How many times have you needed to send some sensitive info to a contact, but either had to send in several messages, fax it – or worse, just take your chances with sending it via email? With all the security compromises in the news, there is new interest in how individuals can secure their online messages and have more control over who can read it. Many still don’t realize that email messages pass through many points on the Internet while on its way, and if the contents are not encrypted, they can be read by someone else.
Many email providers have been making their own internal security improvements, especially Gmail and Google Apps, but this does not replace individual message encryption, where only the intended recipient has the key to open and read the message. That’s where Virtru saves the day!
Virtru uses a simple browser extension (Chrome & Firefox for now – Safari & Internet Explorer coming soon) to encrypt content plus attachments. There are also apps for iPhone and Android, plus plugins for Outlook and a planned plugin for MacMail. If you’re a Gmail or Google Apps user, Virtru integrates seamlessly.
On test messages I sent, I found that it couldn’t be easier to use. Activate the Virtu option panel on a specific message – you can opt to expire the message after a specific period of time, prevent the recipient from forwarding the message, or log in later and revoke a message that you sent (Business product). The first time you use Virtru with a contact, it will send the initial introductory message (which you can edit) – then ask the recipient to verify their address (in a similar way to email marketing double-opt-in). Once verified, the recipient views the encrypted part within a secured browser window. There’s no software, no passwords, just a secure browser and recipient verification. That’s it!
Also check out the Virtru Blog for the latest email security news.
Here’s a video that explains the Virtru Business product that’s in beta (very similar to the individual one, focused on Google Apps):
Have you tried other email encryption tools, such as PGP or Hushmail? Share in the comments…