Secure email and files
Send one protected message and share one file with limited access.
Do this first
Check whether your recipient can use the same encrypted mail service or a password-protected message.
Best fit
Recommended tools
Choose the option matching the conditions below.
Proton Mail
For mail; use protected delivery when the recipient is outside the service.
Official documentationProton Drive
For files; review sharing permissions and test revocation separately from email.
Official documentationStep by step
Set it up safely
- 1
Check whether your recipient can use the same encrypted mail service or a password-protected message.
Step 1 · Not started
- Verify step 1: The recipient confirmed a supported encrypted delivery method.
- 2
For Proton Mail, use a password-protected message for an external recipient and send the password over a separate trusted channel. Ordinary external email is not automatically end-to-end encrypted.
Step 2 · Not started
- Verify step 2: The external test message requires the separately shared password.
- 3
For files, use an encrypted file service such as Proton Drive; share a test file with a named recipient or a password-protected link.
Step 3 · Not started
- Verify step 3: The intended recipient can open the test file.
- 4
Ask the recipient to open the test message and file. Revoke the file link and check that it stops granting access.
Step 4 · Not started
- Verify step 4: The revoked link no longer opens the file for a new unauthenticated session.
How you know it works
- The revoked link no longer opens the file for a new unauthenticated session.
Watch out
- Email addresses, subjects and timing can remain visible.
- Revocation cannot erase copies already downloaded.
- Keep account recovery codes separate from the account.
Selected reading & media
Learn more
Sources and review
Reviewed 2026-09-05 · Content revision 2
Steps were revised. Previously saved plans remain on this device; check the current instructions before marking a new step complete.