Guides
How to hide personal details properly, and why the obvious ways sometimes fail. 59 guides.
PDFs and redaction
- How to blur or black out text in a PDF (so it's really gone)Step by step: blur or black out text in a PDF so it can't be copied back out. Why boxes drawn in Word or a PDF viewer fail, and how to check your file.2 min read
- Can blurred or pixelated text be unblurred?Sometimes, yes. How blurred and pixelated text gets recovered, which kinds of text are most at risk, and the only reliable way to hide numbers.2 min read
- Free alternatives to Adobe Acrobat's redact toolNeed to redact a PDF without paying for Acrobat Pro? Free options compared: what each does well, and how to check the redaction actually worked.2 min read
- What is redaction? A practical explanationRedaction means permanently removing information from a document before sharing it. How it differs from blurring, where it goes wrong, and how to check it.2 min read
- How to check if a PDF is properly redactedFour quick tests to see whether a redacted PDF still hides text under its black boxes, plus metadata, comments and form fields. Free, and nothing is uploaded.2 min read
- How to redact a PDF on iPhone (in Safari, no app)Redact a PDF on your iPhone without installing an app: open it in Safari, cover names and numbers, and save a copy where the hidden text is actually removed.2 min read
- How to redact a PDF on Android (in Chrome, no app)Redact a PDF on an Android phone in Chrome: no app, no upload. Cover account numbers and names, then save a copy where the hidden text is really deleted.2 min read
- How to redact a PDF on a Mac (and why drawing a box isn't enough)Redact a PDF on a Mac in your browser, free and without uploading. Why a black rectangle drawn in a PDF viewer can leave the text in the file, and how to test.2 min read
- How to redact a PDF on Windows without paid softwareRedact a PDF on Windows 10 or 11 for free in your browser. No install, no upload, no account. Hide names and numbers so they can't be copied back out.2 min read
- How to redact a scanned PDF or a photo of a documentScanned PDFs and phone photos of paper have no text to select. How OCR finds names and numbers anyway, what to check by hand, and how to export a safe copy.2 min read
- How to redact every occurrence of a name in a PDFFind and redact a name on every page of a PDF, catch variations like initials and surnames, and use on-device AI to spot names you didn't think to search for.2 min read
- How to remove metadata from a PDFPDF metadata can reveal who wrote a file, when, and with what software. What it contains, where else details hide, and how to export a clean copy for free.2 min read
- How to redact multiple PDFs at onceRedact up to 20 PDFs or images in one go, review each one, then download a single combined PDF or a ZIP of PNGs. Free, in your browser, nothing uploaded.2 min read
- How to redact a Word documentBlack highlighting in a Word document doesn't remove the text. Save the document as a PDF, then redact the PDF so the hidden words are really gone. Here's how.2 min read
- How to redact court documents: a practical checklistA practical checklist for redacting court filings and exhibits: what's commonly hidden, how to remove it properly, and how to check the file before filing.2 min read
Images and screenshots
- What to hide in a screenshot before you share itAPI keys in a terminal, customer emails in a ticket, OTPs in a notification: a checklist of what leaks in screenshots, and how to clean them in seconds.2 min read
- How to blur faces in photos before posting themBlur bystanders, children or ID photos before you post: find faces automatically, choose blur or pixelate, and remove location data from the photo.2 min read
- How to blur part of an image on iPhoneBlur a face, a name or a number in one part of a photo on your iPhone, right in Safari. No app to install, nothing uploaded, and location data removed.2 min read
- How to blur part of an image on AndroidBlur a face, number or name in part of a photo on your Android phone, in Chrome. No app, no upload, and the exported copy has no hidden location data.2 min read
- How to hide personal info in a screenshot on a MacTake a screenshot on your Mac, paste it with Cmd+V, and cover emails, names, keys and numbers before you share it. Free, in the browser, nothing uploaded.2 min read
- How to hide a phone number in a screenshotPhone numbers turn up in chats, payment apps, profiles and call logs. How to find every one in a screenshot, cover it with a solid box and share it safely.2 min read
- How to blur names in a group chat screenshotShare a group chat screenshot without exposing who said what. Cover names, numbers and profile photos, and keep the messages readable. Free and private.2 min read
- How to blur an API key in a screenshot (and what to do if it leaked)Cover API keys, tokens and passwords in screenshots with a solid box, not blur. How detection works, and why you should rotate any key that was ever shared.2 min read
- How to share a bug report screenshot safelyBug report screenshots often leak tokens, customer data and internal URLs. What to check, how to cover it fast, and what to do if a secret already went out.2 min read
- How to blur a license plate in a photoHide a car's number plate before posting a photo or a sale listing. Which style to use, why light blur isn't enough, and what else in the shot can identify you.2 min read
- How to blur an address in a photoHouse numbers, street signs and parcel labels can reveal where you live. How to spot them in a photo, cover them properly and remove the hidden GPS data too.2 min read
- How to censor a photo before posting it on social mediaA checklist of what to hide before you post a photo: faces, plates, house numbers, screens, tickets and hidden location data, and how to cover them in a minute.2 min read
- How to remove location data from photos before sharingPhone photos often store GPS coordinates in hidden EXIF data. What it reveals, how to check for it, and how to export a clean copy with the location removed.2 min read
Aadhaar, PAN and Indian documents
- How to mask your Aadhaar card (and when you should)What a masked Aadhaar is, when to share one, and two ways to make it: download it from UIDAI, or mask a photo or PDF you already have in one click.2 min read
- How to mask Aadhaar on your phoneMask your Aadhaar on an Android phone or iPhone in the browser, from a card photo or the e-Aadhaar PDF. No app to install and nothing uploaded. Step by step.2 min read
