How to encrypt files over email

Sending emails containing sensitive data such as social security numbers, addresses, salary data, and so on over regular email may be unsecure, which means that hackers on the internet can view and steal your information. This holds even if you attach a document such as a PDF, or scan these documents send a jpg.

One way to make everything safe is to encrypt files before sending. Of course, the person receiving your email needs to know your password.

How to encrypt files using Winzip

Select the files you want to encrypt.
Ensure that the file names do not include personal info.
Right click all the selected files. Choose Winzip -> Add to Zip File ...
In Add to archive enter a file name.
Check the option Encrypt Added Files.
In Compression select "Maximum (enhanced portable)".
Click the Add button.
It will prompt you to enter your password twice.
Click the OK button.

How to encrypt files using WinRAR

Select the files you want to encrypt.
Ensure that the file names do not include personal info.
Right click all the selected files. Choose Add to Archive ...
In the General tab enter a file name.
In Compression select "Best".
In the Advanced tab, click Set Password ...
Enter your password. If Show Password is not checked you enter your password twice, and if it is checked you can see the password so just enter it once. Click OK.
Click OK to create the archive.

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