Knowing how to password-protect a Word document can help you prevent unauthorized use and editing and keep your confidential data safe.

To password-protect a Word document on Windows and Mac, you should use Microsoft Word on both operating systems.

and is a common practice for legal papers, business files, and contracts. In addition to these advantages, securing Word files with passwords also comes with certain downsides if not done correctly (e.g., weak passwords can be breached).

Therefore, it is crucial to know how to properly password-protect a Word document and when password-protecting PDF files using designated tools like PDF.net is smarter than using Word ones.

How to Password-Protect a Word Document on Windows

To password-protect a Word document on Windows, you need to open the file, find the password-protection option, and set the password.

Let’s take a detailed look at these steps:

Find the document you want to protect and double-click it to open it.

Click the File menu in the top-left corner

Choose Protect Document and select Encrypt with Password.

Save the changes by clicking the Save icon in the upper-left corner.

How to Password-Protect a Word Document on Mac

To password-protect a Word document on a Mac, you should use 

 to open it, find the protection feature, set the password, and save the file.

Select the Protect drop-down menu and choose Protect Document

Enter the password, confirm it by re-entering, and click 

Enter the password, confirm it by re-entering, and click OK

Upon leaving, save the document using the automatic pop-up window.


Why You Should Password-Protect Your Word Documents

You should password-protect your Word documents to 

, facilitate sharing, and comply with the necessary data regulations if needed.

Let’s see the benefits of Word password protection in greater detail:

Restricting access to Word protects your documents from

. For instance, you may have to upload your file to a drive to which various people have access. Still, if you want to grant file access to specific individuals only, 

it and share the password just with them.

Additionally, you can password-protect multiple files by creating a different password for each document, which allows you to 

manage access for different people and files individually

You can password-protect documents containing sensitive information to 

, as these may lead to various problems. For example, your file may include intellectual property, such as robotic 

 that your business plans to launch in the near future.

If your competitors find details about this, they may use it for their own development, 

. Similarly, hackers may steal your valuable data and sell it to other companies, which can also endanger your business.

As password-protecting a Word document restricts access, it automatically limits the opportunity to modify such a file. This means that your information is not only safe from copying or stealing 

Of course, this is important because some documents may contain data that users must not alter in any way. For instance, some factory machines may be dangerous if not used correctly, and the service manual can be the only source for safe use. So, before sharing the manual in a Word document, you can password-protect it to 

ensure that all instructions remain intact

Due to the rise of technology, many countries, unions, and companies have proposed safety acts to protect people’s 

. Depending on where and what you use Word documents for, you may need to password-protect them to comply with specific security protocols.

For instance, as a product designer, you may have to lock Word files to comply with the 

keep essential business-related data private

Additionally, such regulatory principles are also available globally, including the 

 issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). These privacy guidelines regulate the 

Can Your Remove or Change Your Password Later?

You can remove or change your password after protecting a file 

. All you have to do is open your document, type in the password, find the protection feature, and enter the new password or erase the old one from the box.

While removing passwords from Word documents is easy, you will need a computer to do it or go through a tedious download process on mobile devices. In contrast to Word documents, managing PDF passwords is easier, especially with

Specifically, you can access our tools on 

. Like Microsoft Word, we also offer software for changing passwords and unlocking PDFs, among other security features.

 provides additional security for your files, as there are stronger and more versatile ways to protect PDFs.

This is because Word allows you to use only 

, limiting combinations of different characters. Plus, the option to encrypt Word documents is equal to standard password protection, as it does not scramble the file text but only limits the file access.

On the other hand, you can password-protect PDFs and choose a strong password, mixing different 

symbols, characters, numbers, and letters

. PDF file protection also implies advanced document encryption, which makes the text in your file unreadable and requires a long and complex key for decryption.

to set restrictions for your files. Unlike Word, which only provides editing restrictions, PDF.net lets you disable the option to create new fillable forms and print documents.

Troubleshooting: What to Do if You Forgot Your Password

Accessing protected files is impossible without a password. So, if you forget your password, try your best to get it back by 

checking your password tools or documents

 or asking people you share it with for help.

