Opening a Secure Email from Empower
A regular email is just like a postcard. You can write whatever you want, but anyone who gets access to it between you and the recipient can read the whole thing.
In contrast, a secure email is like a private and confidential envelope with an address window, only even better. Everyone can see who it is addressed to, but only the recipient can open it to see what it contains..
RECEIVING A SECURE MESSAGE
Because the message is secured, you may need to take a few easy steps to prove that you are the intended recipient. Two scenarios are possible:
SCENARIO 1
Decryption (opening the envelope) happens automatically for you because your system uses the same email encryption system that we do. Success! It was sent securely, yet you can read it just like any other email.
SCENARIO 2
You get a message that looks like this:
This is not the email that the sender sent. This is a message telling you that a secure message is waiting for you.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
1. Click on the blue “
Read the message” button. You will be sent to a website asking you to sign in using a Microsoft account (if you have one), or a one-time password. If you have a Microsoft account associated with the email address this message went to, simply sign in and you’ll see the secure email.
If you do not, or if you’re not sure, or if you have any difficulties, pick the one-time password option instead.
2. After you click on “
Or, sign in with a one-time passcode” you will get to a page asking for a passcode.
The passcode is sent to the same email account that the secure email was sent to, so check your inbox.

It will look something like this.

3. Type in the code and click “Continue.”

4. That is it. The email and any attached documents that were sent to you can now be accessed. Nicely done!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Isn’t there a simpler way? Actually once you try this you’ll probably find that it’s very easy. Click the button to see the mail, click for a one-time passcode, type it in and you’re done. And if you have problems you can always call Empower and we’ll help you through it.
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Does this work on a mobile phone? Absolutely. In fact, most of these screenshots are from a cell phone.
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Can I reply securely? Great question! Yes you can, from the same webpage where you opened the secure email that was sent to you.