If you use the Mail app on your Mac for work, or just want more security in your messages, then you will want to look at encrypting them. But how do you do this in Mail for Mac? It's a little complex, but we'll show you how to do so in this guide.
Before you are able to start sending and receiving encrypted emails, you will need to have a personal certificate in your Keychain. To get one, do the following:
This article worked great for the Mail app in iOS 10.x, but then Apple released iOS 11 and blew everything up. It would be most helpful if an updated version of this article for iOS 11 couild be.
Launch Keychain Access on your Mac (Macintosh HD > Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access).
Hover over Certificate Assistant and click Request a Certificate From a Certificate Authority.
Click Continue.
Locate the certificates and open them with Certificate Assistant.
Click Continue.
Click Continue.
Double check the information, and then click Create.
Your certificate has been created, so click Done.
Once you create your certificate, it is automatically added to Keychain.
When you have your certificate, it means that your recipients can verify you as the sender, adding another layer of security. However, to send encrypted messages, the recipient's certificate must be in your keychain.
Click on the Compose button, or File > New Message to create a new message.
In the subject line, there will be a checkmark box at the end on the account with a certificate. Click the checkmark button to turn on your digital signature.
Again, remember that you need to provide senders with your own verified certificate in order to receive encrypted messages.
Mail for Mac has a Security field in the header area that indicates whether a message is signed or encrypted.
For signed messages, you will see a signed icon (checkmark) in the header. If you need to, just click the icon to view certificate details.
You should always be backing up your computer. This Seagate portable drive goes up to 5TB in space and will work flawlessly with your Mac. It's highly affordable, so there's no reason why you shouldn't be backing up regularly. Keep your certificate copies on this secure drive!
The Magic Trackpad lets you swipe and tap away with ease! This will help make managing your email easier due to easily accessible gestures.
If you're going to be dealing with email all day, then make sure you have the Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad. It comes in the awesome space gray color, and the number pad makes it easier to type in numbers when you need them.
Having digital signatures and encryption on email may seem like a lot of extra work, but if you want security and peace of mind when it comes to important email messages, then it's the best way. After all, who wants just anyone to see their top secret plans and whatnot?
Any questions, drop them in the comments and we'll do our best to help.
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