Email Hosting By 4SecureMail - Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

How much does the service cost?
There is no "lite" version of our service, so all users get a 100% full strength solution. Professional plan is as low as $1.39 per month per user. Domain-hosted plans go down to as low as $.42 per month per user. For a single user, the cost is $3.39 per month. All accounts are paid quarterly or annually. Click here for more information.

Can I still use my current email address with 4SecureMail?
4SecureMail Personal & Professional plans provide you a separate email accounts with their own address, e.g. yourname@4securemail.com. You must use this address and account to keep your email secure.

If you own the domain you use for email, our Domain-Hosted plans allow use of your domain on our server through a simple MX change, which our engineers can do or assist you with. Your website remains unaffected, and no domain registration transfer is required. Once your domain mail is redirected to 4SecureMail, you may use these addresses to keep your mail secure. However it's all or none. You cannot have some of your domain mail on one provider and the rest on 4SecureMail.

Do you support forwarding? What about custom from/reply-to headers?
If you would like to receive email from accounts hosted elsewhere securely, you may forward them to your 4Securemail address. This provides you a level of security on these outside accounts. 4SecureMail also allows forwarding your email to other address(es). And, you may use other addresses in the "From" or "Reply-to" header. However be very cautious. Unless you actually view or retrieve your email from our server, using these methods may not keep all your incoming email secure.

What do I have to download or install to use the service?
Nothing at all. No downloads, no plug-ins, nothing to install.

What is your policy about sharing customers email addresses?
We do not rent, sell or share clients' addresses with anyone. Please read our Privacy Policy.

How do I know 4SecureMail email hosting will work with my PC or my current email software?
It works with all popular systems (and some you have never heard of) that have been released this century (and quite a few from the last century). Please see the list of compatible operating systems and email software clients.

My ISP blocks sending email through remote servers. Will I be able to use 4SecureMail?
Yes. ISPs that block 3rd party SMTP servers almost always block port 25. Our system does rely on port 25. Click here for mail client port configurations.

I need to send large email attachments. Do you have any size limits?
Yes, you can send messages with large attachments, up to 50 MB. There is not pre-set limit on receiving attachments.

How do I manage my 4SecureMail secure email account(s)?
We provide an email account administration control panel that lets you completely manage all of the user-level functions of your email account. For plans that include multiple accounts, we provide a master email hosting control panel that lets you create, delete, define and manage user email accounts while allowing each individual user to manage all of their own user-level functions. Domain-hosted accounts include a domain admin panel which allows user management, routing & filtering, reports and other domain-level functions.

Do you keep usage logs?
We do not record or log customer or usage data other than what is required for performance and security monitoring of our servers. The minimal information that is logged is deleted as soon as it is no longer needed for these purposes.

How does 4SecureMail help businesses comply with HIPAA, GLB and SOX Regulations?
Using encryptioned technology for sensitive email is only one piece of the puzzle to ensure complete compliancy of federal security standards, such as HIPAA. Using 4SecureMail for all our mail accounts, you can rest assured that your email is secure and meets guidelines addressed by these regulations.

How does the security work?
Each time a user logs in to their account on our email server using POP, IMAP or Webmail, an SSL session is initiated before any login or password information is exchanged and well before any data is transmitted. The SSL session uses the same security used by banks, credit card companies, PayPal, etc. to make sure online credit card transactions are secure. The server certificates we use are 100% secure like all VeriSign SSL certificates, using RSA-powered TLS (Transport Layer Security). Email sent to outside addresses, i.e. any account outside your own domain or not hosted by 4SecureMail, can be further encrypted and secured by our SecureVault service to maintain compliance with security regulations.

How does SecureVault work?
SecureVault allows you to send out encrypted email securely to any email address by typing "encrypt:" in the subject line (or other method specified by you). The recipient gets a notification that you have sent them a secure message, along with a link. They can use this secure link to view and reply to the encrypted message on our secure server without any additional configuration on your part. Click here for more information.

How does the spam filter work?
It incredible! First it checks multiple RBL databases and the SPF protocol to see if the sender is known as a spammer, or if the mail is coming from an email server that is either a known spam server or a machine that is not properly secured to prevent spam. Then it processes incoming messages through the powerful Spam Assassin system. As a third step, suspicious messages can be challenged by the Friends system, giving senders an opportunity to prove their message is not spam. Using a combination of these systems allows a user to actually stop 100% of spam without false positives.

How does the virus protection work?
We use a powerful server-based system provided by Avast. This system is certified by ICSA, the same certification authority that approves systems for MacAfee, Norton and a few other major players. Only trust ICSA-Certified virus scan systems. The system is installed on our email servers, so users don’t have to worry with administration or updates.

Is the service anonymous? Do you forward my IP address?
It is very private and anonymous. Whether you use Webmail or a mail client, we never forward IP information, so it is not possible for anyone to determine the senders location or service provider. And, only a court order can obtain information about who owns an account. If you wish to register your account with us anonymously, that’s OK but it makes sign-up a little more complicated so contact our support department if this is your requirement. No court can order us to provide what we don’t have. We don’t keep copies of email, or a listing of to whom users have sent email, or have received email from.

Do you have resellers?
We have an affiliate program that will reward you for referring customers to us. Contact us for more details. We'd be happy to work with you.

Where are 4SecureMail email hosting services available?
4SecureMail secure email hosting services are available worldwide to holders of major credit cards, however only U.S. currency is supported at this time. Customers without credit cards can be supported by check, money order or electronic transfer, such as Western Union.

Where are the 4SecureMail email servers located?
The 4SecureMail email servers are located in a secure data center in Dulles, Virginia, USA.

