Hushmail

Security for your email

Pros:

As a gmail user I really liked being able to secure messages with a pass phrase to ensure that only the recipient of my messages was able to read them.

Cons:

Many years ago Hushmail was completely encrypted, but now, in our brave new world, the TOS now stipulates that they can and will turn over your info in the event of court orders.

A good email service alternative

Comments: It is a great alternative to traditional emails for sensitive correspondences. A bit pricy at $49.98/year and leans its focus more towards healthcare.

Pros:

Hushmail has been a good alternative to Gmail. It offers great experience with both users and non users. It is very easy to send an encrypted email to non users with an option to add security question. Of course this has often required prior communication where I establish a few details of my contact and sometimes we just agree on the answer via Signal application. The non user will often create a paraphrase but sometimes it necessitates I advocate for this as some tend to default to reading email through their usual platforms and therefore making the communication susceptible to being read by anyone. This is where I have kept hoping that Hushmail will in future allow free and basic user accounts just to mitigate this risk.

Cons:

In most instances, Hushmail has worked for my use case. The emails for non account holders expire after 2 weeks. This is great for enhanced security but not so convenient for an extended period of communications that require a trail referencing to past emails. It would be good if I was able to set the period for email expiration beyond 2 weeks. That would be a great option.

Botched information

Comments: Another money-greedy company that now regrets that they didn't start out money hungry and also their customer service sucks

Pros:

This is a HIPAA compliant encryption service.

Cons:

I'm grandfathered in to the "free" version, which they apparently no longer offer. To strong-arm me out of a product they did offer, they LIE about information. Every month or so, my "used storage" will jump wildly overnight (from 29% to 248% this month) . I've contacted support, via email about this twice and no one responds -- the confirmation page tells me that "subscription holders will receive priority" Basically, they no longer offer the "free version" and to hell with loyal customers. I was able to set up an automatic reply, directing my clients to contact me ANY OTHER WAY

Encrypted email that’s easy for my clients to use

Comments: Customer service is excellent. They get back to me right away. That could be worth the price.

Pros:

I like that with Hushmail I can create alias emails for different uses. I like that sending attachments is easy. I like there is an app so I can use it one my phone.

Cons:

I guess the only drawback is the price-it should cost a few dollars less. I wish that it didn’t show my return email address to the people I send it to. Here is why. In California, the agency that regulates marriage and family counselors consider emails as advertising. Therefore my email must include my full name, type of license, and my license number. So that pretty much kills the confidentiality on my clients inbox. A stone can see the email is coming from a psychotherapist. When I found out about the alias emails I could create, that solved the problem... the only drawback is that the aliases don’t have my website name after the @InnerFreedomConsulting.com. Instead, it has Hushmail info @nym.hush.com But at least I can use an alias to send emails to established clients-so confidentiality is maintained.

Great Secure Emails

Comments: Has been a great experience. No really issues so far.

Pros:

That I am able to offer HIPAA compliant emails. Ability to send encrypted emails. Also was able to send one form in emails.

Cons:

I noticed that if I go to add a contact, I frequently have to refresh my screen before selecting to add a client. I would enter the information and then it doesn't do anything unless I refresh, then I have to enter it again. I don't like that other people can't initiate an encrypted message to me, but I am assuming that is not because of Hushmail.