Outlook Limitations

• Policies only work in Outlook if Outlook is installed using the manifest link installation method. Policies will not work if you install using the Outlook add-in store installation method. For instructions on installation using the manifest link, see the Recommended - Install using a manifest link section in How to Install the XQ Secure Outlook Add-In.
• AutoEncrpyt Policies do not work if you install using the Outlook add-in store installation method. To avoid this limitation, install using the manifest link installation method.
• We cannot guarantee that all Policies work in the mobile browser or in the desktop client. This is a known Microsoft issue regarding how Outlook clients execute the Send function. There is no clear timeline for resolution from Microsoft to fix this limitation.

Google Chrome Extension Limitations

• DLP Policies will not apply to emails sent from Gmail using a mobile browser.

This article provides an overview of reports and guidance for understanding reports.

Activity breakdown

The activity breakdown section of a report contains the following data and graphics:

• TOTAL MSGS: This data value represents the total number of team communications.
• EXPIRED MSGS: This data value represents the total number of expired team communications.

• MSGS READ: This graphic displays the percentage of communications read.

• STATUS: These graphics display the percentage of communication statuses. Possible communication statuses are Good, Warning, or Needs attention.

• Keys stored to keep your data safe
• Unauthorized key request denied
• Events logged
• % of users sent at least 10 encrypted emails

• Most Communications: This list displays the countries with the greatest number of communications.

Status graph

The status graph section of a report displays the number of each communication status in a given time period. Possible communication statuses are Good, Warning, or Needs attention.

World map

The world map section of a report displays the number of communications by country in a given time period. Use the map's Activity key to determine the number of communications. For example, in the following world map, the US has 6-20 communications.

Product insights

The product insights section of a report provides data for each of the XQ products you use. This section may differ depending on what products you have enabled in your XQ Dashboard.

For an overview of all XQ products, visit xqmsg.co and click Products from the top navigation menu.

Activate XQ Secure Communications

Step 1: To access XQ Secure Communications, visit manage.xqmsg.com/pricing/communications.

Step 2: On the pricing page, select 1 Seat and use the toggle to select Yearly.

Step 3: On the Advanced option, click Start Trial.

Step 4: Log in to the XQ Dashboard. For login instructions, see the login guide.

Step 5: On the Workspace selection page, select Personal Dashboard.

Step 6: The system will ask for additional user information. Complete the form and click Continue to payment once finished.

Step 7: On the Payment Details page, enter your code and click Apply. Once the code is applied, you will see a $0 total and a "Strategic News Network Member" line item in the Plan Billing details.

Step 8: Under Payment Details, add a credit card and click Purchase plan to complete account activation.

Step 9: Get Started with XQ Secure Communications

Activate XQ Secure Forms

After activating XQ Secure Communications, you can activate XQ Secure Forms and add the product to your personal dashboard.

Step 1: To activate XQ Secure Forms, visit manage.xqmsg.com/pricing/forms.

Step 2: On the pricing page, select 1 Seat and use the toggle to select Yearly.

Step 3: On the Business option, click Start Trial.

Step 4: Review the form and click Continue to payment once finished.

Step 5: On the Payment Details page, enter your code again and click Apply. Once the code is applied, you will see a $0 total and a "Strategic News Network Member" line item in the Plan Billing details.

Step 6: Click Purchase plan to activate XQ Secure Forms.

Step 7: Get Started with Secure Forms

You are now ready to use XQ.

Team members without an assigned seat can only decrypt messages or view certain sections in the XQ Dashboard. To learn more about team members, see How to Add Team Members.

Team owners can purchase upgrades for their XQ accounts. For more information on upgrades, see How to Upgrade.

Purchase seats for your account

Before assigning seats to users, ensure that you have a sufficient number of seats available. Refer to the following steps to check the number of seats available to your team.

Step 1: Select your team from the drop-down list at the top right of the XQ Dashboard.

Step 2: Click your username and select Account & Billing from the drop-down menu.

Step 3: On the Settings page, click Billing.

Step 4: Under the Communications Business section, you can view the existing seats available in your account. To add more, click Upgrade Plan and follow the prompts to purchase your desired amount of seats.

Add and remove seats

After adding seats, you can assign them to any team member designated as a User or Super User. Refer to the following steps to add and remove seats from your account.

Step 1: Ensure you are on the correct Team Dashboard and click the Team tab from the Dashboard navigation menu.

You will see a list of existing team members, and a Seats Remaining status. Users with existing seats will have a greyed-out checkbox on the right-hand side of their user details.

Step 2: Click MANAGE PAID USERS on the Team page.

Step 3: Check or uncheck the boxes under the Seats column to add or remove licenses to specific team members. You can only add seats to Users or Super Users.

Click SAVE to complete the process.

This allows you to securely communicate sensitive data with colleagues and third parties, such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), sensitive financial information, passwords, etc.

