Sending encrypted messages and learning how to open encrypted email is important if you wish to use this type of security feature. It offers quick and easy protection for all types of data and, in most cases, it is almost impossible for hackers to break into an encrypted email. This can be expensive, time-consuming, and ultimately destructive, as anyone accessing information on clients, customers, or even colleagues can use it for a range of fraudulent activities including identity theft and webcam hijacking.įor individuals, companies, and other organizations, ensuring your emails and attachments are secured against these threats through the use of email encryption is the best way to stay safe. Today, even the most technologically advanced companies can suffer data loss at the hands of hackers and tech-savvy competitors. However, you must generate and manage your own keycodes, making it less convenient than S/MIME.Īnyone considering the reasons why email encryption is important only needs to take a look at some of the high-profile data breaches over the past few years.
It is completely decentralized meaning that ONLY you and your recipient can access the data. This protocol requires third-party apps that support end-to-end encryption.
S/MIME provides encryption between you and your recipient, however, the potential still exists for your email provider to access your data. It works from a centralized authority that generates key codes automatically for you. This protocol is built directly into some email apps and software. The two main types of email encryption protocol are: Both also offer their own pros and cons when it comes to your communications. Your private key is what allows you to reassemble the data in its original form.ĭespite the fact that all email encryption is based loosely on the public and private key, there are, however, different types of email encryption which work in slightly different ways. This key is used to decrypt the email once you have received it. Private Key – The private key is stored safely away from the public and only you can access it.
For instance, if someone wanted to send you an encrypted email, they would use your public key to encrypt or digitally sign it. This key can be accessed by anyone and is used to encrypt emails. Public Key – The public key is stored on a key server and assigned to your name. Either way, email encryption follows the same steps, relying on both the public key and the private key in the following ways in order to effectively encrypt email:
This access can be automatically built into email software or managed manually. The use of these keys means that only the two corresponding parties can access information, data, and documents attached to encrypted emails.Įmail encryption works by allowing two parties access to the keys. Encryption and decryption are achieved through the use of PKI (Public Key Infrastructure), and anyone using encryption is assigned both a public and private key in the form of a digital code. Here, we take a look at exactly how email encryption works and how to encrypt your email so you can bring increased security to all of your communications.Įmail encryption is the process of jumbling up the data (encrypting) contained within an email to make it inaccessible to anyone who doesn’t have the means to reassemble the data (decrypting) in its original form. Learning how to encrypt messages and attachments is an important skill to have in a world where data security is a growing concern and privacy is increasingly important to Internet users. Depending on the type of email encryption used, it can also protect your communications from being accessed by email providers who may use the information in your mail for marketing purposes. It helps you to keep sensitive information, data, and documents from being accessed by unwanted third parties. Email encryption is a crucial tool in the fight against email hackers.