silo
2. Name for the silo and set the destination. Then, click on [Next] to go on.
name for the disk and set the storage position in renee secure silo
3. Set a password.
set a new password for the virtual disk in renee secure silo
4. Set the size of the silo.
select a size range for the virtual disk in renee secure silo
5. As the silo is created, place the PDF files into the silo.
save pdf files with renee securesilo
6. When you want to open or close the silo,
Open: Navigate to the .gpd silo and double click at it. Then, enter the password to unlock the silo.
Or, get into the software and enter the password to open.
click to open silo
Close: Fail to exit the program unless you close all silos.
click to close all silo

Method 3: Use WinZip

WinZip also contains the encryption function. Here are the steps about how to encrypt a PDF file with WinZip.
1. Download and install WinZip. Click on [Encrypt] – [Add], and then select the PDF file. Next, set a passcode and save the compressed file.

2. Besides, you can use Ziperello to crack the WinZip-compressed file by brute force.
Limit: Many tools can crack the WinZip files. It is not safe enough to encrypt files with this software.

Method 4: Use Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is the powerful PDF software published by Adobe. Next, we will talk about how to encrypt a PDF file with this software.
1. First, open the target PDF file. Then, click on [File] – [Properties] – the tab [Security] – [Password Security] in the option [Security Methods].
how to encrypt a pdf file
2. Set a password for the file.
3. If you want to crack the file encrypted by this software, you can download PDF Password Remover and follow the tips to crack the password.
how to encrypt and decrypt a pdf file
Limit: The files encrypted by Acrobat can be easily cracked.

Conclusions

From the above contents, we’ve known about how to encrypt a PDF file. WinZip and Adobe Acrobat are not safe enough because the files encrypted by these applications can be easily cracked. Therefore, we recommend you use Renee File Protector to encrypt files. If you need to encrypt the files which should be modified at any time, Renee SecureSilo fits you better.