How To Encrypt Your Email Using Thunderbird and Enigmail – Guide
Protecting your emails is easy with email encryption. This post outlines the steps to encrypt your emails when using a shared hosting account and cPanel. With encryption, only the intended recipient can view your communications, ensuring that no one else with access to cPanel can see them. Learn how to use Thunderbird’s email encryption today.
Encrypting emails is a great way to keep conversations private, whether it’s for business plans, surprise parties or any other confidential communication. Even if you don’t have anything to hide, cryptography can be an enjoyable and free way to learn about the technology and build a network of trust with your peers.
Adding an email account and installing Enigmail Addon
GnuPG can be a tricky tool to master, but for those looking to encrypt their emails, Enigmail is an easy-to-use plugin that simplifies the process and allows users to set up secure key pairs without leaving Thunderbird.
Users with an existing Thunderbird email account can bypass the first two steps of the process as they will not need to create a new one.
Discover how to access your email account settings with this guide.
Thunderbird now allows users to add their email accounts, making it easier than ever to stay connected.
Users of the software can access additional features by selecting “Addons” from the “Tools” menu.
Users of the email client Thunderbird can enhance their security by downloading and installing the Enigmail addon.
To get started with encrypted emails, simply install Enigmail and follow the steps to generate a public and private key.
Using Enigmail in Thunderbird
To get started with Enigmail, click the toolbar icon and select Setup Wizard. If you’re not prompted to do so, the wizard will guide you through the installation process.
Creating a secure password is essential when configuring a key pair. Take the time now to come up with an exclusive, strong passphrase. If you’re having difficulty creating one that you can remember, consider using a long Diceware password for added security.
If you’re just starting out, select the appropriate options; otherwise, if you’re an expert, click ‘Next’.
Users can create a new key by selecting the option on the key selection screen and clicking “Next”.
Choose an account and create a strong, lengthy password to protect it.
Generating a secure key pair can take some time, so be prepared to wait.
Save your “Certificate of Revocation” in a secure location once you’ve generated the necessary keys. You’ll be asked to provide this document, so make sure it’s kept safe.
Users can complete their task by clicking ‘Next’ and ‘Finish’.
Using Enigmail’s Key Management, you can send your public key to a key server.
To securely store your key, users can upload their public keys to a key server by right-clicking on the key.
Enigmail makes it easy to share your public key with others, automatically sending it to a list of available keyservers. This allows people to easily find and use your key for encrypted communication.
Registering a public key with a keyserver does not guarantee its legitimacy; users should only sign and trust keys of people they know.
Testing your encryption
Encrypting messages is now possible, but you need a recipient who also uses encryption. To send an encrypted message, you must have the recipient’s public key to ensure they can decrypt it with their private key.
The Free Software Foundation’s Edward bot can test your keys by responding with an encrypted message when you compose an email with your public key included using Enigmail.
Enigmail users can access Key Management by selecting the option from the program’s menu.
You can email your public key by right-clicking it and selecting “Email Public Keys.”
To get in touch with Edward Enniful, email edward-en@fsf.org.
Edward will soon provide an encrypted response.
You may need to provide your password to unlock the message.
Final note
Encrypt your emails with Thunderbird and Enigmail for added security. If you have any questions, reach out to us. Spread the word by sharing this guide with your friends.
