Open a Virtru Message Outside of Pal-Mac CSD

If you send this email to someone outside of the Palmyra-Macedon Central School District, and, encrypt it with Virtru, they will be required to complete a very simple two step process to open the email and any related files or attachments.  

This is what it looks like to receive an email that has been encrypted with Virtru and you are not part of the school district:

Common things you may hear, and how you can respond or provide assistance:

  • "I can't open it!"
    • You can direct them to the bottom of the message that says "having trouble viewing this message."  They will be shown a quick video and step-by-step directions on how to open the message.
  • "My district or business is blocking it"
    • Unfortunately, that is something they will need to ask their IT department for assistance with.  Area school districts permit Virtru messages to be received. 
  • "Did you just send me ransomware?  Why do I need to verify my email to open your message?"
    • As a courtesy you could let them know you'll be sending an encrypted message with Virtru, and, that we are required by law to encrypt any electronic mail message containing Personally Identifiable Information.
    • You may also add a Personal Introduction when encrypting an email.  After you turn on encryption, click the text shown in the red box below to add a message which will not need to be unencrypted to read.

This video describes the process to reading and responding to a message protected by virtru:

Reply to a Virtru Encrypted Email without Virtru Installed – Virtru

Final thoughts:

  • Any email communication that contains potentially sensitive or personally identifiable information should be sent using the district's provided encryption tools. When possible, choose another method which would eliminate the need to sharing information containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) electronically or via the internet.
  • NOT ALL EMAILS NEEDS TO BE ENCRYPED!  Please see the latest district guidelines, or, when in doubt - ask. We are here to help you.
  • Lastly, try sending yourself an encrypted message to your personal email with Virtru.  This way you'll have experience with just how easy it is to open secure emails and what it looks like for the recipient of your message.