Secure password sharing: why email is not an option

Why email is unsafe for passwords

Many businesses and professionals still send passwords via email. It seems convenient, but it poses serious security risks:

• Email is not encrypted — by default, email is sent as plain text
• Email is stored — on servers, in backups, in archives
• Email gets forwarded — recipients may unintentionally forward messages
• Email accounts get hacked — in case of a breach, all shared passwords are exposed

GDPR and password sharing

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you are required to adequately protect personal data. Passwords that grant access to systems containing personal data fall under this obligation. Sending passwords unprotected via email could therefore be a violation.

The alternative: one-time encrypted links

With PassTransfer you create an encrypted link that:

1. Can only be opened once — after viewing, the password is immediately deleted
2. Is encrypted — the password is stored encrypted
3. Has an expiry date — unopened links expire automatically
4. Leaves no trace — nothing remains stored on the server

Who benefits from this?

• IT companies that need to send access credentials to clients
• Hosting companies that share login details with customers
• Agencies that exchange credentials with clients
• Anyone who regularly shares passwords with colleagues

Conclusion

Passwords don't belong in email. Use a secure, one-time link to share passwords. It's faster, safer and GDPR-compliant.

Try PassTransfer for free →