A very small percentage of Internet users are using email encryption these days – people seem to email passwords and usernames to each other without even thinking about the potential consequences. Studies have shown that 73% of internet users are happy to send and receive their password via email unencrypted. This gives rise to huge security concerns, hackers can listen in on communications pick up the password and compromise the accounts in question.

SSLpost, a leading email security company, have pioneered a drive to encourage more and more companies to use secure document delivery. Their electronic document delivery system uses email encryption to ensure the highest levels of email security. Governments throughout the world are already using this form of email security and take-up has risen by over 35% year on year since 2005.

You might be wondering why you should encrypt email but when an email is sent it is passed through various computers before it is delivered to the recipient’s email account. The message in question is retained on each of the computers it has passed through. These computers can be owned by third parties who have access to each piece of communication sent through them. Unencrypted email can be compared to postcards, anyone can read them – So don’t send anything personal unless you’re going to use encrypted email.

International Law Firm, Eversheds, have dealt with a number of large email security cases. They have a team of lawyers dedicated to Internet law and dispute resolution. Email security cases tend to be very complicated, costly and best avoided – it’s best to simply employ a security firm for your emails than to have to face going to court for breach any legal issues arising from compromised data obtained from unencrypted emails.