Digital Signing and Encryption - Android
Unfortunately there are no standardized methods to encrypt emails on Android or in the pre-installed e-mail application.
If you like to sign your emails with your digital autograph or to send and read encrypted emails on your smartphone, you need an additional application.
The application SMail (Gimy) has been chosen because of the S/MIME requirements and the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support as well as the great functionality.
The following instruction has been created with a Samsung Galaxy S I9000 with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and SMail 1.3.1.0.
Requirements:
- Smartphone with Android 2.3 or higher
- Connection to the Internet
- ZIH user account
- Exchange account
- Certificate (.p12)
1. Install the app SMail (Gimy) and afterwards SMail key. You can find these apps in the Play Store.
2. Start the app and its setup by entering in the following:
- Email address: ZIH-Login@msx.tu-dresden.de
- Password: ZIH password
Go ahead with Manual Setup.
Please select Exchange when you get asked what type of account you want to add.
Please complete the "Server settings“ as follows:
- Server: max.tu-dresden.de
- SSL protocol: SSL/TLS
- Activate „Accept all server certificates“
Click Next.
The "SSL connection information" are shown now.
- Please confirm "Allow this connection“ with Ok.
- You can change the "Account options“ if needed and go ahead wit Next.
- If required you can change the name and click Done.
- Please verify the notifications and Update Security Settings.
The basic setup is completed. The inbox should show your emails now.
3. Please copy your certificate (*.p12) on the smartphone and start SMail.
- Open the Account Settings (menu button).
- Open the Security Settings.
- Open My Certificates and Keys.
- Confirm the notification "Local key store does not exist, create it“ with Yes.
- Assign a password (Local key store password).
- Press the menu button.
- Select Import Key.
- Choose a certificate.
- Enter your password (of the certificate).
- Press on your certificate and select from the following menu "Set as default sign key“.
- Press on your certificate and select from the following menu "Set as default encryption key“.
Now you can send and read encrypted emails on your smartphone.