Gmail does not have built-in encryption for emails. However, you can use third-party tools or browser extensions to encrypt your email messages before sending them through Gmail. One popular option is using the browser extension called "FlowCrypt." Here's how you can send an encrypted email with Gmail using FlowCrypt:
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Open your web browser (preferably Google Chrome) and go to the FlowCrypt website (https://www.flowcrypt.com/).
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Click on the "Get FlowCrypt" button and follow the instructions to install the FlowCrypt extension for your browser.
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Once the extension is installed, open Gmail and compose a new email by clicking on the "Compose" button.
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In the email composition window, you will see a new lock icon next to the "Send" button. Click on the lock icon.
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FlowCrypt will prompt you to set up your encryption key. Follow the on-screen instructions to generate a key pair. This will include creating a passphrase for encryption and a public-private key pair.
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After the key setup is complete, you can write your email message as usual. To encrypt the email, click on the lock icon again. This will encrypt the content of the email.
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Add the recipient's email address, subject, and any other details as needed.
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Click on the "Send" button to send the encrypted email.
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The recipient will need to have FlowCrypt or a compatible OpenPGP encryption tool installed to decrypt and read the email.
Remember to communicate with the recipient beforehand to exchange public keys or ensure that they have the necessary tools to decrypt and read your encrypted email.
Note: Using third-party encryption tools adds an extra layer of security, but it's important to understand that the security of encrypted emails also depends on factors such as the strength of your passphrase and the security practices of the recipient.