Confidential Mode In Gmail:
Confidential mode enables Gmail users to send self-destruction emails (emails that expires after a certain period) to Gmail & also to third-party email service users. This means that if you have the confidential mode on, and you have sent an email, then the email & the attachments sent along with it will no longer be accessed by the recipient after a certain period.
Why Confidential Mode?
The confidential mode can be opted to secure confidential information. Whenever this kind of email is sent, the recipient cannot forward, download, print or delete the email. Although, they will get a notification of expiry date of that email.
Steps to Activate Confidential Mode in Gmail
Confidential Mode is a great way to send an email without worrying about leaking sensitive information. To enable the feature, you need to first enter the revamped Gmail interface.
Step 1: Sign in on Gmail and click Compose.
Step 2: Draft your email and add attachments if you want.
Step 3. Now you need to turn on Confidential mode (a padlock with timer icon)
Step 4: You need to set an expiry date, select a date from today to five years.
Step 5: You can also enable SMS passcode as well. Now click Save to save the changes.
Step 6: Once you customized the settings and click Send, Gmail will prompt you to put in the phone number of the recipient as Google will send a passcode.
As the recipient enters the passcode, he or she will be able to access the email. That’s it! Your sensitive email and attachments can be accessed for a specified time.
If the recipient is using new Gmail interface, the mail will show up in their inbox immediately. If the recipient is using an old version of Gmail, then they will get a link to confidential mail which will come in a new tab.
SMS Passcode Verification
Whenever you are sending an email with sensitive information, then you can protect the information further and ensure that the only recipient gets the email. For that, you can enable the option wherein the recipient needs to enter passcode received via SMS. If the recipient is not a Gmail user, then OTP verification is done, even if No passcode preference is selected.
Decline Permission To Access Confidential Email
If you have sent an email to a wrong recipient, then don’t worry you can deny providing access to the confidential email. All you need to do is, Navigate Sent -> Locate Desired e-mail. Select remove access option.
The Gmail with confidential mode can be forwarded to anyone but only the recipient will receive the link and access it. If anyone you weren’t supposed to see the email has received it, will be asked to enter the login credentials to go further
In this way, you can use Confidential mode on Gmail. So, send emails with confidential mode & turn on self-destruct emails to anybody. Isn’t it amazing? What do you think? Express your thoughts in the comments section below.
