How to Strip Encrypted Emails in Thunderbird
You can import digital certificates into Thunderbird to strip the encryption from received emails, thereby making it possible to view encrypted content. The certificate file that you have saved on your computer includes the necessary key for undoing the encryption that the sender of the email placed on the message. Without this certificate you won't be able to read the email.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Launch Mozilla Thunderbird.
-
2
Click Tools at the top of the window, and select Account Settings.
-
-
3
Click Security from the column at the left side of the window.
-
4
Click View Certificates at the bottom of the window, and then click the Your Certificates tab at the top of the window.
-
5
Click the "Import" button, browse to your certificate file and double-click the file to import it into Thunderbird.
-
6
Follow the prompts to create your Software Security Device password.
-
7
Enter the certificate password set when prompted, and then click "OK" to save your changes. Note that the certificate password set is not the Software Security Device password. The certificate password set is distributed with the certificate file. Thunderbird will now use the installed certificate to strip encryption from emails that are sent using that certificate.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Sending an encrypted message requires the use of a public key, which triggers the encryption. While many may have access to this public key, the data can be unlocked only with the private key held by the message's recipient. The private key is held in the certificate that you import into Thunderbird.
