I need to send a PDF with my bank details to a client through an upload page, and I’m nervous about it sitting there unprotected. Can I put a password on the PDF before uploading it, so only they can open it?
Yes, that is possible, and I agree it is annoying. On a Mac, open the PDF in Preview or use Print, then Save as PDF, and look for the Security option to require a password. In Word, I would open the PDF and use Save As PDF, but check whether a password setting appears. Honestly, reopen the file to confirm the prompt before uploading, and share the password separately.
Yes, add the password before you upload, not after. Easiest free way is PDF24 or Smallpdf, both have a protect tool where you set an open password and save a new copy. Then upload that copy.
One tip from doing sponsor docs: send the password by a different channel than the file, or the protection is kind of pointless.