How to send encrypted and confidential emails on Gmail

Sending encrypted and confidential emails on Gmail can help protect sensitive information. Here's how to do it:

1.Enable Confidential Mode:

   • Open Gmail in your web browser.

   • Compose a new email.

   • In the lower-right corner of the email composition window, you'll find the "Turn on confidential mode" button. Click it.

2.Set Expiration and Passcode:

In the confidential mode window that appears, you can set an expiration date for the email. After the date passes, the recipient won't be able to access the email. You can also add a passcode for an extra layer of security, which the recipient will need to enter to open the email.

3.Compose the Email:

Write your email as usual. You can also attach files if needed.

4.Recipient Authentication:

Gmail will send an SMS message to the recipient's phone with a passcode if you've enabled the passcode option. The recipient will need this passcode to access the email.

5.Send the Email:

Click the "Save" or "Send" button to send the email. The recipient will receive an email notification with a link to access the confidential email.

6.Revoking Access:

If you need to revoke access to the email before the expiration date, go back to the email in your Sent folder and click "Remove access."

It's important to note that even though Gmail's confidential mode can help protect your emails, it's not an end-to-end encryption solution. The email is still stored on Google's servers, and it doesn't prevent the recipient from taking screenshots or photos of the email content.

For higher levels of encryption and security, you may want to use third-party email encryption services or tools, especially for extremely sensitive information. These services often offer end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the intended recipient can decrypt and read the email.