If I am using a free anonymous email like Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail etc., why would I need to pay for an account?
Many reasons.. 1) these accounts are not anonymous. The IP address of the sender is visible to the recipient with just 2 mouse clicks. In fact, their user and email information is logged and stored and is occasionally made available to others via court order or may be obtainable via pretext. The fact that the information exists in the first place is insecure. 2) Because there is no encryption, local snoops could read your sent/received emails, as well as learn your passwords. 3) They do not offer advance encryption services such as SecureVault. 4) They profit off you by serving up ads while you read your mail and sometimes these ads are even based on the contain of your email! 5) Hackers and spammers target well known providers simply because there are more customers.

What is secure Webmail?
Secure Webmail uses a browser, like FireFox or MS Internet Explorer to access an email account through a web site operated by the email provider. A secure Webmail account is a Webmail account that uses SSL security to protect the messages from 3rd party monitoring. Providers of free webmail accounts, such as Yahoo, are not secure.

What is secure POP and SMTP email?
This is email that is transported using SSL encryption between the email server and the email client. If both clients (the sender and the receiver) are both users of the secure email server, the message is fully secure end-to-end. Even if the “other end” of the connection is not secure, the secure email user is still protected from local snooping, sniffing or monitoring that can occur within the local network, by government agencies, at the ISP or at routers along the way. For end-to-end security to outside addresses beyond the secure server, we offer our exclusive SecureVault service.

Why does a user need SSL encryption?
Same reason that websites accepting MasterCard and VISA use it. SSL transport prevents snoops from seeing the message headers (From, To, Subject fields) and prevents message content interception on the way to/from the mail server while sending/receiving email. This part of the route is most critical for compromising the email privacy of a sender since local authorities like ISP/company staff, hackers or government agencies can most easily monitor it.

What if I use PGP or S/MIME for email encryption?
4SecureMail supports and supplements PGP or S/MIME encryption. Even if you encrypt email messages with PGP or S/MIME, the message headers still remain open. "To:", "From:", "Subject:" etc. header fields may disclose your identity and contain confidential information. Using a 4SecureMail encrypted tunnel to transport these messages creates an even higher level of security. PGP encryption is supported directly within 4SecureMail classic WebMail interface.

Do you allow the sending of UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email – Spam)?
Absolutely not. If you try it, we will use every means at our disposal to prosecute you, or help your victims prosecute you. At the very least, we will disable your account with no refund. Note that our privacy policy offers no protection to spammers. Our servers are set up to flag or even disable any customers account with usage that indicates a pattern of spamming. We also react immediately to any complaints that are filed with us.

Do you allow bulk mailing?
Bulk mailing to a legitmate mailing list of clients wishing to receive your mail is acceptable as long as the email is not illegal or deceptive in any way. Forged from addresses, encoded text, and mail written specifically to evade spam filters are just some examples of unacceptable bulk mailing. If you plan to bulk mail, you must contact support with information about your list so that we can approve it and remove the bulk limitations. Additional charges may apply based on volume.

Why do I need 4SecureMail in the workplace?
4SecureMail protects your emails. If you are the boss, it protects you from nosey or vindictive employees. If you are an employee, it protects you from your nosey boss or co-workers. It also protects your entire company from lawsuits, competitors, bad press and a host of other problems that can occur when email is not secured. Plus it will stop spam or virus at the email server, so you don’t have to deal with it.

I have my own domain/website hosted with a hosting company/ISP. How will this be handled if I sign up with you for secure email?
Nothing will change about the way your existing website or domain is handled. We have a lot of experience with this, because all of our business customers use their own domain name. For all email domains, there is a DNS entry that tells the world where your email account is located, for example http://mail.yourdomain.com. A simple MX (Mail Exchange) record update is all that is needed. Your website can continue to be hosted where it is now, or be moved to another location. We are secure email specialists, and we don’t do website hosting because it is not our specialty. And likewise, most hosting companies don’t specialize in secure email. Think about it - would you go to a brain surgeon for a heart transplant?

If I don’t have my own domain, can you help us get one?
Yes. Just contact our Support Department, and we can help you register a domain. This typically costs $12/yr.

What happens during the time while may email domain is being moved, will I lose any emails?
Excellent question. We employ a special Migration System that manages the process by checking your email at both locations until the cutover is complete, and consolidating all emails in the new location. Very few email providers can offer a migration service, so many times a user’s email is lost when moving email accounts because this type of precaution is not taken. We are specialists at this, and we won’t lose any of your emails.

Do I need any special skills or training to manage our 4SecureMail secure email accounts?
Not at all, it is a very simple and intuitive interface. Plus, you can contact technical support with any questions.

Why don't you provide a number for sign-up or support?
To keep our prices low, most support is done through email and sign-up's are handled online. Support email is usually answered within 24 hours. However, we do provide a 24-hour support number on request to clients of our domain-hosted Enterprise plan.

How do I pay for 4SecureMail secure email hosting service?
We accept credit cards online for all transactions, which must be paid in advance. You may also pay by check, money order or electronic transfer, such as Western Union. Please contact us in advance of any payment not made by credit card.

Does 4SecureMail send out invoices?
No paper invoices are sent out. We email your account two weeks before it is due so that you can make payment. Accounts past due become log-in restricted automatically until payment is made. Accounts 90 days past due are cancelled. You can check your account status, view invoices and change billing information through our online billing interface.

Who is 4SecureMail LLC?
4SecureMail LLC is located in Virginia Beach, VA. 4SecureMail is a secure email hosting company, privately and locally owned by retired ISP industry veterans.

If I still have questions, what should I do?
You have several choices. You can review email configuration and help files here, or you can ask any questions by contacting us here.