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What
is it?
Email
encryption works hand-in-hand with the digital
signature.
In effect it can work as a certificate of identity similar
to a digital signature. The
holder of the encryption certificate owns what is known as a
private key. Messages
composed encrypted with the private key can only be unlocked and read
with a secondarily "public" key. The public key can be given out publicly to recipients whom
you felt would require privacy when cross mailing.
Your email can then be uuencoded and read when both keys
are united.
Your
private key would sit on your computer the same as the digital
signature and can be activated by clicking on an
"encrypt" button or similar facility.
Most modern email software packages will have this
facility. Again the
reading and sending of encrypted messages will vary depending on
the software you are using and where you obtained your certificate
from.
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Promoting
the availability of high-quality cryptography services is likely
to help small businesses as users by making it cheaper, easier and
- most importantly - safer for them to enter the growing
e-commerce market
Source -
Electronic communications Bill 1999
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Why
would my business want to use it?
Encrypting
email messages will allow you to send confidential or sensitive
information (including attachments) across the Internet without it
being intercepted and tampered with for whatever reason.
This will allow you to discuss business more privately and
as a consequence will ensure confidentiality for any third party.
How
do I obtain an email encryption certificate?
Again
the process is similar to obtaining your digital signature; in fact most
companies who offer the digital signature will also automatically offer
email encryption as part of their services.
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