What is Proton Mail? Guide on using Proton Mail

In the age of digital communication, securing our online conversations is paramount. Enter Proton Mail, a robust and secure email service designed to safeguard your privacy. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of Proton Mail, exploring its features, benefits, and a step-by-step walkthrough on how to use this privacy-focused email platform.

What is Proton Mail?

Proton Mail is an encrypted email service that prioritizes user privacy and security. Launched in 2014 by a group of scientists and engineers from CERN, Proton Mail is based in Switzerland, known for its strong privacy laws. The service is designed to provide end-to-end encryption, meaning that only the sender and recipient of an email can decrypt and read its contents.

Proton Mail stands out as a pioneer in the realm of secure email services. What distinguishes it from conventional email providers is its commitment to end-to-end encryption. This means that only you and the intended recipient have access to the content of your emails, providing an unparalleled level of privacy.

Proton Mail Plans and Pricing

Version	Features	Price
Free	1 GB storage, 1 address, 150 messages per day, 3 folders	Free
Mail Plus	15 GB storage, 10 addresses, unlimited folders and messages, 1 custom domain	$3.33/mo
Proton Unlimited	500 GB storage, 15 addresses, unlimited folders and messages, 3 custom domains	$8.69/mo

Outstanding Features of Proton Mail

Proton Mail boasts several key features that set it apart as a secure and privacy-focused email service. Here are some of the standout features of ProtonMail:

End-to-End Encryption

• What it is: Proton Mail employs end-to-end encryption for emails, ensuring that only the sender and the intended recipient can decrypt and read the contents.
• Why it matters: This feature provides a high level of privacy and security, as even ProtonMail itself cannot access the encrypted messages.

Swiss-Based Security

• What it is: ProtonMail is based in Switzerland, known for its strong privacy laws.
• Why it matters: Switzerland’s privacy laws add an extra layer of protection for user data, making it less susceptible to external surveillance.

Self-Destructing Emails

• What it is: Users can set expiration times on their emails, causing them to be automatically deleted after a specified period.
• Why it matters: This feature adds an extra layer of security by ensuring that sensitive information has a limited lifespan.

Custom Labels and Organization

• What it is: ProtonMail allows users to create custom labels for organizing their emails.
• Why it matters: Customizable labels enhance organization and make it easier for users to manage and find their emails.

Short Domain Addresses (pm.me)

• What it is: Users can receive emails using the pm.me domain for shorter, more user-friendly addresses.
• Why it matters: Short domain addresses provide convenience and a professional appearance, and they do not count towards the total limit of addresses a user can create.

Multiple Layouts and Themes

• What it is: ProtonMail offers various layout options and themes for customizing the email interface.

• Why it matters: Users can personalize their email experience, choosing a layout and theme that suits their preferences.

Quick Filters and Keyboard Shortcuts

• What it is: ProtonMail includes quick search filters and keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation and management of emails.

• Why it matters: These features enhance user experience by making it easier to find and manage emails quickly.

Migration Tools

• What it is: ProtonMail provides tools for importing and exporting data, facilitating the migration of users from other email services.
• Why it matters: Users can seamlessly transition to ProtonMail without losing their existing data.

Free Proton VPN

• What it is: Users who register for a ProtonMail account receive a free ProtonVPN account.
• Why it matters: ProtonVPN adds an extra layer of privacy by offering secure and private internet access.

Two-Factor Authentication

• What it is: ProtonMail enhances account security with two-factor authentication, requiring an additional verification step beyond the password.
• Why it matters: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection, especially against unauthorized access.

PGP Support

• What it is: ProtonMail supports Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption for secure communication.
• Why it matters: PGP support allows users to communicate securely, even with non-ProtonMail users.

Anonymity and Minimal Data Requirement

• What it is: Users can create ProtonMail accounts without providing extensive personal information.
• Why it matters: ProtonMail prioritizes user anonymity and minimizes the collection of personal data.

Guide on download and install Proton Mail easily

Step 1

Locate Proton Mail: Encrypted Email on Getnada.cc.

Step 2

Initiate the download process by selecting the Download APK button to save it to your mobile device.

Step 3

After the download is complete, access the APK file and initiate the installation.

Step 4

Upon the completion of the installation, open Proton Mail: Encrypted Email and commence using the application!

How to use Proton Mail effectively?

Below are 3 ways to use Proton Mail effectively

Option 1: Email Another ProtonMail User

When sending messages to fellow ProtonMail users, your emails are automatically encrypted. Recipients don’t need to take any additional steps to decrypt the message; they can simply click or tap on the email to access its contents.

Every aspect of the process undergoes encryption, from the connection between your device and the server to the contents of the email stored on the server. The recipient holds the unique key required for decryption. 

This high-level encryption applies to domains such as @protonmail.com, @protonmail.ch, and @pm.me. Additionally, ProtonMail allows users to use a private domain name, extending internal encryption to non-ProtonMail domains.

You can easily identify emails from ProtonMail accounts, denoting internal encryption, by the presence of a purple padlock icon in the “From” field next to the contact’s email address. To communicate securely, encourage the recipient to set up a ProtonMail account and configure notifications for new secure messages.

Option 2: Set up PGP with Non-ProtonMail Users

PGP, or “Pretty Good Privacy,” facilitates end-to-end encryption using both public and private keys, making it suitable for secure communication with non-ProtonMail users who have PGP set up.

To send an encrypted email using PGP, you’ll need the recipient’s public key, and vice versa. You can attach your public key to outgoing emails through the “More” drop-down button in the compose email interface. ProtonMail’s settings also allow you to automatically attach your public key.

Exchanging keys is crucial. You can add a recipient’s public key through the “Trust Key” button in an email containing a PGP public key or by adding a contact under the Contacts tab and uploading the key.\

When an email is encrypted with PGP, a green padlock near the “From” field signifies encryption. For digitally signed messages, the green padlock will include a tick. While PGP is powerful, ProtonMail’s seamless key exchange feature might be a more user-friendly alternative.

Option 3: Send Password-Protected Self-Destructing Emails to Anyone

For secure communication with users on different email platforms, ProtonMail offers a unique method involving password-protected self-destructing emails.

Here’s how it works:

• Compose your email as usual.
• Encrypt the message with a password of your choice.
• Send the recipient a link to access the encrypted email.
• The recipient clicks the link, enters the password on the ProtonMail webpage, and decrypts the message in their browser.
• The message expires after 28 days, ensuring it remains confidential.

It’s important to be aware that sharing the link and password of an encrypted message, even on platforms like ProtonMail, poses a risk to confidentiality, as the recipient can forward them to others. Trust in the privacy of your communication also relies on the discretion of the person you are corresponding with.

For encrypting messages to recipients who don’t use ProtonMail, follow these steps: compose your email in ProtonMail, then locate the “Encryption” padlock icon in the bottom-left corner. Enter and confirm your password, optionally providing a password hint. Click “Set” to encrypt the message, and use the “Expiration Time” hourglass icon if you want the message to expire sooner than 28 days.

Once encrypted, send the email as usual. In the recipient’s inbox, they will only see the password hint, and the message will appear to originate directly from your ProtonMail account.

While this method offers security, it has its limitations. Some recipients may be hesitant to trust messages with clickable links, and the messages themselves expire after 28 days. Additionally, they are challenging to search for unless you know the subject line, unlike regular emails that can persist indefinitely.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Proton Mail stands out as a secure and user-friendly email service, prioritizing privacy and offering a range of features to meet diverse user needs. Whether opting for the free plan or a premium subscription, Proton Mail provides a reliable and private communication platform.