After having caught your brother sticking his nose into your documents, you have decided to protect the PDF files on your computer with a password. Unfortunately, you don’t know how to do it or which tools to use. Don’t worry; I can help you out. Give me just a few minutes of your time, and I will explain, in no time, how to succeed with your intent.
I already anticipate that to protect a PDF file; you can rely on “classic” PC programs, special online services, or, from mobile, applications for smartphones and tablets. In all cases, however, you have nothing to worry about: the implementation procedure is much simpler than you might think.
How to protect a PDF file on a computer
Are you interested in understanding how to protect a PDF file from a computer? Then rely on the software solutions I have indicated and explained below.
LibreOffice (Windows, macOS, and Linux)
The first program to protect PDF files that I want to invite you to consider is LibreOffice: a free and open-source office suite running on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is especially popular with those looking for an alternative to Microsoft Office. It allows you to view, edit and create text documents, spreadsheets, etc., making all the necessary tools and functions available to users. It also allows you to open and edit PDF files and intervene in the latter’s security settings.
To use it, go to the suite’s website and press the Download the xxx version button. To download the software. When the download is complete, if you are using Windows, open the .msi file obtained and press the Run button in the window that appears. If you want to know more about the site link, you can read the tutorial I just linked to you, which explains it in detail. Then click on the Next button, select the Typical option, and press the Next and Install buttons. To complete the setup, click on the Yes and buttons Finish buttons.
If you are using macOS, open the .dmg package obtained, drag the LibreOffice icon into the Applications folder, right-click on it, and select the Open item from the menu that appears. Then click on the Open button in the notice proposed to you to start the program by going around the limitations imposed by Apple on applications from non-certified developers (an operation that must be carried out only at the first start).
Subsequently, on macOS, go back to the LibreOffice website and press the Translated user interface button to pick up the Italian translation of the suite. When the download is complete, close LibreOffice (by pressing cmd + q on the keyboard), open the .dmg package you just obtained, right-click on the LibreOffice Language Pack executable contained within it, select the Open item from the menu that appears, and press the Open buttons and Install. Next, select the/ Applications / LibreOffice.app from the window that opens and click the Install button. If a warning refers to permissions, press the Yes button, identify me, type the password of your user account on macOS, and click the OK button twice in a row.
Adobe Acrobat Pro (Windows/macOS)
Another useful tool that I want to point out is Adobe Acrobat Pro, the renowned software from Adobe, thanks to which it is possible to view, edit, convert, and protect documents in PDF format completely and professionally. I’ll tell you more about it here. It is available for both Windows and macOS and is paid (has a base price of 18.29 euros/month), but you can use it in a free trial version that works without limits for 7 days.
If, on the other hand, you are using macOS, open the.dmg package obtained, right-click on the program installer present in it, and select the Open item from the contextual menu displayed to start the software; however, go around the limitations imposed by Apple to non-certified developers (an operation that must be performed only at the first start). Next, type in the password of your user account on macOS and hit the OK button. Next, log in with your Adobe account and wait for the software installation procedure to complete.
Preview (macOS)
Are you using a Mac? If so, I’m happy to inform you that you don’t necessarily need to use third-party tools to secure your PDF files. You can do everything directly and comfortably with Preview, the application already included in macOS to view/edit images and, in fact, PDF documents.
You ask me how to make use of it. I’ll explain it to you right away. First, open the PDF document you are interested in acting on simply by double-clicking on its icon. If Preview is not set as the default program for opening the file mentioned above, right-click on the icon of the PDF file to be protected and select the option Open with> Preview from the context menu.
Once the PDF is open, press the File menu at the top left and select the Print item from the latter. Then click on the PDF drop-down menu (located at the bottom left) and select the Save as PDF option. In the screen that is shown to you at this point, press the Security Options button and select the security options you prefer between Requesting a password to open the document, Requesting a password to copy text, images, and other content, and Requesting a password to print the document.
Also read: Reduce Pdf File Size On Mac Without Losing Quality Online
