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In February 2021, Google announced it would be phasing out the unlimited and free storage allocation previously available to schools and universities that use Google Drive. Instead, it will offer a base amount of storage for a fixed fee and a charge for additional storage. An initiative is underway to support the university’s transformation to a new Google service.
When someone sends you an encrypted email using O365 Message Encryption (OME) for Gmail, how you open it depends on whether you also have a Microsoft account or not. Here’s a breakdown for both scenarios:
If you have a Microsoft account (Outlook.com, Hotmail, Office 365 subscription):
- The encrypted email will arrive in your Gmail inbox like any other email.
- You won’t need to take any special steps to open it. The message content will be automatically decrypted for you since you have a Microsoft account.
- You can read the email and any attachments as usual.
If you don’t have a Microsoft account:
You’ll receive an email notification with a link to access the encrypted message.
Clicking the link will redirect you to a Microsoft webpage for viewing the message.
There are two ways to access the content:
- Sign in with Google: You can choose to sign in with your Google account credentials. This allows Microsoft to verify your identity and grant access to the message content. Once signed in, you can view the email and attachments.
- Use a single-use code: Alternatively, you can opt for a single-use code. Microsoft will send a temporary code to your email address (the one where you received the notification). Enter this code on the webpage to access the encrypted message.
Important Notes:
- Regardless of the method (Google sign-in or code), you won’t be able to forward the encrypted message or download attachments directly from the Microsoft viewing webpage.
- The sender might have set additional restrictions on the message, such as disabling printing or copying the content.
- It’s always recommended to follow best practices for handling sensitive information, even with encrypted emails.
Here are some additional points to remember:
- O365 Message Encryption is a Microsoft service, so some functionalities might be optimized for users within the Microsoft ecosystem (Outlook, Office 365).
- If you frequently receive encrypted emails via O365, consider creating a Microsoft account for a potentially smoother experience.
By understanding these steps, you’ll be able to access and view encrypted emails sent through O365 Message Encryption, even if you don’t have a Microsoft account. Remember to exercise caution when dealing with sensitive information in encrypted emails.
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