How to Find Privacy Software to Encode E-mail

It's becoming easier for hackers and online snoops to intercept and forge e-mail. To avoid these problems, use a reliable privacy program to encode your sensitive e-mails and ensure that they'll only be read by the intended recipients.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Privacy Programs

1. Determine how important encryption is to you and whether it's worth paying for. (There are some freeware privacy programs available.)

2. Find out what type or brand of privacy software your friends and colleagues use.

3. Browse the Web for encryption programs and explore your options.

4. Visit a local software retailer and ask a sales representative for assistance if necessary.

5. Purchase and/or download an encryption program that suits your needs and is compatible with your e-mail software.

Tips & Warnings

• The most common form of encryption software uses the public-private key system. This is best for personal and small business e-mail use.
• A similar, but more centralized, encryption method employs data certificates to encode and authenticate e-mail. This type of program is better for a large network.
• PGP, or Pretty Good Privacy, is one of the most well known privacy applications.