If you have sensitive data you'd like to keep from prying eyes in a Microsoft Excel file, the easiest way to protect it is with Excel's built-in password tools.

Sending important documents? Learn how to password protect PDFs for extra security using easy steps with Adobe Acrobat and free online tools.

Encryption is the matter of safety, I've always said. If you want to keep movies, pictures and other files under a safe lock, choose a password protective software from our guide.

There are several options available to you to protect your Excel file with a password. Remember that once you protect the Excel file, you cannot open it without entering the password.

Do you share PDF documents with people? Here's a guide on how to password protect a PDF on Mac to protect it from unauthorized access, editing, and printing.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how to password-protect files or folders in the cloud and on file-sharing platforms like Microsoft Word, OneDrive and Google Drive.

Adding password protection to a PDF can make the file even more secure and is the best practice when sharing any sensitive information.

For an added measure of security, you should assign a password to any folder containing truly sensitive data. But Windows doesn't offer that option, so try these solutions instead.