Help Centre › eM Client › Signing and Encrypting Messages in eM Client
¶ Signing and Encrypting Messages in eM Client
This guide is a practical walkthrough of Signing and Encrypting Messages in eM Client for UK users. Whether you are running eM Client on a Windows or Mac desktop for a UK business mailbox — Axigen via smartxhosting.uk, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or a self-hosted Plesk mailbox — the steps below apply. All eM Client Pro and Business features referenced here are available on licences purchased from smartxhosting.uk/email-client.
Signing vs Encrypting — What's the Difference? · How to Sign a Message · How to Encrypt a Message · Setting Defaults per Contact · Global Default Settings · UK GDPR and Email Encryption · FAQ
Security best practice for UK users handling business or personal data:
- Enable TLS on IMAP (993) and SMTP (587 / 465).
- Use app-specific passwords on Google, iCloud and Microsoft accounts that require them.
- For sensitive correspondence, use S/MIME or PGP encryption supported natively in eM Client.
- Rotate passwords annually and whenever a security event occurs.
- Under UK GDPR, encryption of personal data in transit is considered a baseline technical measure.
- Keep a clean backup of encryption keys (private key material) separately from the device — lost keys mean lost access to encrypted mail history.
- Open eM Client and navigate to the relevant area (Menu → Settings or the feature’s dedicated pane).
- Follow the built-in wizard or configuration dialogue for signing and encrypting messages.
- Enter the settings required (server addresses, credentials, preferences) — auto-detection handles most providers.
- Test the configuration with a simple send or sync to confirm it works end-to-end.
- Save changes. eM Client applies settings immediately; no restart is needed for most options.
- For UK business mailboxes from smartxhosting.uk, server settings auto-configure via autodiscover in most cases.
- Open eM Client and navigate to the relevant area (Menu → Settings or the feature’s dedicated pane).
- Follow the built-in wizard or configuration dialogue for signing and encrypting messages.
- Enter the settings required (server addresses, credentials, preferences) — auto-detection handles most providers.
- Test the configuration with a simple send or sync to confirm it works end-to-end.
- Save changes. eM Client applies settings immediately; no restart is needed for most options.
- For UK business mailboxes from smartxhosting.uk, server settings auto-configure via autodiscover in most cases.
Configure the default in Menu → Settings:
- Go to Accounts → pick the account you want as default.
- Use the Set as default button or equivalent.
- Save. New mail composition will use that account unless you explicitly switch.
For UK freelancers with both personal and business mailboxes, setting the business account as default prevents accidental sends from personal e-mail.
Configure the default in Menu → Settings:
- Go to Accounts → pick the account you want as default.
- Use the Set as default button or equivalent.
- Save. New mail composition will use that account unless you explicitly switch.
For UK freelancers with both personal and business mailboxes, setting the business account as default prevents accidental sends from personal e-mail.
¶ UK GDPR and Email Encryption
Security best practice for UK users handling business or personal data:
- Enable TLS on IMAP (993) and SMTP (587 / 465).
- Use app-specific passwords on Google, iCloud and Microsoft accounts that require them.
- For sensitive correspondence, use S/MIME or PGP encryption supported natively in eM Client.
- Rotate passwords annually and whenever a security event occurs.
- Under UK GDPR, encryption of personal data in transit is considered a baseline technical measure.
- Keep a clean backup of encryption keys (private key material) separately from the device — lost keys mean lost access to encrypted mail history.
eM Client licences for UK businessesBuy eM Client Pro, Business or a team licence pack from
smartxhosting.uk/email-client — UK VAT invoices, GBP billing, lifetime and subscription options, supported in UK business hours.
Q: Do I need a paid licence to use signing and encrypting messages?
A: eM Client Free allows two accounts and basic functionality. Pro and Business licences unlock unlimited accounts and advanced features. Licences from smartxhosting.uk/email-client include UK VAT invoices and UK-business-hours support.
Q: Does this work with smartxhosting.uk business mailboxes?
A: Yes. eM Client supports Axigen IMAP/SMTP used by smartxhosting.uk business e-mail. Auto-setup usually detects the correct server settings.
Q: Is this feature available on macOS as well as Windows?
A: Yes — eM Client is cross-platform. Feature parity is close; minor interface differences exist, but the steps above apply to both.
Q: Is my data processed under UK GDPR?
A: eM Client stores data locally on your device. Any mail server communication follows your mail provider’s policies. For UK SMEs using smartxhosting.uk business mailboxes, data is processed in EU-located servers consistent with UK GDPR.
Q: Can I use this on multiple devices?
A: eM Client Pro licences cover one user across multiple devices (desktop + laptop). Business licences scale by seat. Sync happens through your mail server (IMAP/Exchange), not through eM Client itself.
Q: How do I buy a licence for my UK business?
A: Order from smartxhosting.uk/email-client — Pro (per device), Business (per user, central admin), or team packs. GBP billing, UK VAT invoice, instant activation.