What is end-to-end encryption?

End-to-end encryption [/blog/what-is-end-to-end-encryption] is the process of encrypting data from the point of origin to the destination device, ensuring that it is protected throughout its entire journey. The term "end-to-end" refers to the sender and recipient's devices, signifying the start and end points of the data's journey

Why use end-to-end encryption?

End-to-end encryption is the best method for securing your communications. With end-to-end encryption, only the sender and intended recipients have access to the encrypted data, making it inaccessible to hackers and unauthorized third parties. End-to-end encryption can help you to protect your private conversations, financial transactions, and personal information from being spied on or stolen.

What is encrypted email?

Although all major email services use some level of encryption to protect your emails, people often use the term “encrypted email” to describe an email service that uses end-to-end encryption. Using end-to-end encrypted email ensures that only authorized recipients can access the contents of your messages. Not even the email service itself can read the contents of your emails. In contrast, email services that don’t use end-to-end encryption retain the ability to access your emails, hand them over to third parties, and put you at increased risk in the event of a data breach.

What encryption does Proton use?

All Proton apps use end-to-end encryption to secure your data. This means that Proton encrypts your emails, events, and files on your device before they are uploaded to our servers and can subsequently only be decrypted by your intended recipient. Proton VPN(new window) [https://protonvpn.com/] also uses end-to-end encryption to secure the data transmitted between your device and the VPN server.

Protect your privacy with end-to-end encryption

End-to-end encryption is at the heart of Proton’s promise to protect your privacy. We use end-to-end encryption to ensure that your privacy is mathematically guaranteed when you use our apps.

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End-to-end encryption

End-to-end encryption gives you the power to control who can access your
data. With Proton, you can easily use end-to-end encryption to send
encrypted emails, keep your schedule private, and securely share files.

The key to your privacy

Encryption is the process of scrambling readable data (for example, an email) into unreadable text that only authorized parties can decode using the right cryptographic key. End-to-end encryption (E2EE) applies to data that is encrypted at every stage of its journey from one device to another. Proton uses end-to-end encryption to encrypt your messages, files, and events.

How end-to-end encryption works

Protect your online life with end-to-end encryption

One account for private internet

We provide easy-to-use alternatives to Big Tech services and their surveillance
business models. With Proton, your data is protected, not exploited.

Proton Mail

Protect your communications with user-friendly encrypted email.

Proton Calendar

Save time scheduling and stay organized with shared calendars for you and your family.

Proton Drive

Collaborate securely, share large files, and back up your data automatically.

Proton VPN

High-speed VPN that allows you to bypass censorship and other content restrictions.

Proton Pass

Securely store, share, and auto-login to your accounts using end-to-end encryption.

Proton Wallet

Choose a wallet that’s transparent, open source, and puts you in control.

What others say about us

Jack Dorsey

Twitter co-founder

My favorite email service

Mark Ruffalo

American actor and producer

I love my ProtonMail

@DebLRobison

Twitter

You get what you pay for. In the case of big tech, if you pay nothing, you get used. I quit using Gmail and switched to @ProtonMail

@Aitchjd

Twitter

Thanks Proton for keeping us all safe in the complicated internet universe.

Millions of people worldwide trust Proton’s encryption to keep their communications private

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End-to-end encryption FAQs

What is end-to-end encryption?: End-to-end encryption is the process of encrypting data from the point of origin to the destination device, ensuring that it is protected throughout its entire journey. The term "end-to-end" refers to the sender and recipient's devices, signifying the start and end points of the data's journey
Why use end-to-end encryption?: End-to-end encryption is the best method for securing your communications. With end-to-end encryption, only the sender and intended recipients have access to the encrypted data, making it inaccessible to hackers and unauthorized third parties. End-to-end encryption can help you to protect your private conversations, financial transactions, and personal information from being spied on or stolen.
What is encrypted email?: Although all major email services use some level of encryption to protect your emails, people often use the term “encrypted email” to describe an email service that uses end-to-end encryption. Using end-to-end encrypted email ensures that only authorized recipients can access the contents of your messages. Not even the email service itself can read the contents of your emails.
In contrast, email services that don’t use end-to-end encryption retain the ability to access your emails, hand them over to third parties, and put you at increased risk in the event of a data breach.
What encryption does Proton use?: All Proton apps use end-to-end encryption to secure your data. This means that Proton encrypts your emails, events, and files on your device before they are uploaded to our servers and can subsequently only be decrypted by your intended recipient. Proton VPN(new window) also uses end-to-end encryption to secure the data transmitted between your device and the VPN server.