Digitally sign messages

Digitally signing a message applies your certificate (with the public key) to the message. This proves to the recipient that the message is from you and not from an imposter and that the message has not been altered. Encrypting a message is a separate process.

In the message, click Options .
Click Security Settings.
Select the Add digital signature to this message check box.
If available, you can select one of the following options:
- If you want recipients who don't have S/MIME security to be able to read the message, select the Send this message as clear text signed check box. By default, the check box is selected.
- To verify that your digital signature is being validated by recipients and to request confirmation that the message was received unaltered, as well as notification telling you who opened the message and when it was opened, select the Request S/MIME receipt for all S/MIME signed messages check box. When you send a message with an S/MIME return receipt request, this verification information is returned as a message sent to your Inbox.
To change additional settings, such as choosing a specific certificate to use, click Change Settings.
Click OK three times.

Show Tip

If you use Microsoft Word as your e-mail editor, there is a quick way to digitally sign a message. With the new message open, on the E-mail toolbar, click the Button image

button.

In the main Microsoft Outlook window, on the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Security tab.
Select the Add digital signature to outgoing messages check box.
If available, you can select one of the following options:
- If you want recipients who don't have S/MIME security to be able to read the message, select the Send this message as clear text signed check box. By default, the check box is selected.
- To verify that your digital signature is being validated by recipients and to request confirmation that the message was received unaltered, as well as notification telling you who opened the message and when it was opened, select the Request S/MIME receipt for all S/MIME signed messages check box. When you send a message with an S/MIME return receipt request, this verification information is returned as a message sent to your Inbox.
To change additional settings, such as choosing a specific certificate to use, click Settings.