Have you ever needed to send a sensitive document via email, but worried about it falling into the wrong hands? Password protecting your Word document before sending it via email is a great way to ensure that only the intended recipient can access it. In this blog post, we will explore different methods that you can use to password protect your Word document for email.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To password protect a Word document for email, you will need a few things. First, you will need a computer with Microsoft Word installed. Second, you will need the document that you want to password protect. And finally, you will need to choose a method for password protecting your document.
What Requires Your Focus?
When password protecting a Word document for email, there are a few things that require your focus. First, you need to make sure that you choose a strong password that is difficult to guess. Second, you need to make sure that you securely send the password to the intended recipient. And finally, you need to make sure that you specify the password in the email to the recipient.
Different Methods to Password Protect A Word Document for Email
Method 1: Password Protect Via Saving Options
Before saving the Word document, you can password protect it from the Saving options.
1. Click "File" on the top-right corner of the window.
2. Click on "Save As" and select the location you want to save your Word document.
3. Click on "Tools" and choose the "General Options".
4. A new window appears, input a password where it says "Password to open" and/or "Password to modify".
5. Click “OK” and then save your document.
Pros:
– Quick and easy method.
– The password is saved with the document which means you only need to share the password with the recipient.
Cons:
– The password can be cracked by malicious individuals or organizations.
– Emailing the password is not secure.
Method 2: Password Protect Via Encrypt with Password
You can encrypt the Word document with a password in the "Options" feature of Microsoft Word.
1. Click “File” and select "Options".
2. Choose the "Trust Center" option.
3. Select "Trust Center Settings" and then "Privacy Options".
4. Check the box that says "Encrypt Document with a Password", add a password and hit OK.
5. Save the document.
Pros:
– Password protection can be applied to new and existing documents.
– The password is not saved with the document.
Cons:
– The password can be cracked by malicious individuals or organizations.
– Emailing the password is not secure.
Method 3: Password Protect Via Zip around
You can compress your Word document to a zip file with a password using built-in tools on your computer.
1. Right-click on your Word document and select “Send to” and then "Compressed (zipped) folder".
2. Open the compressed folder, click on "File", select "Add a password".
3. Input a password and confirm it.
4. Save the compressed folder.
Pros:
– Password protection can be applied to any type of file, not just Word documents.
– The password protects the entire folder, not just the individual document.
Cons:
– The recipient may need to install third-party software to open the compressed folder.
– The password can be cracked by malicious individuals or organizations.
Why Can’t I Password Protect My Word Document for Email?
1. You may not have a compatible version of Microsoft Word.
Fix: Ensure that you have a relatively recent version of Microsoft Word to password protect a Word document.
2. The document may be too large.
Fix: Save the document as a compressed file first, before password protecting it.
3. You may not have administrative permissions.
Fix: Grant yourself adequate administrative permissions to password protect a Word document.
Implications and Recommendations
Password protecting documents is a great way to keep them secure and ensure that only the intended recipient can access them. However, it is important to remember that there is no foolproof method of password protection. Therefore, it is recommended that you take additional steps to secure your documents, such as using more complex passwords or sending the document through a secure file sharing service.
5 FAQs About Password Protecting A Word Document for Email
Q: Can you password protect a Word document if you don’t have Microsoft Word?
A: No. Password protection requires Microsoft Word.
Q: What’s the maximum password length for password protecting a Word document?
A: The maximum password length is 15 characters.
Q: Can I password protect a document on my mobile phone?
A: Yes, you can password protect documents on your mobile phone using Microsoft Word’s mobile app.
Q: Will password protecting a document affect its compatibility with other programs?
A: No, password protecting a document won’t affect its compatibility with other programs.
Q: How do I remove the password protection from a document?
A: Open the password-protected document, go to "File" > "Info" > "Protect Document" > "Encrypt with Password". Delete the password and click "OK".
In Conclusion
Password protecting a Word document for email is an important step in securing your sensitive information. You can password protect a document through different methods, including via Saving Options, Encrypt with Password, and Zip around. However, all methods have their disadvantages, and it is important to take additional steps to ensure the document’s security.