Send a Self-Destructing Email

This guide walks you through sending secure, self-destructing text messages directly from your MailBig webmail interface.

Key Requirements & Limitations

• Contacts Only: Messages can only be sent to recipients who are already saved in your contacts list. Make sure to add the recipient to your Contacts before composing.

• Text Only: File attachments are not supported for self-destructing messages.

• No External Dependencies: The recipient does not need any specialized software, plugins, or accounts. The link can be opened and decrypted from any standard web browser or email client.

Step 1: Open the Mail Composer

1. Log in to your MailBig Workspace.

2. Click the green New Message button located in the top-left sidebar.

Step 2: Enable Secure Plaintext Mode

1. Look at the bottom-right corner of the email composition window.

2. Locate the toggle labeled Turn on plaintext mode (with the green indicator dot) and ensure it is switched on.

Step 3: Write Your Message

1. Click into the message body area.

2. Type the confidential message you want to protect and self-destruct.

Step 4: Configure Encryption and Lifetime

1. Click the DownArrow button

   
   on the top toolbar.

2. A modal window titled Send a self-destructing secure email will appear on the screen.

3. Configure the following fields:

   • Recipient: Select the target recipient from your saved contacts.

   • Message lifetime: Choose how long the message will remain accessible before it expires and self-destructs (e.g., 24 hours, 72 hours).

   • Encryption type: Choose Password-based.

4. Click the green Encrypt button at the bottom of the modal.

Step 5: Save the Decryption Password

1. The window will display an Encrypted message password.

2. Copy this password and store it securely.

3. Share this password with your recipient through a separate, out-of-band communication channel (such as an encrypted chat app or SMS). MailBig does not send the password inside the email.

4. Click Ok.

Step 6: Dispatch the Email

1. MailBig will automatically replace your plaintext draft with an encrypted access link and an expiration notice.

2. Click the Send button on the top toolbar to deliver the email.

Recipient Experience

1. The recipient opens the email in any mail platform (such as Roundcube, Gmail, Outlook, or Apple Mail).

2. They click the secure link provided in the body of the email.

3. A browser tab opens prompting for the password.

4. The recipient enters the password you provided and clicks Decrypt message.

5. The confidential text is revealed on screen and will permanently expire once the configured lifetime window closes.