If there is no option for you to recover the password this way, you can open your file in other programs, such as WordPad.

Another way to restore forgotten passwords is to download and install 

or use similar software online. However, it is important to note that opening secured Word documents in programs other than MS Word may

 corrupt them or render their content useless

. Plus, the success rate of recovery tools is low, as the password-cracking process usually ends in an error or a damaged file.

With all this in mind, our best advice is to create a copy of your unprotected Word document (if it is not public), which you can use in case you forget your password. Also, you can store your password in another file and keep it safe from others. Finally, we recommend using 

tools, such as PDF.net, to remember your passwords

Using PDF.net as the Best Solution for Additional Security

If you want security beyond Word password protection, use our

to maximize your experience. We offer strong protection software, which allows you to create more complex passwords than Word.

Also, you can encrypt PDFs on our website in several clicks for unbreachable security. In addition, PDF.net allows you to set various restrictions and prevent copying, printing, and filling, as well as make PDFs non-editable.

We encourage you to test our software and familiarize yourself with these 

to ensure maximum security and privacy for you and your documents.

How to Password-Protect a Word Document FAQ

#1. How do I set the password for the Word File?

You set the password for the Word file by opening the document in Microsoft Word, clicking the 

 option, entering the password, and saving the changes.

#2. Can I lock a Word document without a password?

Yes, you can lock a Word document without a password 

. Encryption makes the file content unreadable, making it useless for people without a decryption key.

#3. Can you share a password-protected document?

Yes, you can share a password-protected document, as this security measure prevents file access but not sharing. You can email your document or share it via cloud drive, which others can open 

How to Password-Protect a Word Document on Windows & Mac

The answer to the question “Can PDFs have viruses?” is yes, so it’s important that you learn how to protect your documents against malware.

The answer to the “Can PDFs have viruses in them?” question is yes, which means they can compromise your security, privacy, data, and devices. The risk is especially high considering the popularity of the PDF format—its compatibility across platforms and ease of sharing make it a common target.

With that in mind, it’s important that you know 

 and learn how malicious PDF files can harm your system.

In this article, we’ll explore PDF security risks, focusing on how to tell secure PDFs from those carrying malware. In addition, we’ll offer a few helpful 

How Hackers Exploit PDFs and Use Them to Deliver Viruses

Hackers exploit PDFs and use them to deliver viruses in several ways, including embedding malicious scripts or macros, exploiting software vulnerabilities, hiding malware in attachments and links, and enabling dangerous content through social engineering.

Let’s explore these more closely to understand how PDFs can carry viruses:

#1. Embedding Malicious Scripts or Macros

PDFs can have viruses in the form of malicious scripts or macros that turn them into dangerous tools. These small programs start running

automatically as soon as you open the file. They can cause a number of issues, such as 

The worst part about a PDF file carrying these viruses is that it looks completely normal. For this reason, you should only open PDFs from trusted sources.

#2. Exploiting Software Vulnerabilities in PDF Readers

Hackers commonly target PDF reader vulnerabilities, also known as 

. They look for these weaknesses and craft malicious PDFs to exploit them. For example, when hackers identify a bug, they might 

Simply put, PDFs can have viruses that activate as soon as you open the document. This allows hackers to manipulate your files and create backdoors for future attacks.

#3. Hiding Malware in Attachments or Links

Hackers often hide malware in PDFs in attachments and links that look like harmless documents or images. However, if you click on them, you can 

onto your computer. This is one of the major ways PDFs can have viruses like 

It’s noteworthy that hackers often disguise these PDFs as invoices, resumes, or other common files to trick you into opening them.

#4. Using Social Engineering to Enable Dangerous Content

PDFs can have viruses that specifically target your personal information. Hackers often use 

 to design the malicious file to look like something most people would be interested in, like a job offer.

