Did you know you can send messages and attachments with Gmail’s confidential mode enabled to help protect sensitive information or communications from unauthorized access?
Following the instructions below you will enable the confidentiality mode which will disable the recipients from forwarding, copying, printing, and downloading the e-mail message or any attachments enclosed.
Examples of why you may want to use this feature would be for conversations between professors and students regarding concerns (grades, attendance, etc.) or a manager/staff expressing/reporting an issue with a staff member. (Note* this does not protect the communication from being a public record).
Send messages & attachments confidentially:
- Open your Google Chrome web browser, open Gmail
- Select the pencil icon to compose a new e-mail message
- In the bottom right of the window, select the Lock icon to turn on confidential mode.
- Set the expiration date and passcode. (Note* these settings will apply to both the text of the email and any attachments).
- If you choose no “SMS passcode”, recipients using Gmail will be able to open the message directly, anyone not using Gmail will get emailed a passcode.
- If you choose “SMS passcode” recipients will get a passcode by text message. Make sure you enter the recipient’s phone number (not your own).
- Select the SAVE button.
You can Remove access early
Microsoft Word – IT Musings 03_02_22.docx
If you wish to stop your recipient from viewing the email before the expiration date.
- Open your Google Chrome web browser. Open Gmail
- On the left, select your Sent items
- Open the confidential e-mail you sent
- Select Remove access.