Fax vs. De-Mail: What is safer?

Fax or De-Mail - which is safer? Most authorities refuse to accept important documents by email: "Better than fax, " it says instead. But is it really safer? We clarify it.

The security check: fax against De-Mail

• A fax is easy to manipulate: a signature copied with Photoshop is often not noticeable on the black and white fax.
• The sender identification of a fax is also easier to change than the transmitted sender data of a De-Mail.
• There is no significant encryption for fax machines. But De-Mail also has various gaps in encryption technology.
• A fax is only of limited significance in court: Since the date and time are entered, there is no effective proof of delivery.
• Proof of delivery is provided by De-Mail. But this also increases the obligations: The deadlines begin with the receipt of De-Mail. So you would have to check your De-Mail subject regularly.

Conclusion:

Fax is still standard with many authorities, while De-Mail is rarely used. This is not without its problems in terms of security: a fax is easier to manipulate and does not meet the minimum level of modern encryption. But the De-Mail is also not yet fully developed. As a letter, important, confidential documents are in safe hands with Swiss Post. To document the delivery, it is best to use registered mail with return receipt. A normal email is sufficient for the rest.

We have summarized more information about De-Mail here.