Email encryption means email security. Email encryption creates secure email by scrambling the data so only someone with the right password or other form of authorization can decrypt the message. In many cases, this process of encryption and decryption takes place without users ever knowing. Is your email account encrypted? In today’s world of phishing scams, ransomware attacks and data breaches, can you afford to risk losing sensitive information at the hands of cybercriminals?
You can lower the risk of someone stealing your personal information by utilizing email encryption. Sensitive information like social security numbers, bank accounts, credit card information and more will be encrypted from prying eyes and become harder to steal. Popular email providers such as Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, and more provide basic encryption, but cybercriminals can easily override their security settings. There are a few stronger solutions out there to encrypt emails, but some are better than others. Read on to find out which email encryption works best.
Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption
TLS or STARTTLS, is an encryption protocol that protects messages in transit from one server to another. You can check if your email address supports TLS in seconds with our free Secure Email Checker. However, if your email supports TLS, that does not mean your email is encrypted. TLS only works if the recipient email provider also supports TLS. Not all email providers support TLS, such as older legacy providers, which results in an unencrypted email written in plain text.
RELATED: How to Check for TLS to Secure Your Email
PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) data encryption
PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) follows the OpenPGP standard. It features the use of a public key and private key that locks and unlocks data. With this method, you need these particular keys for every single person you contact in order to ensure email security. Considering how much of a necessity email is in modern business, this isn't exactly the most efficient encryption method out there. Can you imagine how frustrating it would be to constantly enter an encryption key just to see a brief message? And what if you can't find the key? Having to always enter a password costs time, and time is money.
Email portals
Similar to a PGP, email portal systems work by keeping communication – including email communication – within the boundaries of the portal itself. You have to log in to access the outgoing mail service, and the receiver has to log in to access incoming mail. However, logging into an external portal all the time is an unnecessary step when it comes to encrypting your email. For the recipient's end, having to always comply with this extra step can be frustrating and can lead to a loss in business.
RELATED: How to Encrypt Gmail Is that a risk you're willing to take?
Blanket encryption
Most email encryption providers make sending an encrypted email optional because they know it can be bothersome for recipients. However, this leaves your business wide open for human error.
RELATED: 3 Insider Threats You Need to Plan For
Make sure you use an email service that encrypts message contents by default. This eliminates any concern for human error and keeps you clear of HIPAA violations. It's always better to be safe than sorry right?
Encrypted messages from any device
It's 2017. We are in a digital age. No longer are the days of having to log into a desktop to send and receive email. Now, you can send emails from your laptop, tablet, smartphone, and even smartwatch.
READ MORE: How to Send Encrypted Email from your Apple Watch
It's a brave new world. With that said, you need to make sure you have seamless encrypted email all around. Bonus points if there are no extra steps for any device you want to send an email, like no plug-ins or extra apps. The good news is, a seamless email encryption solution does exist out there: Paubox.
The easiest way to encrypt email
Paubox puts the user experience first for both senders and recipients, providing military grade encryption features without the hassle of extra steps. Because using Paubox Suite is so easy, we encrypt all emails and replies by default. This eliminates the chances of user error and sending unencrypted messages because you forgot to type a keyword or hit a button. Paubox also includes robust SPAM filtering that identifies malware and phishing attacks and has protocols against Ransomware. With seamless integration into business email platforms like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Exchange, you can keep your email address and domain as well. You even get a neat digital signature every time you compose a new message letting your recipients know that your email was encrypted for their safety and security by Paubox. Think of it as a digital certificate that assures your intended recipient that their privacy is protected.
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