# Switch to Protonmail Reason #26: Check a message's lock icon before assuming it was encrypted end to end A secure-looking inbox does not mean every route to an outside recipient had end-to-end protection. 2026-09-08 :: Switchboard Tech Services ![Switch to Protonmail Reason #26: Check a message's lock icon before assuming it was encrypted end to end](https://switchboardtechservices.com/static/images/defaults/guides.webp) ## Why this matters A secure-looking inbox does not mean every route to an outside recipient had end-to-end protection. Privacy is easier to defend before this information is collected than after it has spread. ## The protection Proton's lock icons distinguish Proton-to-Proton, PGP, password-protected, and ordinary messages. ## Take action Check the icon before sending sensitive material. Use password protection or PGP for outside addresses when required. Email protection depends on the route and settings. Ordinary mail involving outside providers is not automatically end-to-end encrypted, and email metadata is not universally hidden. ## Sources [Proton encryption lock icons](https://proton.me/support/encryption-lock-meaning). - Categories: [Proton Mail](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/categories/proton-mail/) - Tags: [#Digital Self-Defense](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/digital-self-defense/), [#Proton Mail](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/proton-mail/), [#Email Privacy](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/email-privacy/), [#Encrypted Email](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/encrypted-email/) [Guides RSS](https://switchboardtechservices.com/feeds/guides.xml "Subscribe using an RSS reader") --- Canonical URL: https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/switch-to-protonmail-reason-26/ Language: en-us Content type: guide Author: Switchboard Tech Services Published: 2026-09-08T14:07:15+00:00 Description: Why check a message's lock icon before assuming it was encrypted end to end matters for privacy and security.