How to password protect your email messages

Do you ever wish your emails could be extra secure so they can’t be opened by just anyone?

Whether you’re sending private messages containing sensitive or personal information, or you just want to be sure no one else sees what’s on the other end other than the recipient you intend, it’s time to password-protect your emails.

 

What does password-protecting an email entail?

Password-protecting an email involves setting a password or passphrase to prevent unauthorized access to the email. This typically involves encrypting the contents of the email with the password so that anyone who tries to access the email without the correct password will not be able to read its contents.

Encryption locks the content of the email so that the intended recipients are the only ones who can read the email.  Hackers often prey on standard or unsecured email using tools that can intercept and read through email looking for personal data such as credit card numbers and identifiable names to harvest.

 

How to send a password-protected email using Gmail

You can send messages and attachments with Gmail’s confidential mode to help protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. You can use confidential mode to set an expiration date for messages or revoke access at any time. Recipients of the confidential message will have options to forward, copy, print, and download.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. On your computer, go to Gmail

2. Click Compose

3. In the bottom right of the window, click Turn on confidential mode (which looks like a lock)

4. Set an expiration date and passcode. These settings impact both the message text and any attachments:

• If you choose “No SMS passcode,” recipients using the Gmail app will be able to open it directly. Recipients who don’t use Gmail will get emailed a passcode
• If you choose “SMS passcode,” recipients will get a passcode by text message. Make sure you enter the recipient’s phone number, not your own

5. Click Save

6. Then compose your email and add the person’s email address that you are sending it to and push send 

If you’re using Gmail with a work or school account, you may need to contact your admin to make sure you can use confidential mode.

 

How to send a password-protected email using Outlook on your PC

You can use the built-in encryption feature that comes with Microsoft 365 Outlook.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. If you are a Microsoft 365 subscriber,  open Microsoft Outlook and click on “New Email” to create a new message

2. In the “Options” tab, click on “Encrypt” in the “Tags” section.

3. If you want to protect the email with a password, click on “Set Permissions” and select “Encrypt-Only”

4. Click on “OK” and then click on “Send” to send the email

Note:  When the recipient receives the email, they will need to enter the password that you set in order to view the message. Keep in mind that the recipient will also need to be using an email program that supports encryption in order to view the encrypted message.

How to password-protect your email using StartMail

As I have said before, SmartMail is a great email provider if you are looking for a secure and user-friendly email service with advanced features and spam protection.

The best part of using StartMail is you can send a password-protected email to anyone, not just another StartMail user. If you decide to get an account, it’s easy to migrate your current email to your new StartMail address, slow down the spam, and increase your privacy.

 

Follow these steps to send a password-protected email.

1. Compose an email
2. Toggle on Encrypt in the email menu
3. After you click on the Send encrypted button to send your email, an “Encrypt with a password” screen will pop up
4. Create a password with a personal message (could be a hint about the password) and then click Send Encrypted
5. You’ll be prompted to create a password only you and the recipient/s will know
6. Your email will appear in the recipient’s inbox, and it will contain a URL that will allow them to enter your pre-set password and access the full email

Important: Recipients can see the messages you sent with a password for up to 28 days. The replies from recipients to your password-protected emails are also encrypted.To sign up for a StartMail account – we have an exclusive deal for CyberGuy readers: 50% off: $29.98 for first year ($2.50 per month, billed annually).  Includes a free 7-day trial. Your plan includes the following:

• StartMail email address
• 20 GB of email
• Unlimited aliases
• Access email on any device
• Import your contacts easily
• no ads, no tracking
• send encrypted emails to anyone

 

Related:

• What to do if your friends got an email from you that you didn’t send
• Unwanted emails flooding your inbox? Here’s what you can do

 

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