IT Services Safer Working Advice

Let’s talk about how to password protect a word document!

Why?

You can protect a sensitive or confidential document by using a password to help prevent others from
changing or even opening your document, as well as adding an extra layer of security, in cases such
as an email being accidentally transmitted to the incorrect recipient.

How to?

1. To set a password on your document. On the top left hand corner of the document click on
File > Info top left hand corner of the document and select Protect Document > Encrypt

with Password

2. You'll be prompted to create a password, then to confirm it. After you've added a password to
your file you'll want to be sure to save the file to make sure the password takes effect.

Please do not send the

documents password via email.
Either verbally give the
password to the recipient face
to face or over the phone
(please ensure you are happy
that you are speaking to the
intended recipient of the email).
You can also agree a password
in advance with the individual or
set a password to a
phrase/code which the
individual already knows.

3. After you've added a password to your file, that password will need to be entered before
anybody can open the file. The document can now be attached to an email and sent
password protected.

4. To remove the password open the file, which will require the current password, go to File >
Protect Document > Encrypt with Password. Delete the password and click OK. Be sure to
save your file to make that change permanent.