How to encrypt email Yahoo?

Encrypting email messages sent from Yahoo Mail typically requires the use of third-party tools, as Yahoo Mail does not offer built-in end-to-end encryption features like PGP natively within its interface. One common method involves using browser extensions like Mailvelope, which integrates with webmail services, including Yahoo Mail, to facilitate OpenPGP encryption.

Encrypting Yahoo Mail Messages with Mailvelope

Mailvelope is a browser extension that brings the power of OpenPGP encryption to webmail interfaces. By integrating with your browser, it allows you to encrypt and decrypt messages directly within your Yahoo Mail compose window and inbox, ensuring that only the intended recipient with the corresponding private key can read the message content.

Here is the process based on common usage with services like Yahoo Mail:

• Prerequisites: Before you begin, you need to have the Mailvelope browser extension installed and configured with your PGP key pair (public and private keys). You also need the recipient's public key.

• The Encryption Process:
  Based on the provided reference, the steps to encrypt a Yahoo email message using Mailvelope are straightforward:

  1. Open a new message in Yahoo Mail as usual. Navigate to your Yahoo Mail inbox and start composing a new email.
  2. Click the Mailvelope icon in the top-right corner. Once the compose window is open, locate and click the Mailvelope extension icon in your browser's toolbar (often near the address bar or in the extension area).
  3. Write your message. A secure composition area provided by Mailvelope will typically appear where you can type the sensitive content of your email.
  4. Click Encrypt. Within the Mailvelope interface, select the recipient's public key(s) and click the 'Encrypt' button. The plain text message will be converted into an encrypted block of text.
  5. Send the encrypted message. The encrypted text will be placed into the body of your Yahoo Mail message. You can then add subjects (note: subjects are not encrypted) and recipients in the standard Yahoo Mail fields and send the email.

Important Considerations:

• Recipient Requirement: For the recipient to read your encrypted message, they must also be using a compatible PGP client (like Mailvelope or other PGP software) and have your public key.
• Key Management: Securely managing your private key and exchanging public keys with your contacts are crucial steps for effective PGP encryption.
• Subject and Metadata: Standard email subjects, recipient/sender addresses, and sending times are generally not encrypted using this method and can be seen by others. Only the body of the message is encrypted.

Using a tool like Mailvelope provides an added layer of privacy for the content of your emails when communicating via webmail services that don't natively support end-to-end encryption protocols.