Protect PDFs directly from a URL
Append ?url= followed by a PDF address and the protector opens with that file already loaded — no upload step. Files are fetched server-side, so browser CORS rules don't apply.
How to use
Single PDF
The page loads, the server fetches the PDF, and the protector opens with the file ready and a password field waiting.
https://mytools.com/pdf/protect-pdf/by-url?url=https://example.com/contract.pdf
Multiple PDFs
Repeat the ?url= parameter for as many files as you need. They all get the same password — set it once and protect the whole batch.
https://mytools.com/pdf/protect-pdf/by-url?url=https://example.com/a.pdf&url=https://example.com/b.pdf
Requirements
| Protocol | http:// or https:// only |
| Content-Type | application/pdf or application/octet-stream |
| Source | Any publicly accessible URL |
Server-side fetch · No CORS restrictions · Same protector, instant load
Why pass URLs instead of uploading?
Skip the upload step
When you already have a URL — from your CDN, a SharePoint link, or a public bucket — there's no reason to download the file just to upload it again. Pass the URL and protect directly.
No CORS restrictions
Files are fetched server-side, so it doesn't matter whether the host sets Access-Control-Allow-Origin. URLs that fail in client-only tools work fine here.
Batch protect from a list of URLs
List as many ?url= parameters as you need — the protector receives them all at once, ready for a single shared password.
Shareable and linkable
The URL is the entire session — share it with a teammate and they land on the same protector, with the same files loaded, ready to add the password you've agreed on.
Same protector, different entry point
You get the full workspace: password and confirm fields, strength indicator, permissions toggles, and per-file status. The only difference is how the files got there.
Fits into automated workflows
Generate the by-url link from a script, a Slack bot, or a CMS button — anywhere you already have a list of PDF URLs that need a password before going out.
Build the URL
Start with /pdf/protect-pdf/by-url, append ?url= and the full PDF address. Repeat the parameter for each file. URL-encode addresses with their own query strings.
The files load automatically
Open the URL in any browser. The page fetches each file server-side and opens the protector with everything ready.
Set the password and protect
Type the password (twice, to confirm), tweak permissions if you want, hit Protect PDFs, and download the encrypted files — same flow as the regular tool.
- PDFs and passwords are never stored — fetched, processed in your browser, and discarded.
- URLs, file content, and passwords are not logged, inspected, or retained.
- No sign-up needed — construct the URL and go.