Why Use Encryption

Introduction

Email has become an integral part of our daily communication, both personal and professional. However, the convenience of email also comes with risks, as sensitive information can be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties. This is where email encryption comes into play, providing an essential layer of security to protect your privacy and safeguard your sensitive data. 12

Email encryption is the process of encoding the content of an email message, including attachments, in a way that only the intended recipient(s) can read it. This is achieved through the use of encryption algorithms and cryptographic keys, which scramble the data into an unreadable format. Without the proper decryption key, the encrypted email remains indecipherable to anyone who intercepts or gains unauthorized access to it. 14

Why?

There are several compelling reasons why you should consider using encryption for your personal sensitive emails:

1. Privacy Protection: Encryption ensures that your private communications, such as financial information, medical records, or confidential personal details, remain secure and inaccessible to prying eyes. 12
2. Data Security: In the event of a data breach or email account compromise, encrypted emails provide an additional layer of protection, preventing unauthorized access to your sensitive information. 14
3. Regulatory Compliance: In certain industries or jurisdictions, encryption may be a legal requirement for handling sensitive data, such as personal health information or financial records. 4
4. Peace of Mind: Knowing that your sensitive emails are encrypted can provide you with peace of mind, especially when communicating sensitive information over the internet. 12

How?

While Gmail does not offer built-in email encryption, you can use third-party encryption services or browser extensions to encrypt your emails. One popular option is the free and open-source encryption software, GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG or GPG). Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to send an encrypted email through Gmail webmail using GPG:34

1. Install the GPG Browser Extension: For this example, we’ll use the “Mailvelope” extension for Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. After installing the extension, you’ll need to generate a new key pair or import an existing one.
2. Compose a New Email: In your Gmail webmail, start composing a new email as you normally would.
3. Enable Encryption: Look for the Mailvelope icon (a small padlock) in your browser’s toolbar or the Gmail compose window. Click on it to enable encryption for the current email.
4. Import Recipient’s Public Key: If you haven’t already, you’ll need to import the recipient’s public key. You can either import it from a key server or ask the recipient to send you their public key.
5. Encrypt the Email: After importing the recipient’s public key, click the “Encrypt” button in the Mailvelope interface. This will encrypt the email body and any attachments using the recipient’s public key.
6. Send the Encrypted Email: Once the encryption process is complete, you can send the email as you normally would. The recipient will need to have their own encryption software (like GPG) and your public key to decrypt and read the encrypted email.

Conclusion

It’s important to note that email encryption is not a foolproof solution, and it’s essential to follow best practices for secure communication, such as verifying the recipient’s identity and keeping your encryption keys safe. Additionally, both the sender and recipient must have compatible encryption software and properly exchange public keys for the encryption process to work seamlessly. 4

By incorporating email encryption into your personal communication practices, you can significantly enhance the security and privacy of your sensitive information, providing an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

Bibliography

1. “Email Encryption Blog,” Egress, accessed April 22, 2024, https://www.egress.com/blog/email-encryption.
2. “Importance of Email Security (6 Benefits of Email Encryption),” iCorps, accessed April 22, 2024, https://blog.icorps.com/bid/134740/top-6-reasons-for-email-encryption.
3. “How Easy is Email Encryption? You’d Be Surprised.,” Webroot, September 7, 2023, https://www.webroot.com/blog/2023/09/07/how-easy-is-email-encryption-youd-be-surprised/.
4. “Encrypting files and emails: A beginner’s guide to securing sensitive information,” AT&T Cybersecurity, May 16, 2023, https://cybersecurity.att.com/blogs/security-essentials/encrypting-files-and-emails-a-beginners-guide-to-securing-sensitive-information.