This
FAQ will address questions that non-subscribers might have. Specific
questions about setting up accounts and services are covered in
a separate FAQ within the site.
What
does SecureNym offer?
Simply
put, private, secure e-mail capabilities. The degree of security
and anonymity is largely up to the user. Much like driving a car,
safety depends a great deal on the operator. Used correctly, SecureNym
offers excellent levels of both security and anonymity.
Click
here for SecureNym's Terms of Service.
How
is it used?
There
are a several ways to access SecureNym and number of options that
may be implemented. One secure method is to use the SecureNym web
interface (click here for view)
for all messaging needs. This interface makes use of SSL encryption
at all times, and looks somewhat like Hotmail or other similar services.
Can
you use your mail client?
SecureNym
may be used directly with Outlook Express 5.0+, Outlook, Eudora 6.0+,
and Netscape 7.0+ versions.
Outlook
2002 (which comes bundled with Win XP) may NOT work with
SecureNym, or other mail servers using SSL, other than those using
Microsoft Exchange. Outlook 2002 was shipped with many known bugs,
this being only one of them. Outlook 2003 seems to have resolved this problem.
Netscape
6+ (Mac and PC) does work with SecureNym, but is so buggy that it's
use is NOT recommended at this time.
By
using authentication and SSL, all messaging is secure and anonymous.
If the user does not enable SSL, security will be considerably lessened.
What
is Secure File Transfer?
This
feature allows users to send files securely to any user.
Click here for details.
Is
additional encryption supported?
SecureNym
now supports both PGP and S/mime server-side encryption. This allows
users to have all incoming messages automatically encrypted before
being saved to your mailbox. For those users who archive messages on our mail servers, SecureNym recommends enabling PGP or S/mime encryption of incoming messages.
Please be aware that PGP 9 is NOT recommended for use with SecureNym or otherwise. The 'new' PGP's use of "Pervasive Encryption" and "Automagical" functions is quite confusing, and raises some security issues as well.
Additional
S/mime information may be found here.
Whether
using the web interface or most mail clients, SecureNym offers SSL
encryption.
By
installing PGP or an S/mime certificate on your computer, and uploading
the public key to SecureNym, all messages in the mailbox are fully
encrypted with a key that only the user can unlock.
Even
when messages are sent to a recipient that does not use PGP or S/mime,
his reply will be fully encrypted with your key upon arrival at
SecureNym. SecureNym never has your private key, so only you can
decrypt a message.
What
do you need to do?
Your
privacy depends upon the responsible use of the service. SecureNym
cannot fully protect the user who ignores the guidelines and uses
the system irresponsibly. Security requires steps such as enabling
SSL if using a mail client that supports its use, not leaving messages
on the server, and using PGP encryption, if at all possible, to
insure message privacy until retrieval.
What
does SecureNym know about users?
SecureNym
maintains no logs of user activity. When a user subscribes to SecureNym,
a randomly generated key is issued from the server. There is no
record of who receives any key, and once the key is entered, it
is immediately deleted from the key file.
For
those desiring total anonymity, subscriptions should be paid by
money order.
SecureNym
does NOT maintain copies of messages, including backups. Once a
message has been deleted, it is gone forever.
How
difficult is it to get started?
Once
you subscribe, access is immediate through the web interface. Upon
login, an extensive set of FAQs are available for just about any
questions that should come up. These include step-by-step instructions
on proper configuration of a mail client, where to get PGP, how
to install and use PGP, S/mime, and a preferences page for customizing
your usage.
Technical
support is available by e-mail initially, and subsequently by phone
if needed. Support is a priority and is very personalized.
What
about bulk mailings?
SecureNym
is not to be used for any type of mass mailing. This includes mailing
lists, of whatever nature. The total number of recipients of any
message is limited to twenty.
Anyone
considering use of SecureNym for spam should NOT waste their time
or money. SecureNym will not tolerate spam, and offending accounts
will be cancelled without warning.