Secret URL: How to Create Hidden Links Only You Can Share

You have a link you need to share -- but not with the whole world. Maybe it's a Google Doc with salary info, a private photo album, or login credentials for a shared account. You could paste the link into iMessage or Messenger and hope for the best, but anyone who stumbles on that conversation can click it.

What you really need is a secret URL -- a link that only works when someone enters the correct password.

What Is a Secret URL?

A secret URL is a link that is genuinely protected, not just hard to guess. Anyone who tries to open it sees a password prompt instead of the content. Only people who know the password can access what's behind it.

This is fundamentally different from an "obscure" URL, which is just a long random string that anyone can open if they have it.

Secret URL vs. Obscure URL

Many people confuse these two concepts. Here's the difference:

	Obscure URL	Secret URL
How it works	Long random characters in the URL	Password required to access
Protection level	Security through obscurity	Genuine access control
If the link leaks	Anyone can view the content	Still protected by password
Example	drive.google.com/d/1xK9z...	lock.pub/my-link + password
Who can access	Anyone with the URL	Only those with URL + password

An obscure URL is like hiding a house key under the doormat. A secret URL is like installing a deadbolt -- even if someone finds the door, they still can't get in.

5 Things You Should Share with Secret URLs

1. Passwords and Login Credentials

Sharing a Netflix password or a team account login? Don't drop it into a group chat where it lives forever. Wrap it in a secret URL and share the password separately via text message.

2. Private Documents

Tax returns, contracts, medical records, offer letters -- anything you'd hesitate to email as an attachment. Share the document link through a secret URL, and only the intended recipient can open it.

3. Personal Photos and Videos

A private photo album for a family event or personal photos you only want certain people to see. A secret URL keeps casual snoopers out.

4. Party Plans and Surprise Events

Planning a surprise birthday party? Share the details -- venue, time, guest list -- through a secret URL so the guest of honor doesn't accidentally discover it in someone's iMessage thread.

5. Financial Information

Bank account numbers, wire transfer details, investment account info -- financial data should never sit in plain text in a chat history. A secret URL with an expiration time keeps it safe and temporary.

How to Create a Secret URL with LOCK.PUB

Creating a secret URL on LOCK.PUB takes about 30 seconds:

1. Go to LOCK.PUB -- Visit lock.pub and sign in
2. Choose your content type -- Select Link, Memo, or Chat depending on what you're sharing
3. Enter your content -- Paste the URL you want to protect (or type your memo)
4. Set a password -- Choose a strong password that you'll share with the recipient
5. Create the link -- Click create and get your secret URL
6. Share separately -- Send the link through one channel (email) and the password through another (text message)

That's it. When the recipient clicks the link, they'll see a password prompt. No password, no access.

Making Secret URLs Even More Secure

A password-protected link is already much safer than a bare URL. But you can take it further:

Set an Expiration Time

Don't let your secret URL live forever. Set it to expire after 1 hour, 24 hours, or 7 days depending on the situation.

What you're sharing	Recommended expiration
One-time password	1 hour
Document access	24 hours
Event details	7 days
Temporary project link	30 days

Monitor Access

With LOCK.PUB's analytics, you can see how many times your link has been accessed. If you shared it with one person but see multiple access attempts, you know something is off.

Use Separate Channels

The golden rule of secret URL sharing:

• Send the link via email or Messenger
• Send the password via text message or phone call
• Never send both in the same message

This way, even if one channel is compromised, your content stays protected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a secret URL the same as a shortened URL?

No. A shortened URL (like bit.ly links) just makes a long URL shorter. Anyone can click it. A secret URL requires a password to access -- completely different.

Can I create a secret URL for free?

Yes. LOCK.PUB lets you create unlimited secret URLs for free. Pro features like custom slugs, expiration settings, and analytics are available with a paid plan.

What happens if someone guesses the password?

Use a strong password (mix of letters, numbers, symbols) and set an expiration time. Even if someone tries to brute-force it, the link will expire before they succeed.

Can I change the password after creating the link?

Pro users can edit their links, including changing the password. Free users can create a new link with a different password.

Does LOCK.PUB see my content?

For Link and Memo types, your content is stored securely. For Chat rooms, messages are end-to-end encrypted -- LOCK.PUB cannot read them.

Start Sharing Privately

Stop pasting sensitive links into group chats. Create a secret URL in 30 seconds and share it knowing that only the right person can access it.

Create a Secret URL ->