E-mail encryption | Under the Hood

WOU uses Barracuda to provide e-mail encryption.

Barracuda both actively and passively encrypts e-mails. Active encryption can be accomplished by entering the keyword #secure# in the subject line of your e-mail. Passive encryption occurs when Barracuda finds social security or credit card numbers in the body of the e-mail.

Encryption can only be performed on e-mail that is sent to an e-mail address other than @wou.edu E-mail sent to @wou.edu will not be encrypted.

There will be a link embedded in the e-mail that the recipient will click on. The first time a recipient receives an encrypted e-mail from WOU, they will be asked to create an account. For all future encrypted e-mails, the recipient will use the login credentials they created the first time they received an encrypted message.

After the user logs into the encrypted site, via the link that is embedded in the e-mail, they will be able to view the contents of the e-mail at the encrypted site.

Below is a sample of the recipient’s view of an encrypted e-mail.

You have a new encrypted message from <username>@wou.edu

WOU_encryptedMailService

You have received an email message from <username>l@wou.edu that has been encrypted for privacy and security by the Barracuda Email Encryption Service.

To view the email message, click here to log into the Barracuda Message Center. You’ll be prompted to either create a password or enter the one you may already have. You can also paste the following URL into your browser to access the Barracuda Message Center:

https://encrypt.barracudanetworks.com/login?nid=xxxxx

The secure message will expire in 30 days. Need Help?

Disclaimer: This email is confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender.