Encrypt Elon Emails

Any internal emails (Elon email address sending to another Elon email address) may be encrypted, but the encryption will not show to the user, as Elon's network is secure and processes the encryption automatically for view.

Sending an Encrypted Email

1.) Open an email and type "elon-encrypt" (without the quotation marks) in either the Subject line or in the body of the email

An image of the encrypt command, circled, with an arrow pointing to it, labeled "Encrypt command."

  • The above example shows the encryption command typed into the Subject line of the email.
  • The elon-encrypt command may be typed anywhere in either of these two fields to encrypt the email.

An example of the encrypt command, circled, with an arrow pointing to it, labeled encrypt command.

  • The above example shows the encryption command typed in the body of the email.

After you send the email, it will be automatically encrypted. Emails sent to @elon.edu addresses will just need to log in with their email address and password. However, outside Elon individuals will need to follow this process:

Steps for recipients of encrypted emails outside Elon University:

1.) Users will receive a message stating they have received an encrypted email, like below:

An example of the message received from an encrypted email, with the atachment circled, an arrow pointing to it, and labeled Open this attachment.

2.) Click the message.html file (circled above) to select your option for decrypting the email, shown below:

An example of the HTML file from step 1, with numbers labeled 1 and 2 corresponding to the text below the image.

  1. Users outside of Elon University who receive encrypted emails have the opportunity to create an Office 365 account to view them. This is only recommended if the user receives multiple encrypted emails on a regular basis.
  2. If a user only receives a few encrypted emails, it is recommended that you get a one-time passcode to view the message.

3.) If you select a one-time passcode, you will receive an email providing you a temporary passcode:

An image of an example passcode message.

  1. Check your email for the passcode.
  2. Enter the passcode into the field.
  3. Click continue.

Example of the passcode email you'll receive:

An example of the passcode request.

4.) After entering the passcode, you will be able to view the encrypted email:

An example of an encrypted message, which is circled and an arrow pointing to it saying note the encryption message.

Steps for recipients of encrypted emails inside Elon University:

1.) You will receive an encrypted email message. Double-click the "message.html" file (circled below):

An internal to Elon encrypted message, with the attachment circled.

2.) You will be directed to a webpage to sign in with your email credentials. Click 'SIGN IN AND VIEW YOUR ENCRYPTED MESSAGE'

An image of the sign in prompt, which is circled.

3.) Select 'Organizational Account'

An image of the login screen, with organizational account circled.

4.) If you are currently logged into the Outlook Web App (email.elon.edu), the email will automatically open. If not, you will be re-directed to the Email login page. Login, and you will be able to view the email.

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