Your data is encrypted before leaving your device and moving to the cloud, which makes it easy for employers to meet data privacy and compliance obligations.

How to Set Up Secure Email

There are four main channels for using XQ Secure Email:

• XQ Dashboard

• Google Chrome Extension

• Outlook Add-in

• GSuite Add-on

XQ Dashboard

The XQ Dashboard allows a user to encrypt/decrypt messages and files from our online web portal. It requires no installation. This is the simplest method to use for any parties who do not have existing XQ login credentials.

Encryption and Decryption steps can be found in the links below:

• How to Read an Encrypted Email
• How to Encrypt an Email
• How to Encrypt a File

Chrome Extension

The chrome extension allows you to encrypt/decrypt messages and files directly from your gmail account. This can be installed directly from the chrome store:

• Install the Chrome Extension
• Send an Encrypted Email
• Read an Encrypted Email and Attachments

If you are an administrator and would like to install the extension for your team, here is a link to Google's walkthrough as well as the extension on the Chrome Webstore.

• Group Installation of the Chrome Extension via Google Admin console
• XQ Secure Gmail on the Chrome Web Store

Outlook Add-in

If you are a Microsoft shop, we also offer an Outlook add-in that lets you encrypt/decrypt messages directly from your Outlook account. This can be installed from the Add-in Store:

• Install the Outlook Add-In
• Send an Encrypted Email
• Read an Encrypted Email and Attachments

If you are an administrator and would like to install the add-in for your team, here is a walkthrough of that process.

• Group Installation of the Outlook Add-in

GSuite Add-on

Like the Chrome Extension, our GSuite Add-on lets you encrypt/decrypt messages directly from your gmail account. This can be installed from the Google Workspace Marketplace:

• Install the GSuite Add-on
• Send an Encrypted Email
• Read an Encrypted Email and Attachments

How to Reach Out For Help

If you have any questions or issues that cannot be solved through our Help Center, please contact support@xqmsg.com.

I installed the plugin for the G Suite. When opening an XQ encrypted message I am presented with the dashboard, but nothing else:

If I click the back button in the upper left corner, I am told to open an XQ message. If I close the opened email and re-open it, I am present with the dashboard again.

If I open my dashboard in xqmsg.com it tells me I have no messages and nothing to see and should start using a plugin.

And yes, I am logged in with the same (gmail) mail account in xq, as in google.

If I am using Chrome and install the Chrome plugin, I am able to see the attachments but no message. The dashboard still shows nothing. At the moment this is unusable for Gmail for me.

Individuals and organizations are increasingly becoming aware of the insecurity of email and other messaging channels. People in the know are wary of sending any form of financial information in routine transactions like sending an invoice to a vendor or a credit card number to their mechanic. This justifiable paranoia has led to a proliferation of secure messaging and encryption platforms, all purporting to allow you to seamlessly send and receive secure messages. 

Unfortunately, many of these services are cumbersome and generally difficult to use. While we applaud our competitors for cybersecurity awareness, we at XQ believe that user experience is imperative when it comes to cybersecurity products. XQ was built by a team of cybersecurity thought-leaders and game designers to produce the most advanced and user-friendly encryption product on the market. 

What follows is a comparison of XQ with Zix, a leading encryption product used by millions of individuals and enterprises. We’ll outline how XQ exceeds Zix in key areas like user experience, functionality, and B2B/B2C deployment.

User Experience 

With Zix, users are required to log in to a secure message center within their organization. Messages are encrypted before being sent to the recipient, who receives the message from the address “SecureEmailReply@zixmessagecenter.com.” The recipient will need to create a Zix account with a username and password before they can read the message.

With XQ, encryption is embedded directly in your Gmail or Outlook account and only requires you to click “Secure Send” or the XQ logo to encrypt the message. The encrypted message will be sent directly from your email address, meaning the sender will appear as you and not XQ, minimizing confusion on the recipient’s end. The recipient, in turn, does not need an XQ account to decrypt the message. They can decrypt through the XQ website to read the message. If they have the XQ plugin, the message will automatically decrypt in their email client.

Cross-Platform Messaging

Zix only supports Microsoft Outlook.

XQ works cross-platform with Gmail, Outlook, and more. Messages can be encrypted and sent from and between any of these platforms, offering truly seamless integration into your workflow and clients’ daily lives.

Customer Access and Pricing

Zix is not readily available for use by all customers. 

XQ lets you add your customers to your secure bubble and lets them use the service for free.

File Sharing

Zix sends files through their server. 

XQ uses edge-encryption to encrypt directly on your device and send it through whatever service you’re using. That means we (and the service you’re using) can never see your data.

API Based Encryption as a Service (EaaS)

This is mostly a humble brag where we pat ourselves on the shoulder because we are the first and only cybersecurity firm to offer an end-to-end encryption as a service (EaaS) model. Our packet-based encryption service allows you to encrypt and decrypt on any platform, in any environment in a cross-compatible way.