Essential Security Software, Inc. (ESS) today announced the availability of eCipher™ version 1.54, email security software that prevents unintended access and misuse. eCipher is the easiest way to protect email communications. The new version of eCipher includes updates to the Outlook Toolbar integration and a new feature, Delivery Receipts. eCipher’s strong encryption and digital signatures ensure safe transit, integrity, and authenticity of email communications and attachments so users can securely exchange confidential email with attorneys, doctors, accountants, business partners, employees, colleagues, customers, or family members. For a limited time the company is offering eCipher Pro at one half off of the suggested retail price.

In a June Technology Pundits article entitled Protecting eMail and Saving Your Assets, technology guru Rob Enderle wrote, “For things that should remain confidential, like notes to your attorney, I’ve come to conclude that a tool like eCipher could save your job or your company some day. As a result it is probably time to think about how your mail is secured enough (it probably isn’t) and whether it is well past time you fixed that (it is).”

Easily send secure email with eCipher, which works with most email programs, including Microsoft Outlook™, Thunderbird™ or Eudora™. Microsoft Outlook users have the additional benefit from the eCipher add-in. eCipher can also send secure email directly through web-based email programs like Gmail, AOL, Yahoo! Mail Plus, Comcast, and many others. A free, one-time download is required to view and reply to secure email messages. Unlike many encryption programs, eCipher Pro also allows users to control what happens to a message once it’s been received. Sending encrypted email is as easy as clicking the “Send Secure” button.

eCipher utilizes strong encryption technology ensuring that a secure email can only be opened by intended recipients. Users may establish viewing, copying, printing, saving, and forwarding permissions that remain within their email throughout its life cycle. eCipher also secures data on a computer in case the machine is ever stolen.

The new Delivery Receipts feature notifies users when someone opens their eCipher secure emails, and verifies the receipt of important information, serving as a reminder to follow up with the recipient. This tool is ideal for physicians, sales people, or anyone who needs to keep track of important and confidential emails.

“eCipher uses public key cryptography to secure your e-mail, and its encryption is top-notch—256-bit AES and 2,048-bit RSA encryption… eCipher Pro lets you send secure email to any recipient, without ever having to think about the sophisticated mechanisms that make it possible …Yes, eCipher Pro is very straightforward and simple to use. If the free edition’s features are sufficient for your needs, it's a very good choice.” (PC Magazine Review)

eCipher integrates with Microsoft Outlook making it easy to send secure email messages. A small toolbar added to the Compose window offers access to eCipher’s options. Once a user chooses “Send Secure,” a number of digital rights management options control what the recipient can do with the received message. You can prevent copying to the clipboard, printing, saving, or forwarding the message, and you can request a delivery receipt. When you click the regular Send button, eCipher encrypts and sends the message.

Users who prefer an email client other than Outlook must use eCipher’s rich-text message editor from the program’s desktop toolbar. Boxes can be checked to limit what the recipient can do with the message and to request a delivery receipt. The editor includes a spell-check option and also lets users insert pictures up to 600 by 600 pixels. eCipher sends mail by using your system’s default email client; however, if your main email goes through a Web-based account, there is an option to configure eCipher for accounts such as Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo! Mail Plus.

eCipher email protection includes the following features:

eCipher Features:

• Encrypts email messages
• View encrypted messages
• Send encrypted “Reply” messages
• Email from desktop client via Gmail, Yahoo!, Etc.
• Contact list support. Can import Vcard, CSV files
• Outlook: “Send Secure” add-in button
• Outlook: Can send encrypted email messages
• Supports two email accounts
• Email support

eCipher Pro Features

• Encrypts email messages
• Encrypts email attachments
• View encrypted messages
• Send encrypted “Reply” messages
• Email from desktop client via Gmail, Yahoo!, Etc.
• Contact list support. Can import Vcard, CSV files
• Export contacts from eCipher to desktop
• Customizable greeting message (aka “Cover letter”)
• Outlook: “Send Secure” add-in button
• Outlook: Can send encrypted email messages
• Outlook: Can send encrypted email attachments
• Prevents printing of email messages
• Prevents forwarding of email messages
• Prevents copy (Save to desktop) of email content
• Supports multiple email accounts
• Password protection for desktop app
• Settings: Insert personal email signature
• Enables “Delivery Receipts” (message tracking)
• Centralized Deployment, Account Management, Reporting (Available in August, 2008) Telephone support
• Email support

Security Technology

• RSA-2048 bit asymmetric encryption
• AES 256 bit encryption
• Encrypts attachments of any file type (Pro version only)
• eCipher’s security remains for the life cycle of the email message—no matter how it is transmitted or where it is stored

System Requirements and Pricing

eCipher is free and supports two email addresses. For a limited time, eCipher Pro is available for $39.97 at fifty percent off of the suggested retail price of $79.95 per year.

System requirements include:

• Windows® Vista, XP Service pack 1 or 2, or Windows 2000 Service Pack 4
• 256 MB of RAM
• 15MB of available hard-drive space
• Microsoft®.NET Framework 2.0 or greater (eCipher will install this for you)
• Internet connection

To download eCipher or eCipher Pro simply go to www.ecipher.com. Users can also view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or register for the eCipher Forum (http://forum.ecipher.com/).

About Essential Security Software, Inc.

Essential Security Software (ESS) was founded in 2003 by a group of technologists concerned about the growing problems related to email integrity and security. eCipher leverages the company’s sophisticated encryption technology and lets users send secure email to any recipient without ever having to think about the mechanisms that make it possible. Since its inception, ESS has developed innovative email security and encryption technologies that are currently in use by its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, the U.S. Military, and international government agencies. ESS is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, and is privately funded. With the release of their newest product, eCipher, ESS offers email security with rights management and unparalleled ease of use.

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