Windows 2000 Quick Fixes

Encrypt email so only the recipient can read it

Although adding a digital signature to an email message helps validate the message, it doesn’t prevent someone else from potentially viewing the message. You can encrypt messages for further protection, preventing unauthorized recipients from viewing them.

In order to view an encrypted message that you send, the recipient must have a copy of your digital ID with your public key. Similarly, for you to read an encrypted message from someone else, you need his digital ID. There are a couple of ways to obtain it.

Adding IDs of senders to your address book for signed messages

The easiest way to obtain a required digital ID is to exchange digitally signed messages. If someone else will be sending you encrypted messages, have him send you a digitally signed message, which will include his digital ID. If you’ll be the one sending encrypted messages, first send the recipient a digitally signed message so he’ll have your digital ID.

In either Outlook or Outlook Express, when you receive a digitally signed message, the digital signature of the sender is automatically added to your address book unless you’ve turned off that feature. Here’s how to re-enable it in Outlook Express:

1. In Outlook Express, choose Tools → Options.

2. Click the Security tab, then click Advanced.

3. Select “Add sender’s certificates to my address book,” then click OK. Click OK again to close the property sheet.

You can configure the same behavior in Outlook if you’re using Outlook ...