How To Send And Receive Encrypted E-Mail In GMail

Sometimes, we feel the necessity of encrypting mails while sending some sensitive data through regular web mail services. Almost all of the popular mailing services do not support mail encryption feature. However, with the help of some third party software and add-ons, we can avail this feature very easily for GMail. All we need is a key generation and distribution software, and a Firefox add-on to integrate the encryption feature in GMail interface. Let's see how to install and use this extremely useful and easy to use option for encrypting mails.

Install Key Generation and Distribution Software

First of all, download Gpg4win, a free and open source key generation and distribution software. After installation, create a public/private key pair for encrypting/decrypting your mails.

The key generation process is extremely simple and is done through a wizard. All you have to provide is name, email address and passphrase (password of private key).

Next you have to store your public key in central repository, so that anyone who wants to send you encrypted mail can use it for encrypting the mails sent to you. In the same way, both parties create their key pair and export the public key on central server to allow people to encrypt mails using that key. The exporting process just requires right click on key pair in list and sending it to the selected server in the menu.

Install FireGPG Plugin For Firefox

The next step is to install FireGPG plugin for Firefox. This plugin facilitates the use of PGP encryption technology from within the browser with ease. It also adds encryption support in GMail interface to make the process extremely simple.

While sending an encrypted mail, you have to select the public key of your friend from the list, which was imported by you from the central repository. You can optionally sign it with your private key, so that if the recipient wants to confirm the sender of the mail, he can verify it by your digital signature embedded in the mail.

Send and Receive Encrypted E-mail in Gmail

This video demonstrates the whole process in easy steps. If you still remain confused, leave a comment below and I'll try my best to get it resolved for you.

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