In the early days, when the internet was a new thing, numerous limitations existed, especially with emails, where the sender sent a message to the recipient in plain text format. Any third party can easily knock into their private chats. As soon as the internet progressed, its related products also improved.
Meanwhile, emails now have an encryption feature that lets users access a particular email with an encryption key. Even though the feature was announced full of roar, some users still unaware and are today looking for a guide that helps them encrypt emails. For this reason, below is a guide to help you do so.
How do I encrypt emails in Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook?
Email encryption is necessary to keep your information private, avoid re-sending messages, and for several other reasons. There are two types of security layers for email encryption: transport level and end-to-end encryption. Although both are dedicated to email encryption, when you want to have encrypted mail, then consider the transport level.
And if you want to have your email encrypted entirely, then end-to-end encryption is the best option. There are numerous email services that users today usually pursue. But among them, Yahoo, Gmail, and Outlook are the significant names that contain a large bulk of users. So, below, we are trying to explain email encryption for each of them.
Email encryption on Gmail
Google’s trust is such that Gmail has the most extensive user base of the other two email services. Keeping such things in mind, Gmail always tries to improve and cater to the best user experience. Similarly, email encryption is a significant addition to Gmail. For this reason, the S/MIME protocol is a built-in protocol in Gmail initially enabled for business and education-based accounts.
Moreover, if you want to enable such an email encryption protocol, you need a Gmail account. Once you have such an account, follow the instructions below to get your email encrypted in Gmail.
- Sign in to your Google Admin Control.
- Head over to Menu >> Apps >> Google Workspace >> Gmail >> User Settings.
- Select the domain or organisation appearing on the left under the Organisation Section.
- Now scroll down to S/MIME Settings and enable S/MIME encryption for sending and receiving emails.
- Then, click on Save and open Gmail.
- Click on Compose and prepare your mail.
- Once finished, insert the recipient’s name and click on the lock icon next to it.
- Choose your encryption level and check the encryption status below the signs.
- Red: Not encrypted.
- Green: encrypted and only decrypted with a private key.
- Grey: Encrypted at TLS level.
- After that, click on the Send button to send your encrypted email.
- That’s it, and in such a way, your email will be encrypted on Gmail.
Email encryption in Outlook
Similar to Google, there is one other company that builds trustworthy products. Microsoft is known as the King of Windows. Microsoft launched Outlook to create an ecosystem for its Windows users. But, initially, there was no encryption available to protect their emails. All thanks to the S/MIME protocol, which is compatible with Outlook.
Unlike Gmail, Outlook needs additional steps to set up the S/MIME protocol. Because here, Outlook has other configured procedures than Gmail. Below are some instructions on how to encrypt emails in Outlook.
- Get a certificate (digital ID) from your organisation’s administrator.
- Then, create a new message and click on More >> Messages >> Encrypt this message (S/MIME).
- Following this, you will be prompted to install the S/MIME controller.
- Now, select Run and verify it to continue the installation.
- As a result, the S/MIME controller will be installed.
- After that, compose a new email and tap on the gear icon next to the recipient’s name.
- Choose your preferred encryption settings, and send that email privately.
- That’s it, and you have successfully encrypted your email in Outlook.
Email encryption on Yahoo
Unlike Google and Outlook, Yahoo does not have an in-built S/MIME protocol to encrypt emails. Instead, Yahoo servers over SSL by default and requires third-party apps to use the S/MIME protocol. However, there are numerous third-party apps available to run the S/MIME protocol, but Virtru.com is the most recommended one.
Meanwhile, email encryption on Yahoo is possible, but not so easy. Because it has no default S/MIME protocol to encrypt, if you are a Yahoo user and want to have encrypted emails, then use its SLS protocol and a third-party app to integrate them and get an encrypted email service on Yahoo Mail.
Besides that, you can also look up email encryption services. We recommend that you visit Proton Mail and check whether the service suits your needs or not. But, as we observed, it will surely help you as it has free-to-use, end-to-end encryption and has 95% positive ratings. So, if you don’t want to do such a S/MIME protocol hassle, use this email encryption service.