Encrypt PDF Files

PDF encryption: how to encrypt PDF files without Acrobat or passwords

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“Fantastic product… outstanding support.”

“We would recommend Locklizard to others”

“The clear leader for PDF DRM protection”

“Our ebook sales have gone through the roof”

“Simple & secure – protects IPR from theft”

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Safeguard PDF Encryption Software: securely encrypt PDF files without Acrobat or passwords

How to encrypt a PDF without Passwords

Encrypting a PDF or multiple PDF files is simple and secure with Safeguard PDF Security.

To encrypt PDF files, right-click on them in Windows File Explorer and select the menu option ‘Make Secure PDF’.

Strong PDF Encryption with DRM controls

Safeguard PDF security takes PDF encryption to the next security level.  It encrypts PDFs with US Gov strength AES encryption to prevent unauthorized access, and applies DRM to control what authorized users can do with your PDF files:

Safeguard provides strong PDF encryption with total document control:

  • PDFs are locked to individual devices
  • content is only ever decrypted in memory
  • there are no passwords to enter or manage, or for users to share or forget

protect pdf file

   Is Adobe PDF encryption secure?

Why should NOT use passwords to encrypt PDF files

  1. users can share passwords and thus ‘protected’ PDFs with others
  2. passwords are easily removed with password recovery software
  3. Adobe PDF permissions (stop copy, print, editing) can be easily bypassed or removed
  4. once the user has the password they can decrypt the PDF and do what they like with it

“I just wanted to let you know how impressed I am by your PDF security product.

I was looking for a way to protect my GCSE revision books (which I write and sell online) and prevent unauthorised distribution.

The whole system works flawlessly, my customers love it and appreciate the fact that I can alter their order (for example authorising more prints) from my end.

So thanks again for providing such a great PDF encryption product that does exactly what it promises.”

Protect your IPR

See why thousands of companies use Locklizard to safeguard their documents and increase revenue streams.

“By using Safeguard PDF DRM we are immediately cutting the costs of distributing by printing and mailing. In that sense the software pays for itself quickly.”

PDF Encryption Articles

Learn more about PDF encryption:

  How to encrypt a PDF
  PDF Security and Encryption
  Encryption is not enough for DRM

Encrypting PDF files

What is encryption and PDF encryption?

Encryption is the use of a mathematical system (algorithm) to make information secret from anyone not authorized to use it.  Encryption uses a secret key to scramble information in files so that only those with the correct key can view them.  PDF encryption is therefore the encryption of PDF files, the result of which is an encrypted PDF file.

Encryption keys are sometimes taken from passwords, but passwords are a poor choice for encryption keys – see PDF password protection.  It does not matter what the strength of the encryption algorithm is if the implementation is not secure.

Why encrypt PDF files & documents?

There are many reasons why you would want to encrypt PDF files.

The information in the PDF document is confidential and only a restricted number of people should be able to see it. This could include training courses, price lists, bid documents, takeover plans, healthcare records, and so on. The information is valuable – you sell it – perhaps a newsletter, or an analyst’s report, or a consulting report or a periodical or a book. You obviously don’t want to give it away!

If you don’t encrypt the PDF file then anyone can read it and the value of your information is lost.  But if you are going to encrypt PDF files then you need to use PDF encryption software that uses a reliable encryption method.

Locklizard – the best PDF encryption software to encrypt PDF files securely

Encrypt PDF files without passwords or Acrobat: control access and use

Locklizard provides the best PDF encryption software, protecting your PDF files from unauthorized access and use with US Gov strength PDF encryption, licensing and DRM controls.

  • Our DRM PDF Security products enable you to share documents securely without insecure passwords or plug-ins, and enforce access, location, expiry, and usage controls.
  • Batch encrypt PDF files, automate protection, and add DRM controls using our command line PDF encryption.
  • Unlike Adobe Permissions which can be easily removed, our DRM controls persistently protect your PDF files and enable you to revoke PDFs at any time regardless of where they are.
  • We don’t password protect PDFs because they are not a secure method of protecting PDF files.  Instead we use transparent and secure key management to transfer and store keys.
  • Our DRM technology ensures your encrypted PDF files remain safe regardless of where your documents are located.  No keys are exposed to users or interfaces and documents are only ever decrypted in memory.
  • Our easy to use administration system provides simple user and document management, and unlike passwords, keys are securely and transparently managed for you.

See our customer testimonials and case studies to see why thousands of organizations use Locklizard PDF security to securely share PDF documents and sell PDF files securely.

Customer Testimonials
  • We needed to deliver e-book versions of our handbooks while not compromising on security and digital rights.  Safeguard PDF security is easy to use and intuitive.

    The implementation was painless and we now have a greener, more secure way of distributing training manuals.
  • Locklizard’s PDF protection is exactly as described – the features are highly effective and I would give it 5 stars.

    I would recommend Locklizard to others - their security is simple to use and fit for purpose.  It meets common needs of businesses who have information they want to protect.
  • We would be happy to recommend Locklizard to any company needing a flexible way to secure PDF files.

    Safeguard PDF Security has provided us with a very workable solution for sharing of information in a secure fashion.  The support has been excellent and very accommodating.
  • We can cut accounts for a user five minutes before his class starts and he is ready to go. Happy smiling customer, while we still have security and personalized watermarking.

    I have immense respect for the product and Locklizard provide great customer satisfaction and service.
  • We would recommend Safeguard to other companies for its security, cost and ease of use. It does what we expected it to do and more.

