How secure is my email?
The standards that allow us to share e-mail messages were not designed for security. In fact, the typical e-mail message is sent as plain text. That doesn't mean that your communications are easily intercepted, but it's possible. The best way to avoid e-mail eavesdropping is through total computer security. That includes a firewall, an antivirus program, and a few anti- spyware tools.
Unfortunately, you can't account for security at the other end of your e-mail conversations. If you want to be sure that messages are protected from end to end, use e-mail encryption. The easy way to get e-mail encryption is through secure Webmail services such as Hushmail, MailVault and S-Mail. Encryption is built-in and seamless if both sides use the same service. Each offers free accounts.
If you or your contacts prefer e-mail programs like Outlook or Thunderbird, try add-ons such as Enigmail (free) or PGP Desktop Home ($99). Enigmail works with Thunderbird or Mozilla Firefox. PGP Desktop Home works with Outlook, Thunderbird, Eudora or Apple Mail. The big catch with Hushmail or add-ons is that both ends must use it. Both sides must be equipped to encrypt and decrypt messages. In most cases, encryption-equipped e-mail programs can communicate with their Webmail counterparts.
No doubt, people such as mortgage companies consider encryption. But they would have to teach their recipients to use it, too. The public is far, far behind the curve on encryption. As a practical matter, it probably isn't possible. It is theoretically possible for e-mail to be intercepted in transit. But I have never heard of such a thing. And I could find no instances of it in my research.
As long as your computer is clean, you're probably OK. If you have a wireless network, be sure it is secured. Postal mail has been used for these documents for centuries. I think e-mail is safer.
Reprinted with permission Copyright WestStar TalkRadio Network. Subscribe to Kim Komando's free e-mail newsletter