Encrypt email messages

Encrypting an email message in Microsoft Outlook 2013 protects the privacy of the message by converting it from readable plain text into scrambled cipher text. Only the recipient who has the private key that matches the public key used to encrypt the message can decipher the message for reading.

A recipient without the corresponding private key will see this message, "This item cannot be displayed in the Reading Pane. Open the item to read its contents." If the recipient tries to open the item, a dialog box pops up saying "Sorry, we're having trouble opening this item. This could be temporary, but if you see it again you might want to restart Outlook. Your Digital ID name cannot be found by the underlying security system."

Notes

Sending and viewing encrypted email messages requires both sender and recipient to share their digital ID, or public key certificate. This means that you and the recipient each must send the other a digitally signed message, which enables you to add the other person's certificate to your Contacts. You can’t encrypt email messages without a digital ID.

If you send an encrypted message to a recipient whose email setup doesn’t support encryption, you are offered the option of sending the message in unencrypted format.

This process also encrypts any attachments sent with encrypted messages.

Encrypt all outgoing messages

When you choose to encrypt all outgoing messages by default, you can write and send messages the same as with any other messages, but all potential recipients must have your digital ID to decode or view your messages.

Click the File tab.

Click Options.

Click Trust Center.

Click Trust Center Settings.

On the Email Security tab, under Encrypted email, select the Encrypt contents and attachments for outgoing messages check box.

To change additional settings, such as choosing a specific certificate to use, click Settings.