    Ease of use is a bonus and the implementation was very easy.  The product manual is excellent and Locklizard staff are very accommodating.
  • We sell a highly valued educational product in an open and competitive market so it was important to ensure we had effective security to protect our digital rights.

    We highly recommend Locklizard - a professional company with a competitive and professional PDF Security product.
  • We would absolutely recommend both Locklizard as a company, and Safeguard PDF Security.  It has transformed our study materials to the next level.

    Not only did this increase sales, but we also believe that it has increased our customers’ ability to learn, which is even more important!
  • We would recommend Locklizard Safeguard to other companies that need to protect PDF reports.  Customers have found the process of accessing the protected documents to be seamless.

    Implementation was easy and technical support has been very responsive to requests for help.
  • Our company would without reservation recommend Locklizard.  Their document DRM software opens up delivery of our new products in a timely fashion while knowing that the content will remain secure.

    The return on investment to our company has been immediately evident.
  • We use Safeguard to make sure that documents cannot be opened outside our local network or from a unauthorized computer in order to copy or print the documents.

    It is the most feature rich, affordable, & simple to use PDF security product on the market.
  • Safeguard PDF Security is simple to administer and meets our needs, consistently delivering secured manuals to our customers with ease.

    Return on investment has been elimination of many man hours, printing resources and postage – it is estimated that costs decreased by 50% or more.
  • We would really recommend Safeguard PDF Security to every publishing company for managing ePubs or e-books securely.  It is easy to secure PDF files and simple to distribute them to our authorized customers only.

    Locklizard also provides a good customer support experience.
  • The ROI for us is incalculable.  We have the security of knowing that our proprietary documents are secure.  This is the entire value of our company.

    I would most certainly recommend your PDF security product and already have.  The ease of implementation was surprising.
  • We can now sell our manuals without the need to print them first, saving time, money and helping safeguard the environment.

    We would recommend Safeguard PDF DRM – it is the perfect solution to sell and send e-documents securely whilst making sure someone cannot copy them.
  • We would recommend Locklizard to other companies without hesitation.

    Their PDF DRM products provide a manageable, cost effective way to protect intellectual investment and they are always looking for ways to improve them.  Moreover, their staff provide an excellent level of support.
  • We needed to deliver e-book versions of our handbooks while not compromising on security and digital rights.  Safeguard PDF security is easy to use and intuitive.

    The implementation was painless and we now have a greener, more secure way of distributing training manuals.
  • Locklizard’s PDF protection is exactly as described – the features are highly effective and I would give it 5 stars.

    I would recommend Locklizard to others - their security is simple to use and fit for purpose.  It meets common needs of businesses who have information they want to protect.
  • We would be happy to recommend Locklizard to any company needing a flexible way to secure PDF files.

    Safeguard PDF Security has provided us with a very workable solution for sharing of information in a secure fashion.  The support has been excellent and very accommodating.
  • We can cut accounts for a user five minutes before his class starts and he is ready to go. Happy smiling customer, while we still have security and personalized watermarking.

    I have immense respect for the product and Locklizard provide great customer satisfaction and service.
  • We would recommend Safeguard to other companies for its security, cost and ease of use. It does what we expected it to do and more.

    Ease of use is a bonus and the implementation was very easy.  The product manual is excellent and Locklizard staff are very accommodating.
  • We sell a highly valued educational product in an open and competitive market so it was important to ensure we had effective security to protect our digital rights.

    We highly recommend Locklizard - a professional company with a competitive and professional PDF Security product.
  • We would absolutely recommend both Locklizard as a company, and Safeguard PDF Security.  It has transformed our study materials to the next level.

    Not only did this increase sales, but we also believe that it has increased our customers’ ability to learn, which is even more important!
  • We would recommend Locklizard Safeguard to other companies that need to protect PDF reports.  Customers have found the process of accessing the protected documents to be seamless.

    Implementation was easy and technical support has been very responsive to requests for help.
  • Our company would without reservation recommend Locklizard.  Their document DRM software opens up delivery of our new products in a timely fashion while knowing that the content will remain secure.

    The return on investment to our company has been immediately evident.
  • We use Safeguard to make sure that documents cannot be opened outside our local network or from a unauthorized computer in order to copy or print the documents.

    It is the most feature rich, affordable, & simple to use PDF security product on the market.
  • Safeguard PDF Security is simple to administer and meets our needs, consistently delivering secured manuals to our customers with ease.

    Return on investment has been elimination of many man hours, printing resources and postage – it is estimated that costs decreased by 50% or more.
  • We would really recommend Safeguard PDF Security to every publishing company for managing ePubs or e-books securely.  It is easy to secure PDF files and simple to distribute them to our authorized customers only.

    Locklizard also provides a good customer support experience.
  • The ROI for us is incalculable.  We have the security of knowing that our proprietary documents are secure.  This is the entire value of our company.

    I would most certainly recommend your PDF security product and already have.  The ease of implementation was surprising.
  • We can now sell our manuals without the need to print them first, saving time, money and helping safeguard the environment.

    We would recommend Safeguard PDF DRM – it is the perfect solution to sell and send e-documents securely whilst making sure someone cannot copy them.
  • We would recommend Locklizard to other companies without hesitation.

    Their PDF DRM products provide a manageable, cost effective way to protect intellectual investment and they are always looking for ways to improve them.  Moreover, their staff provide an excellent level of support.