Have you ever wanted your emails to 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 make sure no one but your intended recipient sees what’s going on, it’s time to password-protect your emails.
What is involved in password-protecting an email?
Password-protecting an email involves setting a password or passphrase to prevent unauthorized access to the email. This usually involves encrypting the contents of the email with a 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 an email so that only intended recipients can read the email.
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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 recognizable names to harvest.
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How to send password-protected email using Gmail
You can send messages and attachments with Gmail’s incognito mode to help protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. You can use incognito mode to set an expiration date for messages or revoke access at any time. Recipients of the secret message will have options to forward, copy, print and download.
How to Password-Protect Your Emails in Gmail (Kurt Knutson)
Here are the steps to follow:
1. On your computer, go to Gmail
2. Click
write down
3. At the bottom right of the window, click Turn on incognito mode (which looks like a lock)
4. Make a set Expiry date and passcode. These settings affect both the message text and any attachments:
- If you select “No SMS Passcode”. Recipients using the Gmail app will be able to open it directly. Recipients who do not use Gmail will be emailed a passcode
- If you select “SMS Passcode”. Recipients will receive a passcode via text message. Make sure you enter the recipient’s phone number, not your own.
5. Click save
6. Then write your email and add the email address of the person 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 administrator to make sure you can use incognito mode.
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How to send password-protected email using Outlook on your PC
You can use the built-in encryption feature that comes with Microsoft 365 Outlook.
How to Password-Protect Your Emails in Outlook Mail (Kurt Knutson)
Here are the steps to follow:
1. If you are a Microsoft 365 subscriber, open Microsoft Outlook and click “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 “Set Authorities” And choose “encrypt-only”
4. Click on “okay” And then click on “send” To send email.
If you want to protect your emails with a password, click “Set permissions” and select “Encrypt-only”. (Kurt Knutson)
Note: When the recipient receives the email, they will need to enter the password you set to view the message. Note that the recipient will also need to use an email program that supports encryption to view the encrypted message.
Additionally, the Encrypt-only feature (option under the Encrypt button) is only enabled for subscribers (Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise users) who also use Exchange Online. Also, Microsoft 365 Message Encryption is part of the Office 365 Enterprise E3 license.
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Can I send password-protected email to Yahoo or AOL?
Yahoo Mail sends email securely in transit to the recipient through transport layer security, but it does not protect an email message with a password. AOL similarly does not easily encrypt email. This is why many people choose to use a third-party strong encryption email solution.
How to password-protect your email using StartMail
As I said earlier, Startmail is a great email provider if you are looking for a secure and user-friendly email service with advanced features and spam protection.
Here’s how to secure your emails using StartMail. (Kurt Knutson)
Follow these steps to send a password-protected email:
- write down an email
- Turn on the toggle Encrypt In the Email menu
- After clicking on Send encrypted button To send your email, a “Encrypt with password” The screen will appear
- Create a password with a personal message (there may be a hint about the password) and then click Send encrypted
- You will be asked to create a password that only you and the recipient will know
- Your email will appear in the recipient’s inbox, and will contain a URL that will allow them to enter your preset password and access the entire email.
Email recipients can view messages you send with a password for up to four weeks. (Kurt Knutson)
Important: Recipients can view messages sent with your password for up to 28 days. Recipients’ replies to your password-protected emails are also encrypted.
Check out my rankings for the best private and secure email servers for this year by visiting CyberGuy.com by clicking the magnifying glass at the top of my website and searching for “best private and secure email providers.” .
Subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report newsletter by clicking the “Free Newsletter” link at the top of my website for more tips. (Kurt Knutson)
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