This misleads users into opening a link or allowing permissions, unintentionally activating the virus hidden in the file and giving hackers access to their sensitive data.

this method relies on human error rather than a bug

. In fact, a hacker can tailor their message based on your interests or contacts to make the infected PDF file appear trustworthy. This version of social engineering is known as 

3 Key Signs that Your PDF Might Be Malicious

Now that we know the answer to the question, “Can PDFs have viruses?” let’s look into some key signs your PDF might be malicious. These include unusual file size or content behavior, requests for suspicious permissions, and unexpected pop-ups.

#1. Unusual File Size or Content Behavior

The simplest way to check if a PDF contains a virus is to look at its size. Namely, a simple document like a resume or invoice shouldn’t be hundreds of megabytes. If it is, it’s likely malicious—

hackers tend to hide malware in large files

Another red flag is the file’s unusual behavior—if it 

If you try to open a PDF file and see a request asking you to install a piece of software or grant some other suspicious permission, you’re probably being targeted by hackers. Following their instructions can open doors for them to 

Getting unexpected pop-ups when you download a PDF file can be a 

. This is a type of virus designed to trick you into believing your system is infected and prompt you to visit a dangerous website or install an antivirus program that’s actually malware. Needless to say, if you comply, you’ll allow hackers access to your system and data.

What Happens if You Open a PDF Containing a Virus?

If you open a PDF containing a virus, you’re 

potentially exposed to various security risks

. “Potentially” is the operative word here—merely opening a malicious file doesn’t automatically mean your device will get infected.

In other words, a virus may be coded to attack your system only if you click on a specific image or link where it’s hidden.

Conversely, some malicious PDF files release malware into your device as soon as you view them.

That said, the consequences of interacting with an infected file (or its elements) depend on the hacker’s intention. Some aim to infect your device with 

spyware to collect your personal information

 and commit identity theft or fraud. Others have 

 and use ransomware to get you to pay them to regain control of your device.

Whatever the hacker’s intention, if you open a suspicious PDF on your phone or computer, back up your data immediately and run trusted antivirus software to scan your device.

4 Tips on How to Protect Your PDFs Against Viruses

To protect your PDFs against viruses, you should use a trusted PDF tool, avoid downloading files from random sources, regularly update software, and disable JavaScript in PDF readers.

Let’s look into these methods in more detail:

 is the best way to keep your private information and devices safe when printing PDF files. One such tool is the 

, which allows you to convert other file formats into PDF and vice versa and edit your files while 

It’s important that the PDF tool you choose regularly updates its software. This can minimize security vulnerabilities and stop hackers from installing viruses and stealing your data.

#2. Avoid Downloading PDFs From Untrusted Sources

, make sure they’re coming from reliable sources. More often than not, hackers will try to infect your system by sending you an 

. If you see a sender you don’t recognize, especially in your spam folder, it’s best not to open their message at all.

That said, you should be wary of a suspicious email, even if it’s sent from someone you know. As previously mentioned, hackers can customize their messages based on your contacts to mislead you into downloading a malicious file.

#3. Update Software Regularly to Fix Security Vulnerabilities

Updating software regularly can reduce the number of security vulnerabilities, which are essentially cracks in the system through which hackers slip viruses. Namely, your PDF reader and browser may have limited security measures, and your antivirus scanner may fail to detect malware before you open an infected file.

your operating system may need to protect itself

, which is why it’s essential that you keep all your software up to date.

 within a PDF file, so you should disable JavaScript plug-ins in your PDF reader. This is especially important when you’re opening PDF files from unknown sources—this way, if the document is malicious, it won’t execute destructive JavaScript code.

You should always scan a PDF for viruses, especially if you don’t know its source. You can do it on your computer or use an online virus scanner—here’s how:

Select custom scan to check a specific file

and choose the PDF file you want to scan.

Scanning a PDF file with an online virus scanner

Upload the PDF document into an online scanner.

Protect your important files and personal information with PDF.net.

We use advanced safety protocols and HTTPS encryption to protect your documents from intruders.

As soon as you finish using our services, your uploads will be automatically deleted to ensure maximum privacy.

Personal data on our servers is regulated by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

PDF Security

How to Password-Protect a Word Document on Windows & Mac

Can PDFs Have Viruses? How to Stay Safe While Using Them