It is easy and simple to increase the security of your email and protect your privacy with the best secure email providers.
Major email providers (opens new tab) like Google and Microsoft are the best when it comes to popularity, ease-of-use and usability.
These services have much to learn before they can be called “secure.” Email communication is not normally encrypted at all and can easily be subpoenaed in cases of legal conflict by government agencies.
There are many other security and privacy issues that you need to be aware of. For example, Gmail allows third-party service providers to scan private emails (opens new tab) to show more personalized ads.
There are many email providers who offer greater security for a higher price.
These providers have significantly better privacy practices that their mainstream counterparts. They also have strong protocols that define user rights in the event of a subpoena, breach, which is especially important for businesses operating in the GDPR/HIPAA era.
You should consider factors such as data center location, end to end encryption (opens new tab), and zero-access guarantee when searching for an email provider.
This guide will examine some of the best email providers on the market today. It is perfect for internal business communication and receiving sensitive information from others.
We also feature the top email hosting .
1. Securemyemail
Securest overall email service
There are many reasons to buy
+Easy-to-use+High-quality security features
SecureMyEmail offers something different than the other providers. SecureMyEmail provides zero-knowledge encryption at all email addresses and encryption-at rest. You KEEP your email address. You can also encrypt your email address for free with Gmail, Yahoo! and Microsoft
Advanced security options make it appealing to more advanced users. While most email providers offer secure email services, those who are more concerned about security will be able to use zero-knowledge encryption. Each SecureMyEmail account includes eight addresses.
You will also receive a 40% discount on Witopia VPN. This is a high-quality VPN service that can be used in conjunction with Securemyemail.
Read the SecureMyEmail review .
2. ProtonMail
Most popular secure email provider
There are many reasons to buy
+Security is top-notch+Modern and streamlined UI
Avoidable reasons
-Subject lines do not have end-to-end encryption
ProtonMail, a secure email provider, was founded in 2014 by the European Organization for Nuclear Research. This service was established in response to Edward Snowden’s leaks. It has its data centers in Switzerland, in an underground bunker that is strong enough to withstand a nuclear attack.
ProtonMail’s “self-destructing emails” are a key feature of its service. These emails are automatically deleted from the recipient’s email inbox after a specified time period. You are not required to reveal any sensitive information when you sign up for a new account.
Users who need more storage or messages than the free plan offer may choose to upgrade to any of the premium tiered plans.
3. Mailbox.org
Business users can use secure email workflows
There are many reasons to buy
+Lots more tools+Friendly interface
Avoidable reasons
-No metadata encryption
Mailbox.org is a German secure email provider that’s dedicated to business users who have a high level of security requirements. It is easy to use and compatible with third-party clients and mobile devices, even though it is a secure email provider.
Mailbox.org offers secure email services, encrypted cloud storage, video conference features, functional address books, a calendar and a task schedule. This is an excellent solution for businesses who are looking for an alternative to Google and Microsoft for encrypted workflows.
The three premium-category plans, which offer email storage and cloud storage as well as video conferencing, are not free.
Read the Mailbox.org review .
4. Zoho Mail
Secure email at an affordable price
There are many reasons to buy
+User-friendly and feature-rich+End to end encryption
Avoidable reasons
-No zero-knowledge guarantee
Zoho Mail is an international secure email hosting service that focuses on user-friendliness and data encryption. It aims to balance privacy and features to provide users with a pleasant experience, which is something that it does not offer.
Zoho Mail offers more than just the standard email service, with spam filters and adequate mail filters. It also has additional features such as a calendar and task manager. Zoho provides an encrypted environment that protects data, whether it’s stationary or mobile. Although the data on its servers can still easily be accessed by the company, it cannot be subpoenaed or accessed by government agencies. However, there is a specific protocol that must be followed in each case.
