How to Send an Encrypted Email in Gmail


A guide to enhanced security

Do you know your inbox can be a source of leaks, leaving breadcrumbs all over, and luring cybercriminals to target you? This happens when you don’t encrypt your sensitive data and emails. Unencrypted emails can be like a door without a lock – anyone can get inside!

You can keep your inbox safe from all threats via encryption. Here, we focus on the basics of email encryption, and how you can encrypt your emails in Gmail – one of the most widely used email clients.


What is Email Encryption?

Official or personal - email is an important part of our lives and we rely heavily on it to send critical, sensitive, and confidential information. However, emails can be easily hacked which is a major risk.

Plus, unsecured emails, in most of the cases, are the leading cause of data breaches, identity theft, and privacy violations, which in turn cause huge losses to businesses and organizations.

Email encryption is a powerful mechanism that converts your sensitive data or information into an unreadable document. It can only be accessed by the recipient you have sent it to. This systematic process makes sure that in case your email gets hacked or accessed by any unknown person, they won’t be able to access any information without the help of a decryption key.

Thus, it creates a secure layer of protection for your confidential message, safeguarding it from external attacks and ensuring your sensitive information remains safe and confidential.


Is Gmail Encrypted?

Yes, Gmail employs security measures to protect your emails. However, understanding the different layers of security is essential to grasp the full extent of protection Gmail offers.


How Google Protects Most Messages?

Google uses a standard encryption method, which is mostly known as Transport Layer Security (TLS) that offers end-to-end encryption.

However, one disadvantage that this method seems to have is that  the receiver’s email service doesn't support TLS encryption, then the message goes unencrypted – a huge data breach risk. Plus, Google also scans every message sent for malicious content or potential spam with no promise of data privacy.

To tackle this problem and get peace of mind that your message will be safely transmitted to your recipient, opt for RMail, an award-winning email security solution from  RPost.


How to Send an Encrypted Email in Gmail?

Sending an encrypted email in Gmail is quite simple. Here are the steps you need to follow:

  1. Click on the “Compose” button for a new email. Gmail offers encryption through its “Confidential Mode” feature.
  2. Check the padlock icon in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
  3. Add an expiration date for your email. It will act as a self-destruct message and the email won’t be available to the receiver after that date.
  4. To make your email more secure, set a passcode that the receiver has to enter when he receives the message. The code will be sent via message to the receiver’s phone.

However, it is important to understand that no system is completely safe from susceptibilities. It's better to remain alert and adapt to secure email practices for our safety.


FAQs

Q: Is Gmail encryption completely secure?

Gmail's encryption methods, including TLS and Confidential Mode, provide robust security. However, no system is entirely immune to vulnerabilities, so it's essential to stay vigilant and employ best practices for email security.

Q: Can I use Confidential Mode for all my Gmail emails?

While you can use Confidential Mode for most emails, some restrictions apply. You cannot use it for emails sent through POP or IMAP email clients, and recipients must have a Gmail or Google Workspace account to open emails sent in Confidential Mode.

Q: What if I forget the passcode for an email sent in Confidential Mode?

If you forget the passcode, you can click on the "Forgot passcode" link in the email. Google will then send a new passcode to the recipient's email address.