8 Compelling Reasons to Choose Mailum for Enhanced Email Security
While I may not participate in illegal activities online (a few grammar mistakes don’t count!), I put a high premium on my online privacy. After years of using secure email services, with ProtonMail being my longtime favorite, I recently switched to Mailum. This article outlines my reasons for transitioning from ProtonMail to Mailum.
1. Unmatched Encryption
Most secure email services, including my previous favorite, ProtonMail, only encrypt the body of emails. However, Mailum takes an extra step by encrypting not just the email body but also the subject line, sender and recipient information, and even the timestamp.
What I appreciate is that this robust security operates seamlessly in the background. I can continue to write and send my emails normally, knowing my messages are sealed away securely.
2. Zero-Knowledge Architecture
Back in the day, my first email account was with a local provider, and when I forgot my password, I contacted customer support. After answering a few basic questions, they reset my password. But this raised a concerning thought: if it was that easy for me, an imposter could do the same.
Thankfully, Mailum operates on a zero-knowledge architecture, meaning the service provider cannot access or decrypt my emails, even if they wished to. Should you forget your password and lack the Secret Token file created during registration, you’ll only regain access to your email address, with all other data lost.
3. PGP Support
A friend of mine in cybersecurity uses Gmail with PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption for his personal emails. PGP is encryption software that ensures cryptographic privacy and authentication for data communication.
With Mailum’s built-in PGP support, I easily added my friend Carl’s PGP key without needing cumbersome plugins or third-party software; just a simple paste of his public key and I was ready to exchange encrypted emails.
4. Tor Support for Anonymous Access
I generally utilize Mailum through its web application (with mobile and desktop apps coming soon—you can subscribe to their newsletter for updates), which means my ISP is aware that I’m using a secure email service, which doesn’t concern me.
However, in countries with stringent surveillance or limited freedom, Mailum’s Tor support allows me to mask the fact that I’m using a secure email service, reducing the risk of unwanted attention.
5. No Ads, Trackers, or IP Logs
Unlike many email providers that clutter inboxes with advertisements, Mailum adheres to a strict no-ads policy, even for free accounts. This means no accidental clicks on disguised ads unless you choose to use an ad blocker.
6. Anonymous Payment Methods
Mailum impressed me not just with its ad-free policy, but also with its avoidance of external analytics tools known for aggressive data collection, like Google and Facebook. The service does not log IP addresses and operates using offshore servers, ensuring enhanced privacy against tracking by governmental agencies.
Upon upgrading to a paid plan, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of payment options Mailum offers. In addition to traditional payment methods, they accept cryptocurrencies, which is not uncommon among secure email providers like ProtonMail. However, the extensive range of over 50 accepted cryptocurrencies is quite impressive, facilitated by the reliable CoinPayments processing service.
7. Open-Source Code
I am always thrilled to see services embracing open-source principles. Mailum’s decision to make its code available on GitHub is significant. While I may not be able to personally audit the code, the fact that security experts and diligent developers can review it bolsters my trust in the service.
8. Competitive Pricing
Prior to Mailum, I was shelling out $9.99 for the Proton Unlimited plan, loaded with extra features (like Proton VPN and cloud storage) that I rarely utilized.
For my basic emailing needs, Mailum’s Basic plan at $1.40 per month (with a one-year commitment) is more economical, providing me with substantial savings while maintaining high-level email security.
For those managing small businesses or larger families, upgrading to their Medium plan at $4.20 per month allows for 10 GB of storage and up to 10 email addresses with unlimited sending. Moreover, the pro pricing plan provides 100 GB of storage and 100 email addresses for $8.40.
In summary, Mailum offers an attractive blend of powerful security features, strong user privacy, and budget-friendly pricing that’s hard to match. While it worked well for me, it may not be the ideal solution for everyone.
All images and screenshots by David Morelo.
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