Encrypted Email: How to Send Messages No One Else Can Read

Why Email Encryption Matters

Standard email is sent in plain text across multiple servers. Your ISP, email provider, and any network between you and the recipient can potentially read your messages. For sensitive communications — legal matters, medical information, financial details, or confidential business — this is unacceptable.

Types of Email Encryption

Transport Encryption (TLS)

Most email providers now encrypt emails in transit between servers using TLS. This prevents eavesdropping during transmission but does NOT prevent the email provider from reading your messages. Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo all use TLS.

End-to-End Encryption (E2EE)

The gold standard. Messages are encrypted on your device and can only be decrypted by the recipient. Not even the email provider can read them. Requires both sender and recipient to use compatible systems.

PGP/GPG Encryption

Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) and its open-source implementation GNU Privacy Guard (GPG) are the traditional method for end-to-end email encryption. You create a public/private key pair, share your public key, and others use it to encrypt messages that only your private key can decrypt.

Easiest Options for Encrypted Email

ProtonMail

The most user-friendly encrypted email service:

• End-to-end encryption between ProtonMail users automatically
• Can send encrypted messages to non-ProtonMail users via password-protected links
• Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws
• Open source and independently audited
• Free tier available

Tutanota

German-based alternative to ProtonMail:

• End-to-end encryption for all messages between Tutanota users
• Encrypted external messages via shared password
• Encrypted calendar and contacts
• More affordable than ProtonMail

Apple Mail Privacy Protection

If you use Apple devices, Mail Privacy Protection hides your IP address and blocks tracking pixels. While not full encryption, it significantly improves email privacy.

When to Use Encrypted Email

Consider encrypted email for:

• Legal communications
• Medical and health information
• Financial documents and tax information
• Sensitive business discussions
• Journalist-source communications
• Any information that could cause harm if exposed

Quick Start Guide

The fastest path to encrypted email:

1. Create a ProtonMail account for sensitive communications
2. Enable two-factor authentication immediately
3. Use ProtonMail for important emails — keep your regular email for newsletters and low-sensitivity communication
4. Protect your ProtonMail password with our Password Generator — if this password is compromised, your encrypted email is too

Email encryption does not have to be complicated. Even partial adoption dramatically improves your communication privacy.