When sending any sensitive data through e-mail, including PDF files, make sure to password protect or encrypt that information. The following section contains steps on how to create a password protected PDF without having purchased Adobe Acrobat.

  • Download and install PrimoPDF, a free PDF creator.
  • Open the document or picture you want to create password protected PDF.
  • Print the file. In the print wizard, change the printer name from your printer from to “PrimoPDF” to something else, and click Ok to start the PDF creation process.
  • In PrimoPDF, as shown in the picture below, select the quality of file (we suggest “Print” or “Prepress”) and then click the Change button for PDF Security.
  • In the Password Security window, check the box for “Require a password to open the document” and enter the password you want to use and click Ok.
  • Finally, click the Create PDF button to create the password protected PDF.
  • See the PDF definition for further information and related links.
  • PDF help and support.