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Original poster

Encrypted Email Received - Proton Email is it real?

22 replies

ProtonEmail · 09/04/2019 21:23

Received an email from Proton Email which requires decryption. It’s hosted in Switzerland and have been given a password hint which makes me think it’s real because it’s something only ex and I would know so I’m assuming it’s something else from him. Has anyone ever had anything from Proton Email? I’m concerned it’s a scam email.

OP posts:

MatthewBramble · 09/04/2019 21:35

I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. If you feel you need to ask if it's real - delete it. Who sends unannounced encrypted emails?

slipperywhensparticus · 09/04/2019 21:36

Google it? But I think it's most likely a scam

BentCoppersOnly · 09/04/2019 21:37

I have heard of Proton but can’t remember if it’s because it’s a scam or legit. Does google turn up any info?

pog100 · 09/04/2019 21:43

Proton mail is legit and not a scam in itself. What your ex is doing with it and why he is using it to communicate with you is another matter. Ask him?

worl · 09/04/2019 21:49

Proton is used by a lot of scammers, as the email is auto deleted in an hour after creation, i wouldn't bother decrypting it.

worl · 09/04/2019 21:51

The actual account is deleted I mean.

Original poster

ProtonEmail · 09/04/2019 21:55

TVM for the replies. It said I had an hour before it expired. The password hint makes me think it’s real because it’s only something he would know and not a scammer. Sadly this sneakiness is something my ex would do so I wouldn’t put it past him. I’m going to see if I can decrypt it. If I don’t come back it’s because the phone has exploded or something (has ambitions of being in Mission Impossible)

OP posts:

QueenBeex · 09/04/2019 21:55

Delete it.

Southlonmum · 09/04/2019 21:57

It's a real thing I once had an address

worl · 09/04/2019 22:00

@ProtonEmail If Ex was sneaky, he'd use norton PGP, impossible to decrypt without a given key.

worl · 09/04/2019 22:01

Mind maybe taking a small snapshot of the cipher, I could maybe tell you if it's PGP.

Original poster

ProtonEmail · 09/04/2019 22:04

So it’s real. Ex and I have been in touch previously and have discussed the idea of making a go of things (using our personal emails, WhatsApp etc.). Tonight he’s sent me quite a few emails from this weird account urging me to make up my mind. I’m now suspicious AF. Why would he set up this account to send me this crap when we’ve been conversing through normal methods? Something smells fishy or am I just being paranoid? FWIW he has form for cheating.

OP posts:

QueenBeex · 09/04/2019 22:09

If he has form of cheating id say you're wasting your time even discussing getting back together.

But no, I don't think you're being paranoid. Sounds odd to me.

SleepWarrior · 09/04/2019 22:12

Is he possibly with someone else at the moment and needing to be discreet? I'd say listen to your instincts and avoid. This has red bunting all over it!

Skinandbones · 09/04/2019 22:15

I would suggest running one of those anti virus programs on your pc, I'm not really clued up but there is so much stuff about remote access and keystrokes. It just makes me wonder if that's why he's used a different account.

Southlonmum · 09/04/2019 22:24

Sounds bizarre, ignore and move on to find a more grown up person who can talk to you instead of doing this.

Original poster

ProtonEmail · 09/04/2019 22:26

My computer didn’t blow up and it’s obviously him. I don’t think there’s someone else, I’ve been spending a fair bit of time with him lately and there’s been no signs of a lurking ex....he’s friends with one of his exes on Facebook but I just assumed that was him being friendly because they amicably split....have text to ask what’s going on...nothing as yet... who even thinks of creating shit like this? Seems sneaky

OP posts:

QueenBeex · 09/04/2019 23:33

My computer didn’t blow up

😂😂 well that's the main thing! Atleast you haven't got to spend hundreds on a new one.

pog100 · 10/04/2019 10:24

There's really nothing wrong with Proton mail. Just look it up on Wikipedia. It tends to be used by people worried, or paranoid, about hacking. There is no obvious reason for him to change our just randomly trying something or making sure his mailbox isn't hacked into.

Original poster

ProtonEmail · 10/04/2019 10:33

Pog I don’t agree. It’s not his normal email address, it’s not identifiable as him at all, the only reason I suspected it was from him was the password hint. Frankly I think it’s odd he’d create something that expires after 1 hour of reading it (he specifically set it so that it would expire). When I questionned him he said he liked the security advice he thought his ex was hacking him (I don’t believe this)

OP posts:

category12 · 10/04/2019 10:38

Odd to suddenly encrypt his emails - does he have it on his email account at work or something? My work email has an encryption button for emails going outside the organisation and sometimes you press "yes" by accident. Don't know if Proton is like that or something different.

If you think he's playing silly buggers, then you've got to ask yourself why you're bothering with him.

Also, with his cheating history, you have to wonder what you're doing going there at all.

category12 · 10/04/2019 10:40

x-posted

But oh great, he's paranoid and has "crazy exes" into the bargain. You really need to get yourself some directions to the hills and run there.

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