What are the Secure Exchanges configuration settings in Outlook?

How do I configure Secure Exchanges in Outlook?

Secure Exchanges offers several configurable settings directly within Outlook to tailor the security level, sending behaviour and signature management to your needs. This article explains each settings tab, its purpose and how to use it.

Accessing Secure Exchanges settings

In Outlook, click Secure Exchanges, then click Settings.



A window opens with several tabs, which we detail below.

"Message settings" tab

This tab lets you define the default behaviour of secure emails, both for sending and receiving.

Message sending options

  • Send using my own email server: this option is enabled by default. Emails are sent via your mail server. If you uncheck this option, secure messages are sent via Secure Exchanges servers.
  • Acknowledgments of receipt: lets you receive a notification when the recipient opens a secure message. Active by default.
  • Make the use of a password mandatory: requires the addition of a password to all secure messages sent.
  • Make the use of an SMS code mandatory: requires SMS code verification for each message sent.
  • Always use Secure Exchanges: prevents sending insecure emails. The "send without securing" option is no longer available.
  • Do not encrypt my sent items: keeps an unencrypted copy of messages in your sent items.
Warning: the "Do not encrypt my sent items" option is not recommended for safety reasons.

Options for incoming emails

  • Automatically decrypt incoming email: automatically decrypts received messages.
  • Encrypt email upon closing (beta): encrypts the message after reading and closing.
  • Automatically download attachments: automatically downloads attachments from incoming messages.
  • If possible, attach the files to the email (beta): adds attachments directly to the email if their size allows, in plain text.
  • Attachment download directory: defines the location where files are automatically downloaded.
Warning: the first four options above are not recommended.

Secure by default

Lets you define what will be automatically secured during transmission:

  • the message
  • or the attachments

Language

  • Interface language: the Secure Exchanges display language.
  • Communication language: the language used for messages sent to recipients.

Message opening options

  • Default number of opens when you protect the email with an SMS code or password: defines how many times a message can be opened with additional protection.
  • Default number of openings: number of openings allowed without additional protection.

"Envelope options" tab

This tab lets you configure the default behaviour of secure envelopes.

  • Number of openings allowed when returning an envelope: defines how many times a returned envelope can be opened.
  • Expiration date of an envelope: defines the lifespan of an envelope, in hours. Maximum: 720 hours (30 days).
  • Notify my contact when I open their return envelope: informs the recipient when you open their envelope.

"Signature" tab

This tab lets you manage the behaviour of electronic signatures.

  • Individuals in CC and CCI are signatories: if enabled, everyone in the CC and BCC fields needs to sign the document. If disabled, only the recipients in the "To" field are asked to sign.

"Login information" tab

This tab groups together the technical settings related to the connection and the licence.

  • Valid license: indicates whether your licence is active.
  • Secure Exchanges root directory: local location of Secure Exchanges temporary files.
  • Reset license: helps resolve certain licence issues.

Proxy

  • Automatically detect proxy settings
  • Use the system proxy
Note: use these options if your network goes through a proxy.

File transfer options

  • Number of simultaneous downloads: sets the number of simultaneous transfers (default: 6).
  • Profile ID: advanced setting. Can be left blank.
  • Enable tracking: used for troubleshooting on demand from Secure Exchanges support.
  • Web service address: communication URL with Secure Exchanges.
Warning: do not modify the web service address without instructions from support.

"Sensitive terms and patterns" tab

This tab enables sensitive content detection.

  • Enable sensitive content detection: analyzes the content of messages to detect sensitive terms. Keywords can be configured via the Secure Exchanges portal.
  • Refresh: updates the list of configured terms.

"License" tab

This tab displays:

  • the features included in your licence
  • your licence type
  • the logs, often requested by support in case of a problem

"SEWD" tab (Secure Exchanges Watch Dog)

  • Enable Secure Exchanges Watch Dog: ensures the proper functioning of Secure Exchanges. This box must be checked.
  • Launch at startup: launches Watch Dog at computer startup to prevent Outlook from disabling Secure Exchanges.

Need help?

Our team is available to assist you. Write to us at support@secure-exchanges.com