Encrypt Link: How to Encrypt Any URL for Free

You just sent a Google Drive link over iMessage. Your colleague opened it, grabbed the file, and moved on. But that link is still sitting in your chat history -- accessible to anyone who scrolls through your phone, syncs your messages, or compromises your account.

This guide explains what link encryption actually means, who needs it, and how to encrypt any URL in seconds -- for free.

What Does "Encrypt a Link" Really Mean?

Most people think "encrypting a link" just means hiding a URL behind a short link. That is not encryption. That is obscurity -- and it provides almost zero real security.

True link encryption involves cryptographic techniques:

Method	What It Does	Security Level
URL shortening	Masks the original URL behind a redirect	Very Low -- anyone with the short link can access it
Password protection	Requires a password to view the destination	Medium -- depends on password strength
SHA-256 hashing	Converts passwords into irreversible hashes for verification	High -- server never stores raw passwords
AES encryption	Encrypts content so even the server cannot read it	Very High -- true end-to-end encryption

When you encrypt a link on LOCK.PUB, your password is hashed with SHA-256 before being stored. The original URL or content is only revealed after the correct password is verified. For features like encrypted memos and chat, AES encryption ensures that even the server cannot read your data.

Who Needs Link Encryption?

You might think encrypted links are only for spies and hackers. In reality, everyday professionals need them constantly:

Developers and IT Teams

• Sharing API keys, SSH credentials, or database passwords with teammates
• Sending staging server URLs to clients for review
• Distributing temporary access tokens that should not persist in Slack or email history

Business and HR

• Sending offer letters with salary details
• Sharing internal documents with contractors
• Distributing confidential board meeting materials

Personal Use

• Sending a Wi-Fi password to a houseguest via Messenger
• Sharing streaming account credentials with family
• Passing along a private photo album link

In every case, the problem is the same: once you send a plain link through any messenger, you lose control over who sees it and for how long.

How to Encrypt a Link in Seconds

Encrypting a URL with LOCK.PUB takes less than 30 seconds:

Step 1: Go to lock.pub and select "Link"

Step 2: Paste the URL you want to protect

Step 3: Set a password

Step 4: (Optional) Set an expiration time and access limit

Step 5: Click "Create" and share the generated encrypted link

The recipient opens the encrypted link, enters the password, and gets redirected to the original URL. No account required for the recipient.

Pro tip: Send the encrypted link via iMessage or Messenger, and the password through a separate channel (like a phone call or SMS). This way, even if one channel is compromised, your link stays protected.

Types of Link Encryption Compared

Not all "secure link" services are created equal. Here is what to look for:

Feature	URL Shortener	Basic Password Link	LOCK.PUB Encrypted Link
Hides original URL	Yes	Yes	Yes
Password required	No	Yes	Yes
Password hashed (SHA-256)	No	Varies	Yes
Expiration date	Rarely	Sometimes	Yes
Access count limit	No	Rarely	Yes
Content encryption (AES)	No	No	Yes (memos & chat)
No account needed for viewer	Varies	Varies	Yes

The key difference: with a URL shortener, anyone who discovers the link can access it. With LOCK.PUB, the link is cryptographically useless without the password.

Encryption + Expiration = Maximum Security

Password protection alone is good. But combining it with expiration creates a much stronger security posture:

Why Expiration Matters

Monday 9 AM:  You share an encrypted link to a staging server
Monday 10 AM: Your teammate accesses it
Friday 5 PM:  The link automatically expires
Next year:    Even if your Slack gets hacked, the link is dead

Recommended Expiration Settings

Scenario	Suggested Expiration	Access Limit
One-time password share	1 hour	1 view
Daily work credentials	6 hours	No limit
Weekly project access	7 days	5 views
Client deliverable	30 days	No limit

An expired encrypted link returns nothing -- not even a hint about what it once contained.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is encrypting a link really necessary?

If you have ever pasted a password, API key, or private URL into a chat message, yes. Chat histories persist across device syncs, backups, and potential breaches. An encrypted link ensures the sensitive content is not permanently exposed in those logs.

Can the encrypted link be brute-forced?

LOCK.PUB uses SHA-256 hashing for password verification. Combined with rate limiting, brute-force attacks are impractical. For maximum security, use a strong password (12+ characters with mixed case, numbers, and symbols).

What happens when an encrypted link expires?

The link becomes completely inaccessible. Visitors see an expiration notice. The original URL or content cannot be recovered -- even by the creator.

Do recipients need an account?

No. Anyone with the link and password can access the content. No sign-up, no app download, no friction.

Start Encrypting Your Links

Every link you share unprotected is a potential security gap. Whether it is an API key in Slack, a document link in email, or a Wi-Fi password in Messenger -- encryption takes seconds and costs nothing.

LOCK.PUB offers free link encryption with SHA-256 hashing, optional AES encryption, expiration dates, and access limits. No credit card. No account required for recipients.

Encrypt your first link now on LOCK.PUB ->