Free Self-Destructing Email
Send and Receive Secure Messages with 7 Online Services
If you need to send a sensitive or personal email and want to ensure the email is not forwarded or copied, consider using a service that ensures the email will destruct. While self-destructing email services are not new, sending an email that automatically deletes or vanishes after a set amount of time is reminiscent of the Mission Impossible or Get Smart high-tech gadgetry!
It is important to note, self-destructing email is not totally foolproof. It is possible to take a screen capture of the email as it is being read which can be saved to the reader's hard drive. It is also possible to retrieve deleted information from hard drives. Before sending highly personal or confidential material electronically, think before hitting that send button.
Privnote – This web-based service is completely free.
- Users simply type in their message online and click “Post It”
- A link is created
- Send the link to the recipient
- Once read, the message is deleted
- Senders have the option of being notified when the message is read
- If that option is selected, an email is sent to the sender with the recipient's IP address
- Senders can delete the message before it is read by clicking on the link before the recipient views it
- Available in English and Spanish
Stealth Message – Stealth Message provides a free and secure online service.
- Type in recipient's email address
- Type the message and select from various destruction methods
- Sender must type in a secret code of choice
- Click the encryption button and send
- The recipient receives an email stating a private message is waiting and includes a link to the message
- Receiver types in the answer to the secret code question
- Receiver clicks “decode” and the message opens
- If sender selected a self-destruct method, the message dissolves after the set amount of time
- Works best with IE and Netscape browsers
- Options include preventing forwarding or copying messages
- No registration is required
Big String – This online email service allows users to track, recall, erase, edit and destroy sent email and instant messages.
- Attachments and pictures can also be edited or deleted
- A wide variety of options are available for users in this nifty free service
- Registration is required
Self Destruct Message – This web-based service is straight-forward and simple.
- Messages are automatically destroyed after 60 seconds
- Senders are notified once the message is read
- No registration is required
Read Notify – Read Notify sends email alerts when emails have been received and read. Information includes how many times the email was read, for how long and provides information if the email was forwarded to others.
- Documents and PDF files can be tracked
- No downloads are necessary as this service works with existing email programs
- Self destructing and retractable features are available
- Read Notify is not a free service although a free trial is available
- Several subscription plans are offered
Will Self Destruct – This website has a clean and easy-to-use interface.
- To use, type in the recipients email address, message and send
- The default settings for deletion are 30 seconds, but senders have a variety of deletion options
- Over 330,000 messages have been sent to date
Kick Notes – Kick Notes is another free online service.
- Select self destruct time based on how many times the message is read, length of time or both
- 3 different formatting options are available
- Users can send the message directly or copy the link that is created and send from email program
The websites listed above provide a wide variety of self-destructing email services.
