Microsoft® Windows® Security: Essentials

Securing Email

One of the common uses of cryptography is to secure email. There are two primary methods of securing email: encrypting messages and digitally signing them.

Email is encrypted to prevent the loss of confidentiality. As long as the data is securely encrypted, it can’t be read. Even if an attacker uses a sniffer to capture an encrypted email sent over a network or the Internet, it’s highly unlikely that the attacker will be able to read the contents.

Encryption of email prevents loss of confidentiality.

A digital signature provides proof that an email was sent by an individual. For example, an executive of a company may want to send an email and provide assurances to others that the email wasn’t spoofed. By digitally signing the ...