Encrypting and Certificates with MS Outlook 2003

[Sibyl]

Hello,
I have recently changed from Outlook Express to Outlook 2003. In the past I
have been able to send encrypted messages to someone even though I don't have
my own certificate. I don't want to be able to receive messages or read the
ones I have sent, just send them.
I have followed the steps to add her certificate to her profile, but I just
can't get the messages to encrypt.
Do I really need to have my own certificate to send encrypted messages in
Outlook 2003?
Sibyl

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I have recently changed from Outlook Express to Outlook 2003. In the past I
have been able to send encrypted messages to someone even though I don't
have
my own certificate. I don't want to be able to receive messages or read the
ones I have sent, just send them.
I have followed the steps to add her certificate to her profile, but I just
can't get the messages to encrypt.
Do I really need to have my own certificate to send encrypted messages in
Outlook 2003?

The theory is that you need HER public key is you wish to send her an
encrupted message. That means that SHE must send a signed message to you and
you must then add her to your Contacts folder in order to install her public
key in your crypto store. After that you'll be able to send her encrypted
messages. Adding HER cetrtificate to HER Outlook doesn't get YOU anything.

That said, however Outlook Express behaves, Outlook appears unable to send an
encrypted message unless you have a certificate yourself. Outlook doesn't use
that certificate when sending (unless you wish to sign the message), but
apparently it can't access the crypto store correctly or the store doesn't get
initialized correctly without it. You can get a free digital certificate from
several Certification Authorities, including this one:
http://www.thawte.com/secure-email/personal-email-certificates/index.html