The process of downloading an encrypted email is different from saving a standard message. Because these emails are locked with cryptographic keys, you cannot simply click a download button and expect a readable file.
If the download requires a unique password provided by the sender, store it securely rather than writing it down. Summary Table: Common File Formats File Extension Encryption Type Requirement to View .eml Standard Export Any email client (Outlook, Thunderbird) .p7m Digital Certificate / Private Key .asc PGP Software and Private Key .html Secure Portal Web browser and One-Time Passcode download encrypted email
To successfully download and view an encrypted email, you must navigate specific security protocols based on the platform and encryption method used. Understanding the Two Types of Downloads The process of downloading an encrypted email is
The sender uses PGP or S/MIME. The encrypted file is already in your inbox, but it looks like a garbled attachment (often named smime.p7m or message.asc ). How to Download from Major Providers Microsoft Outlook and Office 365 Summary Table: Common File Formats File Extension Encryption
These are S/MIME signatures or encrypted envelopes. You must import your digital certificate into an email client (like Apple Mail or Outlook) to decrypt them.