In email applications, a digital certificate is used as a form of identity verification. When you digitally sign an outgoing message, it allows the recipient to be reasonably certain that you are the one who sent it. When you set up Outlook Express to use a digital signature with encryption, a padlock icon is displayed at the top of the window when you compose a message. This means that the message is encrypted, and that the recipient can only read the message if they have a copy of your digital certificate. If you no longer wish to see the padlock icon in your messages or want to send a message to someone whose computer does not support encryption, remove this feature from Outlook Express. Warnings Writer Bio
