Easy Email Encryption Lite Specifying the Encryption Key

Easy Email Encryption Lite uses a symmetric key encryption method, meaning that when a message is encrypted, the key required for decryption is the same as the key that was used for encyption (so "key" on this page may mean either "encryption key" or "decryption key", since they are the same).

To specify a key click on the 'Key' button and a window will appear which allows you to enter the key:

No distinction is made between upper case letters and lower case, and spaces are ignored, so "Pass Word" is equivalent to "password"

Keys may include non-English characters, e.g., "je rêve des chèvres françaises".

As you type the key a checksum is calculated and is displayed. It is advisable to remember the final checksum. After entering a key an unusual checksum will show that a typing error was made. Failing to notice a typo when decrypting has no fatal consequences (you simply get an error message), but if you mistype the key prior to encrypting then the encrypted message cannot be decrypted using the intended key.

If 'Conceal characters typed' is checked then characters typed appear as asterisks. After the key has been specified it can be made invisible by clicking on the 'Hide' button.

For the recipient of an encrypted message to be able to decrypt it, they must know the key, which must be communicated somehow. The way this is done depends on the level of security needed. You can simply phone the recipient and tell them the key. Sending the key by post is slower but perhaps more secure. Best is to meet the intended recipient in person and pass a note. If a meeting is not possible then a key can sometimes be agreed upon by referring to some item of information from your common past (e.g., the name of the restaurant where you used to have lunch together years ago). If you have never met, but have exchanged email then you can identify a line from some email message (the older the better) which you have both kept.

Easy Email Encryption Lite — Introductory Page

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