ProtonMail's Bridge: Enhancing Security through External Keys

As a user of ProtonMail, you may have encountered the need for external keys in conjunction with your secure email service. The Bridge, a crucial component of ProtonMail, offers a comprehensive solution to this issue while maintaining the highest level of security.

For those who use Yubikeys or Nitrokeys with private keys stored on hardware tokens, using external keys can be a seamless experience. Similarly, when sending emails, the Bridge provides a solid foundation for normal use cases, ensuring secure delivery without adding unnecessary complexity.

But why are external keys necessary in the first place? The answer lies in the need to handle both encrypted and signed emails using external keys that are not stored by ProtonMail. This is where the Bridge shines, effortlessly resolving this issue and minimizing any obstacles to users. In doing so, it avoids compromising the security of the service, which could otherwise be reduced to a plain unencrypted email system.

While some may find the added complexity too daunting, even for those capable of handling PGP support and private keys from ProtonMail, the Bridge makes it possible to set up mail clients correctly. This enables end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by adding recipient public keys, ensuring maximum security.

In theory, it is also feasible to provide PGP-encrypted data via an IMAP connection. However, this would require additional configuration and setup on behalf of the user. The Bridge simplifies this process, providing a secure bridge between ProtonMail's services and external mail clients.

In conclusion, ProtonMail's Bridge offers a robust solution for managing external keys, ensuring seamless security and performance in both normal and advanced use cases. By leveraging the power of the Bridge, users can enjoy enhanced security without sacrificing ease of use.

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