When you have sensitive information that needs to be sent securely, it’s possible to send it through email. But remember, there are certain steps you have to take in order to give it that extra amount of security.
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#1: Use a Temporary Email Service
One option is to use a temporary email service so that what you are sending is not linked to any of your other personal information. You can use Chrome password keeper or a different password management solution in order to keep track of all of your different email accounts and associated passwords.
These temporary email services were originally designed to help cut down on the amount of spam you receive. They work great because they are more anonymous than using your regular email, and the information you send won’t be stored with your personal emails for someone to eventually stumble onto.
#2: Encrypt a Zipped Folder
You can use a utility like WinZip in order to encrypt zipped up information in a file folder. You then send that as an attachment rather than sending the information in the email itself. This is a rather easy step after you’ve done it a few times.
Here’s what to do:
- Download WinZip if you don’t have it already installed.
- Open it up and select the folder you want to encrypt.
- Click on Encrypt Files and click OK.
- Make up a new password. This is what the person receiving the file will need to access it.
- Click OK. You’re done!
Now you simply add that encrypted zipped folder to your email and let the person on the other end know what the password is. That way you’ll know without a doubt that the only person accessing what’s inside is who you intended it to be.
#3: Keep Things Separated
Another method is to make sure that you don't send all the sensitive information at the same time and with the same means of communication. For example, if you are sending a password and username, send the username in the email but tell them the password either in person, or through a different messaging service.
That way the lock and key are not sent together in the same email. If you send the information together there will always be a lingering chance that someone could access it at some point in the future.
#4: Upgrade Your Email Service
If you are using an outdated email service you should upgrade to one that sends encrypted emails all the time. A service like Gmail will automatically encrypt your sent messages. It will also keep your incoming encrypted messages secure after you receive and read them. It’s also worth considering an integrated service like Sendgrid.
Of course, you can’t control which email service other people use when you send them an email, but at least you can make sure that you are using the most advanced email possible from your end.
As technology advances, new encryption methods are emerging, like blockchain and others. It’s only a matter of time before it will be easier than ever to send secure data back and forth. For now we’ll do what we can with what’s available, and make our emails as secure as possible.
