I've received an encrypted message from someone using CenturionMail™.  How do I open it?

To open an encrypted message, simply double-click on the attachment.  Then simply click the unzipped file and you will see a pop-up screen requesting the password to decrypt the file.  Enter the password and click OPEN.  Any text and or files attached by the sender will now be visible or able to be opened.  

If the file was sent as a ZIP file. You will need to unzip the file after double clicking it.  If you have an un-zip program already installed on your computer, double clicking the file will bring up this program in order to unzip the file.  If you don't have an unzip program and need one to open the message, a free one can be downloaded at www.winzip.com. 

If the file was sent as a CEF file. You will need to download the free utility for opening this kind of file.  Please download the CEF utility here.  The file is only 53K.  Save it and run the program to install.  From this point you will be able to open all encrypted emails sent to you as CEF.  If you prefer not to download the utility, CEF files (or other custom file extensions) can be opened by saving the file with a .EXE extension and then opening it.  

If you were not expecting to receive an encrypted message and do not have the password for it, before proceeding you should contact the sender to confirm that the encrypted message is legitimate and the password to be used for decrypted.

What type of files can I send with CenturionMail™?

You can send any kind of file or folder encrypted with CenturionMail™ as well as text messages.  Once the recipient decrypts the message, the files will be available exactly as sent with no changes.  

I've entered my Customer Code to unlock the program, but the program says it's not valid.

The Customer Code is the number that is sent to you when you purchase CenturionMail™.  This number identifies you as a licensed customer.  However do not confuse this number with the Unlock Code which is used to unlock the program from a full version.  Once you have your Customer Code, go to Register and Unlock and then TO REGISTER AND OBTAIN YOU UNIQUE UNLOCK CODE CLICK HERE.  You can then register and get your unlock code which is created based on the Customer Code and Application Code a number automatically assigned by the software when you install it. 

Do I need Microsoft Outlook to use CenturionMail™?

No, while CenturionMail™ can be integrated into Outlook, it is not necessary in order to enjoy the full benefits of the program.  CenturionMail™ will work with all POP3 email programs and most web-based email programs - including Hotmail. 

What does the email recipient receive?

The email recipient receives an email with an attachment.  The email will indicate that the attachment is an encrypted file and to double-click it in order to open.  When opened they will be prompted to enter the password to decrypt the message.  Click here to see how to customize this window.

How do I communicate a password to the recipient?

The password needs to be communicated to the recipient in a secure way - preferably not using email.  If you intend to send multiple messages to the same person, you might want to agree on a permanent password to be used for all messages to each other.  If the only method you have available is through email, you should send a hint in a separate email which only the recipient would understand.  The password hint feature in version 3.0 can also be used to communicate the password, but should be used only if a hint can be given that can not be easily guessed by someone else.

I have a registered version, but now it is running in trial mode. How do I get my full version back?

This probably occurred because you had a major system update or re-installed the software because of a hard-disk crash.  If this occurs, click here to request a new unlock code.  You will need your originally customer code and the Application Code which is listed in the box when you select REGISTER AND UNLOCK .

How safe is 256 bit encryption?  Can it be cracked?

To date the highest level of encryption that has been cracked is 56 bit .  256 bit encryption is exponentially stronger (not just quadruple) and will unlikely be cracked in the near future.  For more information on encryption and the type of encryption used by CenturionMail™, click here.

How can I customize CenturionMail™ or remove the CenturionSoft logo from my recipient's message?

The recipient sees a pop-up window requesting a password when double clicking the encrypted file.  This pop-up screen includes, by default, the CenturionSoft logo and a link to www.centurionsoft.com.  You can customize this to include your own logo or graphic in the administrators toolkit.  You can also change the link for the graphic to your website as well as leave it blank by removing any existing website listed.  Another option is to add a link to your email. To do this, simply type mailto:youremailaddress in the Company Url box.  When the recipient clicks on the graphic a message composing window from their email program will appear with your email address already included.  Other customization features in version 3.0 include the ability to change or remove the unencrypted text included with the message and to send custom file extensions.

CenturionMail™ also includes text instructions in the unencrypted part of the email that is sent.  This is to inform the recipient of what type of file is attached and how to open it.  It also includes a link to our website in case the recipients wants more information on CenturionMail™.  This is not an advertisement, but an easy way to make sure your recipient understands what they are receiving.  You can remove this message by going to your email program's outbox and opening the message to be sent and deleting the text before resending it.  

Do anti-virus programs block the recipient from receiving the encrypted attachment?

CenturionMail™ allows you to send the encrypted attachment in ZIP, CAB, or EXE format.  While EXE is the easiest format for the recipient, in most cases it will be blocked by anti-virus programs.  In almost all cases you will send the attachment in ZIP or CAB format - which can be opened by most recipients.  These have been tested on all the major anti-virus programs and are not blocked unless the system administrator has specifically blocked ZIP or CAB formats.

Can I use CenturionMail™ with an AOL email account?

Yes.  AOL now offers open mail access with IMAP and SMTP which allows you to use CenturionMail™ to send encrypted emails.  For more details for setting up your email for IMAP or SMTP, please click here.

In Outlook, my CenturionMail™ has become disabled.  How do I fix this?

Select Help in MS Outlook, then About Microsoft Office Outlook, and finally Disabled Items, CenturionMail™ should be listed, select it and click Enable.

In Outlook, my padlock icon doesn't show when composing a message

Check to see if you are using MS Word as your email editor, under Tools, Options, Mail Format in MS Outlook.  Because the MS Word editor is not a part of Outlook, CenturionMail™ can't include the padlock icon within this window.  You have two options, you can either deselect MS Word as your text editor and the icon will then appear the next time you open Outlook, or you can continue using word, but the padlock icon will only appear in the main Outlook menu, and you'll need to select it before composing a message.  See CenturionMail's Help File for more details.