To send a secure email in Gmail, you have several options depending on your needs and account type:

Using Gmail Confidential Mode (Free Gmail Accounts)

Gmail's Confidential Mode lets you send emails with added protections:

• Prevents recipients from forwarding, copying, downloading, or printing the email and attachments.
• Allows you to set an expiration date for the email after which it becomes inaccessible.
• Optionally requires an SMS passcode for the recipient to open the email.

Steps to send a confidential email:

1. Open Gmail and click Compose.
2. Click the Toggle confidential mode icon at the bottom right of the compose window.
3. Set the expiration date and choose whether to require an SMS passcode.
4. Click Save , then send your email.

Note: Confidential Mode does not encrypt the email content end-to-end. Google can still access the message, and recipients can potentially capture the content via screenshots

Using S/MIME Encryption (Google Workspace Paid Accounts)

For stronger security, Google Workspace Enterprise or Education users can enable S/MIME encryption:

• Encrypts emails with user-specific keys so only the intended recipient can decrypt the content.
• Requires both sender and recipient to have S/MIME enabled.
• Not available for free Gmail accounts.

How to enable S/MIME:

1. In Google Admin console, go to Apps > Google Workspace > Gmail > User settings.
2. Select the domain or organization.
3. Enable S/MIME encryption for sending and receiving emails.
4. Save changes.

Then, when composing an email, you can choose to encrypt the message using S/MIME

Using Third-Party Encryption Tools

If you want end-to-end encryption without Google Workspace, third-party tools like Virtru or Nightfall can be used:

• Install their browser extensions or plugins.
• Compose your email in Gmail as usual.
• Toggle encryption on before sending.
• These tools encrypt the message and attachments, and recipients can decrypt via compatible apps or secure readers.

Virtru, for example, integrates seamlessly with Gmail and offers features like disabling forwarding, setting expiration dates, and watermarking

Summary Table

Method| Availability| Security Level| Features
---|---|---|---
Gmail Confidential Mode| Free Gmail accounts| Moderate (no E2E encryption)| Prevent forwarding, set expiration, SMS passcode option
S/MIME Encryption| Google Workspace paid| High (user-specific keys)| End-to- end encryption, requires recipient support
Third-party Tools (Virtru, Nightfall)| Any Gmail account| High (end-to-end encryption)| Encrypt emails & attachments, access control options

For most users, Confidential Mode offers easy protection for sensitive emails, but for truly secure communication, consider S/MIME or third-party encryption tools like Virtru