Encryption is used to protect confidential email. Some encryption methods, secure email for only part of the transmission path. Some have problems working with other email systems.
An email message can be divided into three parts:
- The text inside the email (the "body").
- File attachments.
- Email headers (From, To, Subject, CC etc). Not everyone is worried about protecting this.
Encryption solutions can protect some or all of the above.
Links in the Email Transmission Path
Email is sent from one PC to another, using servers and networks in between. The main links are:
