Nov 11, 2019 Let’s break down how to send a secure email using various platforms and also send files securely from any of your devices. Best ways to send encrypted emails While there’s a hack to send encrypted emails in Outlook and Gmail, the best path to stay secure is to switch to an email provider that was built with encryption in mind from the.
If you use the Mail app on your Mac for work, or just want more security in your messages, then you will want to look at encrypting them. But how do you do this in Mail for Mac? It's a little complex, but we'll show you how to do so in this guide.
How do I obtain a personal certificate?
Before you are able to start sending and receiving encrypted emails, you will need to have a personal certificate in your Keychain. To get one, do the following:
Launch Keychain Access on your Mac (Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access).
- Click Keychain Access in the menubar.
Hover over Certificate Assistant and click Request a Certificate From a Certificate Authority.
- Fill out the request form with your own information.
- For CA Email Address, you should check services like VeriSign, Inc. or RSA Data Security Inc. These are companies that verify the identities of computers on a network and issues certificates.
- Choose whether or not you want the certificate emailed to the CA or Saved to Disk.
Click Continue.
- If you chose Saved to Disk, specify the location to save to.
Locate the certificates and open them with Certificate Assistant.
- Select the Issuing CA from the drop-down menu.
- You can choose to override the defaults if need be.
Click Continue.
- Select the Create a certificate for yourself option.
Click Continue.
Double check the information, and then click Create.
- You should select Self Signed Root as the default.
- Certificate type should be S/MIME (Email).
- It will prompt you for confirmation. Click Continue.
Your certificate has been created, so click Done.
Once you create your certificate, it is automatically added to Keychain.
How do I send digitally signed and encrypted emails on Mail for Mac
Top 5 Encrypted Secure Email Apps For Mac Computer
When you have your certificate, it means that your recipients can verify you as the sender, adding another layer of security. However, to send encrypted messages, the recipient's certificate must be in your keychain.
- Launch Mail on your Mac.
Click on the Compose button, or File > New Message to create a new message.
- In the From field, click and choose the email account that you have a personal certificate for in your keychain.
In the subject line, there will be a checkmark box at the end on the account with a certificate. Click the checkmark button to turn on your digital signature.
- Address the email message to your recipients.
- The Encrypted symbol (closed lock) will appear next to the Signed icon if you have a certificate for every single recipient that the message is being addressed to.
- If you do not have the certificate for all recipients, then the message must be sent unencrypted.
How to receive digitally signed and encrypted emails on Mail for Mac
Again, remember that you need to provide senders with your own verified certificate in order to receive encrypted messages.
Mail for Mac has a Security field in the header area that indicates whether a message is signed or encrypted.
For signed messages, you will see a signed icon (checkmark) in the header. If you need to, just click the icon to view certificate details.
- Messages that are altered after they've been signed will have issues with verification.
- For encrypted messages, a lock icon appears in the header. If you have your private key in Keychain, the message will be decrypted for viewing. Otherwise, it won't be decrypted.
Always have these necessities on-hand
Seagate Backup Plus Slim 1TB($50 at Amazon)
You should always be backing up your computer. This Seagate portable drive goes up to 5TB in space and will work flawlessly with your Mac. It's highly affordable, so there's no reason why you shouldn't be backing up regularly. Keep your certificate copies on this secure drive!
Gesture-based email($99 at Amazon)
The Magic Trackpad lets you swipe and tap away with ease! This will help make managing your email easier due to easily accessible gestures.
Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad($139 at Amazon)
If you're going to be dealing with email all day, then make sure you have the Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad. It comes in the awesome space gray color, and the number pad makes it easier to type in numbers when you need them.
Questions?
Having digital signatures and encryption on email may seem like a lot of extra work, but if you want security and peace of mind when it comes to important email messages, then it's the best way. After all, who wants just anyone to see their top secret plans and whatnot?
Any questions, drop them in the comments and we'll do our best to help.
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BestEmail Apps for Windows 10Windows Central2020
The flow of email headed your way never abates, and you need a robust and easy-to-use Windows 10 app to help you manage it all. The Mail app that comes with Windows 10 is more than enough for a lot of people, but there are hundreds of other email apps vying for your attention. If you've recently moved to a work from home situation, having a proper email app is no doubt more important than ever. To help you decide which is best suited for you, we rounded up a bunch of the best out there that work with Windows 10.
Free Email: Thunderbird
Editor's choiceThunderbird is a free, open-source email client from Mozilla, most famous for its Firefox web browser. It's full of features that make it easy to navigate and use, and there are a ton of add-ons available for specialized needs. At its core, you're getting a powerful mail tool with a tab system, built-in web search bar, smart folders, real-time contact chat, one-click address book, and more.
Free at ThunderbirdPart of Office 365: Outlook
Staff pickAlthough Outlook comes bundled in most Office 365 plans, it can also be purchased separately. Outlook supports practically every email service, allowing you to keep track of all your addresses in one spot. Along with calendar and task integration, Outlook has a load of adjustable inbox rules to help keep you in the know.
$140 at MicrosoftLightweight Client: Mailbird
Mailbird is a lightweight client that won't bog down your PC, but it can be fully customized to have it look exactly how you want. You can sync all of your accounts into one manageable inbox, and you can create your own quick replies, drag and drop attachments, and even search for messages just by clicking a user's profile picture. A free trial is available, as well as monthly or lifetime subscriptions.
From $2 monthly at MailbirdLots of Customization: eM Client
With plenty of customization options — including those for behavior and appearance — and support for popular email services, you can easily make it feel like you've been using eM Client for years. An update added PGP encryption support for anyone who needs to send encrypted emails, plus live backup will now run while you continue working within the app. A free version without all features is available, though the Pro version is a one-time buy.
Free at eM ClientSimple User Interface: Claws Mail
Veteran Windows users will be immediately reminded of the old days when they see the Claws Mail user interface. Don't let its simplicity fool you; this is an able app geared toward advanced users who don't mind setting things up on their own, and it works well on older PCs thanks to low system requirements. The retro vibe (and everything else) is completely free.
Free at ClawsHave a Conversation: Spike
Dealing with traditional email might be starting to feel a bit antiquated, especially in the face of instant messaging apps, but Spike attempts to bridge the gap. It displays email as more of a conversation, with read and send receipts, avatars, and smart organization. Apps are available for Windows 10, macOS, iOS, and Android, and you can give it a shot for free for a personal account, with Pro accounts starting at $6 per month.
Free at SpikeNowIf we're making some suggestions
Free Encrypted Email Providers
If you're struggling to handle your flow of email in your current app, any of these options will surely help. As far as free options go, Thunderbird is an outstanding open-source app full of features that many can't leave behind. It's lightweight so it won't bog down your system, it's secure, and it's stocked with the tools needed to get a handle on incoming and outgoing messages.
As for a paid app, Outlook has been treating us well for years. It's the app many of us know and love, thanks to wide email service support, calendar and task integration, and many more features that work with you rather than against you.
Considering you can buy Outlook as a separate purchase or as part of an Office 365 subscription, you can get your hands on the full suite of Office software for one basic price that includes 1TB of OneDrive storage. Quite the deal.
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