# Check if a mail was encrypted or signed

To check how a mail was protected, open it and look at the icons beside the date. A green lock means **Enhanced encryption** (PGP or S/MIME). A grey lock means **Standard encryption - TLS**, protected while it travelled between servers. In the mail list, lock and seal icons mark encrypted and digitally signed mails.

## How to check if a mail was encrypted or signed

1. Open the mail.
2. Look at the lock icon beside the date in the header.
3. In the mail list, look for the lock (**Encrypted**) or seal (**Signed**) icon on a row.

## When to use it

> Before passing salary data to payroll, Anita in HR at example.in checks that the mail from the finance head shows **Enhanced encryption**, not just standard TLS.

## What the icons mean

| Icon | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green lock, **Enhanced encryption** | The mail itself is encrypted with PGP or S/MIME. Only the intended recipient can read it. |
| Grey lock, **Standard encryption - TLS** | The connection that delivered the mail was encrypted. Shown on received mail. |
| **Encrypted** | The mail is encrypted. You may need to decrypt it to read it. |
| **Signed** | The sender digitally signed the mail, so you can check it really came from them. |

## Good to know

- Encrypted mails cannot be forwarded, and **Full Comfort View** is not available for them.

Source: https://docs.xgenplus.com/mail/check-if-mail-is-encrypted/