How to Lock a Link with Password: The Easiest Way to Protect Any URL

You have a link. Maybe it leads to a private Google Doc, a confidential report, or a paid resource. You need to share it with someone -- but not with the entire internet. The solution? Lock the link with a password.

This guide shows you exactly how link locking works, why it matters, and how to do it in three steps.

What Is Link Locking?

Link locking means adding a password layer in front of any URL. When someone clicks your locked link, they see a password prompt instead of the destination page. Only people who know the password get through.

Think of it like putting a combination lock on a door. The room (your URL) stays exactly where it is -- you're just controlling who can walk in.

How it works:

1. You submit your original URL to a link lock tool
2. The tool generates a new short link (e.g., lock.pub/mylink)
3. Anyone who visits that link must enter the correct password first
4. After verification, they're redirected to the original URL

No software to install. No account required for the person receiving it. Just a link and a password.

Why Lock a Link?

1. Sharing Private Documents

You've drafted a contract in Google Docs and need your client to review it. Sending the raw link over iMessage means anyone who intercepts the message -- or borrows the phone -- can open it. A locked link ensures only the client can access the document.

2. Distributing Paid or Premium Content

Course creators, newsletter writers, and SaaS companies often share download links with paying customers. Without password protection, those links get forwarded, posted on forums, and shared freely. Locking the link keeps your content behind a gate.

3. Internal Team Resources

Dev server credentials, staging URLs, admin panels -- these shouldn't float around in Messenger chat histories forever. A password-locked link with an expiration date keeps sensitive access info from becoming a long-term liability.

4. Sending Sensitive Personal Info

Bank account details, medical records, tax documents -- sometimes you need to send sensitive personal data digitally. A locked link is safer than pasting it directly in a chat.

How to Lock a Link in 3 Steps

Using LOCK.PUB, you can lock any URL in under 30 seconds:

Step 1: Paste Your URL

Go to LOCK.PUB and paste the link you want to protect into the URL field.

Example: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a2b3c4d/edit

Step 2: Set a Password

Choose a strong password. This is what recipients will need to enter before they can access your link.

Good: Proj3ct-Rev!ew-2026
Bad: 1234

Step 3: Share the Locked Link

You'll get a short, clean link like lock.pub/abc123. Send this link to your recipient through one channel, and send the password through a different channel for maximum security.

Link sent via: Email
Password sent via: iMessage or text message

That's it. Your link is now password-protected, shareable, and secure.

Link Lock vs Other Protection Methods

How does locking a link compare to other ways of protecting shared content?

Method	Setup Time	Recipient Experience	Works for Any URL	Expiration Support
Link Lock (LOCK.PUB)	~15 seconds	Click link, enter password	Yes	Yes
ZIP with password	2-5 minutes	Download, unzip, find file	No (files only)	No
Email encryption (PGP)	10+ minutes	Install software, exchange keys	No	No
Messenger DM	Instant	No protection at all	N/A	No
Google Docs permissions	1-2 minutes	Need Google account	No (Google only)	No

Link locking wins on speed and simplicity. It works with any URL, requires nothing from the recipient except a password, and can include built-in expiration.

Tips for Maximum Security

Locking a link is a strong first step. Here's how to make it even more secure:

Send the link and password separately

Never put the link and password in the same message. Send the link via email, and the password via text or a different messenger. That way, compromising one channel doesn't expose everything.

Use expiration dates

Set your locked link to expire after a certain period -- 1 hour, 24 hours, 7 days. Once expired, even the correct password won't work. This is especially important for time-sensitive information.

Choose strong passwords

Avoid simple passwords like password123. Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Even better, use a passphrase: Blue-Tiger-Runs-Fast-42.

Limit access count

Some link lock tools (including LOCK.PUB) let you limit how many times a link can be accessed. For one-on-one sharing, set it to 1-2 views.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I lock any URL?

Yes. Any publicly accessible URL can be locked -- Google Docs, Dropbox files, Notion pages, YouTube unlisted videos, Zoom links, and more.

Does the recipient need an account?

No. The recipient just clicks your locked link, enters the password, and gets redirected. No sign-up, no app download, nothing.

Is the original URL visible before entering the password?

No. The destination URL is hidden until the correct password is entered. Visitors only see the password prompt page.

What happens when a locked link expires?

The link becomes permanently inaccessible. Visitors will see a message that the link has expired. The original URL remains safe and unaffected -- only the locked shortcut is disabled.

Start Locking Your Links

Every day, millions of sensitive links are shared with zero protection -- pasted into chats, forwarded in emails, sitting in message histories indefinitely.

It takes 15 seconds to lock a link with LOCK.PUB. Set a password, optionally add an expiration, and share with confidence.

Lock your first link now ->