Zoho Mail offers three paid plans: Mail Lite has 5GB and 10GB storage space per user. Next is Mail Premium which provides 50GB per user. An additional plan is available for users who want to access the company’s other solutions such as web-based word processing or presentation software.
5. Posteo
Anonymous email for activists
Today’s Top Deals
There are many reasons to buy
+Trusted handling of user data+DANE-based authentic system+Ad free
Avoidable reasons
No end-to-end encryption
Posteo is the preferred email provider for digital activists and crusaders, thanks to its German data centers. The email provider does not provide end-to-end encryption, as emails can still be read by third parties in the event of a leak. All data stored on the servers are protected, regardless of whether it is stationary or moving.
Posteo also uses a technology known as DNS-based Authentication for Named Entities. This protects against hackers trying to impersonate the sender and recipient in order to gain sensitive information. Posteo doesn’t keep any personal data about its users, and it fights regular legal battles for privacy.
Our Posteo HTML4_ HTML5_ HTML5_ HTML5_ HTML6_ HTML7_ HTML8_ HTML5_ HTML4_ HTML5_
6. PrivateMail
Secure email with just a few hiccups
Today’s Top Deals
visit site (opens in new tab)
There are many reasons to buy
+Feature-rich cloud storage service+Strong security practices including end-to-end encryption
Avoidable reasons
-Expensive
PrivateMail is based in the United States. It is subject to some legal restrictions. It doesn’t offer the same level of privacy as an email provider in Germany or Switzerland. It does offer secure cloud storage and encryption at all times. It boasts strong security measures.
PrivateMail offers email services in addition to cloud storage. This service is included with all paid plans. Cloud storage is very powerful and allows you to sync files between devices or with a folder on your computer. Business users will also appreciate the email calendar.
PrivateMail Standard offers 10GB email storage and cloud storage, while Pro provides 20GB email storage and cloud storage. Enterprise-level users can choose from business plans that offer 100GB storage and a customized domain.
Read our PrivateMail Review .
Also see these secure email providers
We recently tested the top secure email providers. You can read reviews to learn more about each service provider.
- Hushmail – opens in new tab
- Tutanota
- Mailfence (opens in new tab)
- Runbox
- CTemplar
What is SPF?
By: Peter Goldstein, chief technology officer and co-founder, Valimail (opens in new tab)
Email security and SPF have long gone hand in hand. That’s because Sender Policy Framework , also known as SPF, is considered the first and oldest email authentication standard.
SPF is an IP-based authentication protocol, such that messages are authenticated with SPF based on the IP address of the server that delivers the message to its final destination. To use SPF, a domain owner declares in a specially-formatted DNS TXT record the list of servers and networks authorized to send mail using that domain. Mail receivers, such as Gmail or Yahoo Mail, can then look up that record to determine if an authorized host delivered the incoming messages.
When SPF made its way onto the security scene in the early 2000s, it was a game-changer. The Internet today though is far more complex. As a result, SPF can prove challenging.
To start, SPF is a text record, which makes typos and syntax errors all too easy. And while there are nuances to SPF that can trip up even the most seasoned IT person, the biggest challenge is the fact that there are no notification mechanisms in place. If something goes wrong with your implementation, it’s up to you to figure out when, why and how it happened.
What are the limitations to SPF?
SPF has some limitations, aside from the implementation difficulties.
SPF has a limit on how many DNS lookups mail servers can perform when evaluating an SPF file. This is known as the 10-domain limit. This limit was not a problem historically, as most senders had their own mail infrastructure. In today’s cloud-first environment, ten lookups can be done very quickly.
SPF uses the domain in the Return-Path field of a message for authentication. The “From” address is open to spoofing.
SPF can fail if a message passes through intermediaries, such as a forwarding company or mailing list, before reaching its destination.
Domain owners need to look for an email authentication solution that addresses all the weaknesses of SPF, as SPF is no longer sufficient in today’s cloud environment. Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting and Conformance (DMARC), is a great place for domain owners to start.
