T&T: E-Mail Security While Cruising

[Michael Liddle]

I suppose we all have this issue, but being cruisers we may not have
as many alternatives as land dwellers.

I send e-mails and instant messages (IM) to several people while I
cruise, and vice-versa.  There are many cases, and on a regular basis,
where the content is sensitive for any number of reasons.  Here's the
rub.  E-mails and IM's sent to people that primarily use their
computer at work or the laptop is provided by the employer, the
employers are now going to be required by law to keep the messages for
legal reasons.  They have the right, as I understand even before this
to examine content of many of these as we speak.

Many of my comm buddies and friends have separate, personal e-mail
addresses, so that solves the problem of not sending personal e-mails
to work e-mail addresses.  However, if they use the laptop, or phone
PDA, or read those e-mails on their work provided laptop they may well
be read and will be stored by the employer. Where the person is on the
road on a regular basis, it is almost inevitable that they will have
to use the laptop just to make necessary communications with family
and friends.

First question:  Short of carrying another laptop or using a third
party computer such as at Kinko's how do we communicate via e-mail or
IM securely?

Second:  Is there a reasonably priced, easy to use scambling software
that is available that could be used to protect the content?  I
realize that most are breakable by the government, with code keys,
etc.  but we are talking non-criminal communications that we are
wanting to protect from casual perusal.

Third:  Would using such software be merely a red flag for the company
to look at the communications in more detail of those persons using
it?

It appears that even if you are checking e-mails from home, etc. even
after working hours you are going to be subject to having those
e-mails/IM's read if the computer is work supplied.  One of the
primary rationale of having the computers issued to employees is to
generate more productive time, and give them more flexibility on
communications, and allow them to be able to function on the road and
away from the office better.  If you are not allowed any type of
secure usage then the value to the company and employee is greatly
reduced and calls for the employee to find other expensive and
cumbersome alternatives for communication that are private.  This
definitely seems to be a right to privacy issue and beyond the scope
of crusing applications discussion.

So, how do we communicate with family and friends via e-mail or IM
privately?  I know phone and in person.  But, the issues are directly
related to the ease of use for cruisers and the inability at times to
be able to reach/communicate with people on a timely basis while
cruising.  E-mail just works great for many of our communication modes
and activities.

I probably did not put this very eloquently, but I think most will
understand the underlying problem of wanting to keep our private
communications ... private.

Thanks for the input.  The list is great and generous with their
expertise and comments as always. Thanks to all in advance and have a
Happy Holidays.

-- 
Best regards,

Michael Liddle
53' Navigator