Encrypted Communication: Setup

Set up encrypted communication to send and receive emails with maximum security.

Info:

Encrypted communication can only be set up to be used with your default GMX address.

In order to use encrypted communication, a setup is required. During setup, a set of keys is generated, which can be stored if desired.

Setting up encrypted communication for the first time
Requirements:

Make sure you are using Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome.

  1. Log in to your GMX Account. In your inbox, click the lock icon next to the compose button.
  2. Click Set up Encrypted Communication.

    How to get to the encryption settings page

  3. Follow the instructions on the screen.
  4. During setup, you will be asked to download and install the Mailvelope extension.
    Visit Mailvelope for further information.
  5. Next, you will be asked to set a passphrase. This passphrase is needed to encrypt your private key in order to prevent its abuse in case it gets stolen. You will need this passphrase each time you wish to encrypt or decrypt an email.

    passhprase wizard

  6. At the end of the setup process, you can create a backup of your set of keys. This will not only allow you to recover it if you forget your passphrase or lose your key files. It futher allows you to use it with other devices such as smartphones, tablets or other computers.
    Visit Encryption data for further information.
  7. Print out your recovery document and store it in a safe place for future reference.
Setting up Encrypted Communication on another Computer

If you have set up a recovery document for your key pair, you can use it to set up Encrypted Communication on other computers.

  1. Use your "other" computer to to log into your GMX Account. In your inbox, click the lock icon next to the "compose" button.
  2. Click Download Browser Extension and install Mailvelope.
  3. Enter the recovery code on your recovery document.
Setting up Encrypted Communication on an Android Device

As soon as you have set up Encrypted Communication on one of your computers, you can also use it with your GMX Mail App for Android.

  1. Start your GMX Mail App for Android and log in.
  2. Tap your device's menu button and tap activate PGP.
  3. Tap Scan QR code and point your device camera on the recovery document's QR code at the bottom right of your recovery document.
  4. If your device doesn't have a camera, you can enter your recovery code by hand. To do so, tap Recovery Code.
  5. Click Done to confirm.
Setting up Encrypted Communication on your iPhone or iPad

If you have already set up Encrypted Communication on your computer, you can also use it with your GMX Mail App.

  1. Start the GMX Mail App and log in.
  2. Tap the menu icon at the upper right.
  3. Tap SettingsEncryptionActivate mobile encryption.
  4. Tap Scan QR code and point your device camera on the recovery document's QR code at the bottom right of your recovery document.
  5. If your device doesn't have a camera, you can enter your recovery code by hand. To do so, tap Recovery Code.
  6. Click Done to confirm.
Setting up PGP if you have been a Mailvelope user before

  1. Start by exporting your key from your current mailvelope installation. See Managing Keys with Mailvelope.
  2. Install the latest version of mailvelope.
  3. Click the mailvelope icon and then Settings.
  4. In the options tab, click list of email providers
  5. Click Add new Site.
  6. In the site field, enter GMX, use GMX as domain template, and activate the API checkbox.

    email provider

  7. Click OK to confirm.
  8. Log out of GMX an in again
  9. Set up encrypted communication as described in this documentation.
  10. Import your old key pair, see Managing Keys with Mailvelope.

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