So much communication is done through email, both for business and pleasure. When emailing casually, the thought of how secure that information is might not cross your mind, but what happens when you send something meant for the recipient’s eyes only? The Answer is email encryption. 

Certain emails contain information that would be detrimental if widespread. Most don’t fall into this category – meaning they are sent “in the clear.” Things sent “in the clear” are more vulnerable to interception by hackers, so that’s not the route you want to go when sending sensitive information. 

To follow are services that allow you to send secure email, one-time messages, and instant messages.

Microsoft Office 365 | Microsoft 365

When you encrypt an email in Outlook, it is transformed from readable text into a scrambled jumble of cipher. In order to translate this into something that is once again readable, the recipient must provide a password that only they and the sender know. 

Office 365 supports two different kinds of encryption: S/MIME and Microsoft 365 encryption. To use S/MIME, both the sender and recipient must have an email application that supports the S/MIME standard, and Outlook does. For Microsoft 365, the sender must have Microsoft 365 Message Encryption, which Office 365 Enterprise E3 license includes.

SafeGmail

This service works just like Gmail, but more safely. If you need to send something that only the recipient should see, this is the way to go. The message is both encrypted and decrypted in the browser, and it stays encrypted within both inboxes, which means the sender and recipient are the only ones with access.

The messages automatically expire after a random amount of time, and SafeGmail works no matter what email provider the recipient uses. So, there’s no need for you both to have it.

The  email encryption extension is installed via Google Chrome.

Infoencrypt 

Infoencrypt, instead of an email provider, is a free web-based server that helps to keep your emails secure. By using a password, the content of your emails will only be accessible by yourself and the recipient. Along with the password, Infoencrypt uses a strong algorithm to keep your information private and secure; anyone who intercepts the message that doesn’t have the password will not be able to read it. 

This service doesn’t require any installation; it’s a website that anyone can use. 

RMail 

Rmail is similar to Infoencrypt in the way that it’s a web server, but this service charges after sending ten messages a month. With the same security offered on both ends, you will receive a Registered Receipt record that allows you to rest easy that your delivery was, in fact, encrypted. 

Sendinc 

No software is required in order to use Sendinc, it’s a simple web service just like Rmail and Infoencrypt. From the moment a message leaves your computer until the moment it arrives to the recipient’s inbox, it is encrypted. Not a moment passes during transit that the message is in any way insecure. To prevent any unexpected vulnerabilities, Sendinc also verifies that the person you’re sending the message to is, in fact, the intended recipient. 

Your email encryption uses a key that is randomly generated and sent in the form of a link – this message cannot be decrypted without the key, and no one else has a copy of the link that holds your key besides the recipient. Not even Sendinc! 

Hushmail 

Hushmail offers both free services and paid plans. They also provide mobile access, whereas other services may not. It looks like any other email site such as Gmail, Yahoo, etc., but adds strong security in the way of encryption to your emails. 

The paid plans include added storage, unlimited email aliases, tech support, and desktop access. 

 SafeMess

 After SafeMess is through with your message, it will be unreadable. Then, it’s safe to send or save for later use, only unlockable via a secret password of your choice. 

 SafeMess can be used via any medium; it’s optimal when you don’t want a message read by any possible interceptors, robots, or filters. SafeMess runs in your very own browser, so neither your uncoded message nor the password will travel across the internet to the SafeMess server. 

Microsoft 365 is the our recommended choice for email encryption. Not only are you able to get the encrypted email service it comes with a multitude of other software and services that will increase productivity as well as security including the entire office suite and Microsoft Teams collaboration tools among others. By using services that allow the safe sending of encrypted email, you can rest easy knowing that your sensitive information is secure and well-protected. These are some of the most highly-rated encryption services on the market right now, and are sure to get your private information from point A to point B without any worries about the journey between.