What is Email Encryption?

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Emails are the authenticated communication of the organizations, which are mandatory to be protected against the leakage of sensitive & confidential data. Email encryption helps secure these important mail messages by ensuring the mail reaches the authorized user through many types of email encryption methods & email encryption software.

What is email encryption?

Email encryption is a procedure that secures the email messages into an unreadable format and ensures the messages are read by authorized users only. Hence, it is difficult for those who are not allowed to read the messages’ contents.

Most popular free-to-use online email services do not encrypt messages sent over the Internet, and hackers can easily intercept these messages and access private information. Email encryption utilizes public-key cryptography and digital signatures to secure emails and ensures that only the intended recipient can read the message.

How does email encryption work?

Email encryption works by encrypting the email message before it’s sent from one device to another. The recipient then decrypts the message using a secret password or private key. This process ensures that only the intended recipient has access to the content of the message.

Why should I use encrypted emails?

Encrypting your emails helps protect your privacy and protect against hackers who may be trying to intercept your messages as they travel across the Internet. If someone were able to read your unencrypted emails, they could use your login credentials to gain access to your online accounts and also use your email addresses to send spam messages to others.

With encrypted emails, the email provider will not be able to see what you’re sending unless you permit them to do so. They won’t know anything about your contacts or any sensitive information you might include within the message.

Types of email encryption:

Email encryption software allows you to send and receive encrypted emails through an email client, like Outlook or Apple Mail. This way, the contents of the messages are protected from anyone who might intercept them. Webmail services like Gmail or Yahoo Mail don’t encrypt emails. However, there are third-party services that allow doing so. The most common Email Encryption types are:

  1. PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)
  2. S/MIME (Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)
  3. TLS (Transport Layer Security)

Let’s take a detailed look into the types of encryption formats included in the encryption software for Email Encryption:

  1. PGP – pretty good privacy:

    PGP is an open-source application that enables users to send out encrypted emails. Individuals utilize their public secrets to verify themselves. This means that others can verify who sent the email by checking if the sender unlocked the email with their private key. Use PGP to keep your communications private. It works with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, Android, BlackBerry, etc.

  2. S/MIME – secure multipurpose internet mail extensions:

    S/MIME, known as Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), is a standard used to deliver public-key encryption and digital signatures. This is now used in the latest email software services and was developed by RSA Data Security. S/MIME is similar to PGP in its functionality, but users need to obtain keys directly from a specific Certificate Authority (CA).

  3. TLS (transport layer security):

    TLS, introduced in 1999, is a cryptographic protocol that secured the Internet first. It enables messages through a secure network and is usually used for email, VoIP, etc.TLS ensures information security and protection between two applications. It runs in the Application Layer and contains the TLS Record and TLS Handshake conventions.

Email-Encryption

Enterprise email encryption

Email Encryption Solutions offer easy ways for Businesses to encrypt emails by automating the security procedure & allowing users to secure emails quickly. They conserve admins the hassle of setting up encryption tricks, enabling admins to set policies that immediately secure delicate emails.

Cloud-based services typically need a plug-in to be set up in the email client, which provides individuals access to security. This supplies admins with a dashboard to check the sent-out emails, but lots will conceal the material of emails from IT admins.

Numerous security remedies offer end-users more control over their email, with alternatives such as revoking accessibility, stopping email forwarding, stopping printing or copying/pasting emails, and the capacity to request signatures in encrypted attachments. The leading vendors will execute functions best for organizations that need safe invoicing and calls sent out through email.

Get your mail software secured with the email encryption expertise from ExterNetworks.

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