Send encrypted e-mails with Guard

Note: To use the functions described in this article, you must have the mailbox.org Guard activated.

To send a PGP-encrypted mail in the mailbox web client, select E-Mail | Compose. Then click the lock icon in the middle of the sender line:

Figure 1: An encrypted mail can be sent without any issues.

If a matching PGP key for the recipient is available, you will see the PGP symbol with a golden key next to the recipient address. The mailbox.org Guard will automatically encrypt your mail:

Figure 2: PGP symbol with a golden key next to the recipient address – the mail is automatically encrypted by the mailbox.org Guard.

The Guard searches for PGP keys in the following sources:

1. in the internal key directory of all mailbox users who have activated the Guard
2. in your own keyring with public keys of your communication partners.
   You manage the keyring yourself (via All settings | Your recipient keys). There you can also import keys of your communication partners.
3. in family or business accounts: in the keys provided by other Guard users of your context

What happens if the recipient does not use PGP?

If no matching PGP key for a recipient was found, the Guard will display this with a green person symbol next to the mail address:

Figure 3: Green person symbol next to the mail address – the recipient does not use PGP, the mailbox.org Guard indicates this accordingly.

Here: Between the mail address of the recipient and the result of the transport encryption check

To still enable you to communicate securely and in encrypted form with this recipient, a temporary mailbox will be created for them on our server – it is recommended to read the FAQ article on this topic!