In Outlook, go to the File tab Options and, in the Security Centre select the Security Centre settings :

Under the ‘Email Security’ sub-section, you can first set the option ‘Add digital signature to outgoing messages’. This setting is recommended, as it ensures that email messages are signed by default. You should also enable ‘Send signed messages in plain text’.

Then click the button Import/Export….

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 box, please select the ‘Security level’ option

By default, the ‘Medium’ option is selected.

We recommend the ‘High’ option. This means that a security password will be requested when accessing the certificate’s private key, which is required for signing. You must set this in the next dialogue box.

When using the application, the private key is stored in Outlook until the next time you start the programme; you do not need to re-enter it for every email.

Click on Select…, and a list of imported certificates will appear. Click on More options.

Select the certificate with the xyz@haw-landshut.de group mailbox and click OK to close the window.

In the Change Security Settings , under ‘Hash algorithm’, select .

You can now sign and encrypt messages. When composing a new message, you’ll find the options for encryption and signing under ‘Options’. Signing should be set as the default, so you don’t need to do anything else.

You can only encrypt messages if you have previously set up the public key from the recipient. This works, for example, if the recipient has previously sent you a message signed by them. This message usually contains their public key and you can reply to them in encrypted form.

English Version: SMIME with Outlook