Importing the SMIME certificate into Outlook
In Outlook, go to the File tab, go to Options and select in the Security Centre the Settings for the Security Centre in the Security Centre:
In the Email security sub-item, you can first make the setting „Add digital signature to outgoing messages“. This setting is recommended so that e-mail messages are signed by default. Also activate „Send signed messages as plain text“.
Then click on import.
In the window that opens, enter the path to your backup copy of the certificate, the password you used to protect your backup copy and your name. Click ok.
In the following dialogue, please select the „Security level“ option
The „Medium“ option is selected by default.
We recommend the „High“ option. As a result, a protection password is requested when accessing the private key of the certificate, which is required for the signature. You must specify this in the next dialogue.
During use, the private key is stored in Outlook for a certain period of time, so you do not have to re-enter it for every e-mail. Now you need to adjust the settings in the main „Email security“ window:
Select the signature certificate. You will be offered the certificate you have just imported:
After selecting the certificate, select the hash algorithm SHA256 as the hash algorithm:
When creating a message/email, you will now find the option in the menu bar under Options Encrypt and Sign. Signing is activated by default.
You can only encrypt messages if you have previously entered the public key of the recipient beforehand. The prerequisite is that the recipient also has a valid S/MIME certificate and that you have received this as an unencrypted signed message, for example.
Deutsche Version: Zertifikatsimport in Outlook (Windows)