- What is the e-Aadhaar PDF password?The e-Aadhaar password is the first 4 letters of your name in capitals plus your year of birth. Examples, common mistakes, and how to mask the PDF once it's open.2 min read
- What does the Aadhaar QR code contain, and should you hide it?The QR code on your Aadhaar holds your personal details in a form anyone with a scanner can read. What it can include, and how to cover it on a copy.2 min read
- Aadhaar copy for hotel check-in: share a masked oneHotels, homestays and travel desks often ask for an Aadhaar copy. How to give them a masked one with only the last 4 digits, and what else to hide first.2 min read
- How to blur PAN card details, depending on why it's asked forWhat to hide on a PAN card copy depends on who wants it. Keep the number when it's needed, hide date of birth, father's name, photo and QR code when it isn't.2 min read
- Should you share your voter ID and EPIC number?Your EPIC number links to your electoral roll entry. When it's fine to share a voter ID, what it reveals about you, and how to cover the number and address.2 min read
- Sharing a driving licence copy: what to hide (India)Before you send a copy of your Indian driving licence, decide what the other side really needs. Which details to cover, which to keep, and how to do it fast.2 min read
- Rent agreement documents: what tenants and landlords should shareRenting a flat in India? Which ID and address copies tenants and landlords usually exchange, what each side can mask, and when a full copy may be needed.2 min read
- How to share ID documents safely for KYCA practical checklist for sending Aadhaar, PAN, passport or bank documents: share only what's needed, hide the rest, and keep control of your copies.2 min read
- GST certificate: what to hide before sharing itClients and platforms ask for your GST registration certificate. What it reveals, why the GSTIN contains your PAN, and which details you can safely cover.2 min read
Banking, salary and payments
- What to hide on a cancelled cheque before you share itA cancelled cheque proves your bank account, but it also carries details you may not want to share. What to keep, what to hide, and how to cancel it safely.2 min read
- How to hide your account number in a bank statementYour account number can appear on every page of a statement, in headers and in transactions. How to cover all of them in one pass, and keep the last 4 if needed.2 min read
- Bank statement for a visa: what to hide and what to keepVisa applications ask for bank statements to show funds, not every detail of your life. What usually has to stay, what you might hide, and why to check first.2 min read
- How to share a salary slip safelyLandlords, lenders and new employers ask for salary slips. How to keep the figures they need visible and hide your PAN, UAN, PF and bank account numbers.2 min read
- What to hide in Form 16 before you share itForm 16 shows your PAN, your employer's details and a full breakdown of your salary and tax. What to keep, what to hide, and how to redact the PDF safely.2 min read
- How to blur your UPI ID in a payment screenshotA UPI payment screenshot can show your UPI ID, phone number, bank and transaction ID. How to share proof of payment with only what the other person needs.2 min read
- What is a UTR number, and should you share it?A UTR number identifies a single bank transfer so it can be traced. What it is, when sharing it helps, when to hide it, and why it's no substitute for a PIN.2 min read
- How to hide a credit card number in a photoCover the card number, expiry date and CVV in a photo or screenshot before you post or send it. Why blur fails on card numbers, and what to keep visible.2 min read
- How to redact an invoice before sharing itHide client details, bank accounts, prices or tax IDs on an invoice before using it as a sample, for reimbursement or in a dispute. What to cover in each case.2 min read
US documents
- How to redact a Social Security number on any documentFind and black out every Social Security number in a PDF, scan or photo, keep the last 4 digits if needed, and check that the full number is really gone.2 min read
- How to redact a W-2 for a mortgage applicationSending W-2s for a mortgage or pre-approval? What the lender usually looks at, what you can ask to cover, and how to redact a W-2 PDF without uploading it.2 min read
- How to share a copy of your driver's license safelyLandlords, employers and rental companies ask for a copy of your US driver's license. What each one needs, what to hide, and what to do about the barcode.2 min read
- Bank statements for an apartment application: what to hideApplying to rent in the US? What landlords usually look for in bank statements, how to hide account numbers and private transactions, and red flags to watch.2 min read
- Passport copy: what to hide before you send itA passport scan is one of the most complete ID documents you own. What to cover on the photo page and the rest of the passport, and when to send it in full.2 min read
Privacy basics
- What to hide before sharing documents online: a checklistA document-by-document checklist of what to hide before you share IDs, bank papers, payslips, tax forms, invoices and screenshots online, with a tool for each.2 min read
- What is PII? Personally identifiable information explainedPII is any information that can identify a person, alone or combined with other details. Clear examples from everyday documents, and how to find and hide it.2 min read
- Is it safe to use online PDF tools?Many online PDF tools upload your file to a server. What that means for private documents, how to tell if a tool uploads, and what to check before using one.2 min read
- How to send documents securely by email or chatBefore sending an ID, statement or contract by email or chat: confirm the requester, send a masked copy, strip hidden data, and delete copies you don't need.2 min read
- How to anonymize resumes for blind hiringRemove names, photos, contact details and other identity clues from resumes before reviewers see them. What to hide, what to keep, and how to do a whole batch.2 min read
- How to redact medical records before sharing themA practical way to hide names, IDs and other personal details in medical reports and records: what to cover for each purpose, done privately in your browser.2 min read