What is P7M File Extension? How to Open, Create and View P7M File?

What is a P7M File?

P7M is a safe file format for messaging and document exchange that consists of encrypted and digitally signed messages and documents and complies with the Cryptographic Message Syntax Standard (CMS), which is a part of the PKCS #7 standard.

These files are mainly used to provide the data/ information security, that means no one can view or change the content without the authority. When any email or document is adopted to a P7M format, it is actually both encrypted and signed.

The encryption enables the recipient only to be able to decode the information with the correct decryption key. The digital signature, on the other hand, confirms the identity of the sender and ensures that no one tries to modify the information after it was signed.

Uses of P7M Files

Any digital format can be safely stated that P7M files are used most of the time to improve security and credibility of messages and documents. Here are some key uses:

Secure Email Communications

P7M files are commonly used to secure the emails through encryption as well as to sign them through digital signatures. This helps to ensure that the content is protected and could not be opened by anybody other than the intended recipient.

The digital signature confirms the identity of the sender and the fact that the message has not been changed by other parties during its transmission.

Buy S/MIME Certificates & Secure Email Comunications

This is especially because several business, legal, as well as governmental practices, require secure and confidential communication.

Legal and Financial Transactions

In the legal field and for financial treaties and agreements, P7M files are employed for file sharing.

Encryption helps only the intended recipient or the concerned personnel to read the content while digital signatures ensure accountability for the document by providing a record of all actions made on the document.

This also counters fraud and makes documents legal, credible and Tat still binding for parties involved in contracts.

Medical Records and Confidential Data

P7M files are employed by the healthcare providers for the purpose of data protection of such things as patients’ records.

Encryption protects patient information from disclosure or exposure to unauthorized people in compliance with healthcare standards such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), digital signatures guarantee the correctness and credibility of medical records.

Government Communications

P7M files are essential for official communications and ensuring sensitive data is safely locked away with governments.

It locks out any unauthorized personnel from accessing the data, while digital signatures attest to the authenticity of the documents, which is very crucial for the security of a country or the world at large and the safety of sensitive information.

Corporate Data Exchange

In organizations, P7M files are used to protect business data that is shared in corporate settings from one department, with another, partners or customers. These are financial statements, strategic plans, Intellectual properties and any other material information.

Encryption enables only selected individuals with access to this data and, by using digital signatures, the integrity of these documents is also preserved; no unauthorized changes will be allowed and the guidelines of data protection acts will be complied with.

How to Open P7M Files?

P7M files are in fact encrypted using S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) protocol and thus can be used safely to transfer sensitive data through email. Nevertheless, to read or extract files that are stored in a P7M file format, you have to decrypt it with the help of the right tools or software.

Windows:

Using Adobe Acrobat Reader

• Adobe Acrobat Reader is another PDF viewer that is capable of decrypting and opening the P7M files.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from Adobe official website, to enable the installation process.
• When downloading is complete, locate the P7M file on your hard drive and double-click on it to open in the Adobe Acrobat Reader program.
• In case the P7M file was encrypted, you are to provide the decryption password request. However, once you enter it, the code will be processed, the file will be decrypted for viewing.

Using Cryptigo S/MIME Plugin for Outlook

• Cryptigo S/MIME Plug in is an Outlook plugin software that assists in opening a P7M file and decrypting it by using Microsoft Outlook.
• The Cryptigo S/MIME Plugin can be downloaded for free from the website of Cryptigo and then it is installed.
• Upon installation, launch the Microsoft Outlook application and locate the appropriate email with the P7M file.
• Right click by selecting the mouse on the P7M file attachment, which will open the file in the Cryptigo plugin, where it will be decrypted.

Mac:

Using Apple Mail:

• Using Apple Mail as an email client makes it easier to open P7M files if you are experiencing any challenges in the process at the moment.
• All you have to do is open the Messages folder in the Apple Mail application and open the P7M file attachment by double clicking it.
• You should be able to view the contents of the P7M file to read it by using Apple Mail to decrypt the file.

Using Adobe Acrobat Reader:

• There is also the Mac version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, with which you can open files in the P7M format.
• Go to adobe.com and download the adobe acrobat reader and install it.
• After the installation, place the P7M file on your desktop and double click the file and it will open in the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• If the file from the P7M folder is encrypted, you will have to provide a decryption password before viewing its contents.

Outlook:

Using Cryptigo S/MIME Plugin:

• For windows-based systems, the Cryptigo S/MIME Plugin for Outlook can also be used to open the P7M files under the Outlook mail client as discussed earlier.
• This plugin is available at the Cryptigo website and can easily be downloaded and installed on the targeted system.
• Once the plugin is installed, start Microsoft Outlook and search for the email where the P7M file is located.
• Double-click on the P7M file attachment located in Outlook, and as a result, the contents of the file will be decrypted by the Cryptigo plug-in.

Using Online Tools:

• However, users are not required to download other tools in order to decrypt and open files with the .P7M extension.
• All you need to do is upload the P7M file to one of these online tools and it removes the encryption automatically to make the content visible in your web browser.
• But when it comes to carrying sensitive information one has to be very careful with the use of online tools as they could be a security threat.

How to Create P7M Files?

To generate P7M files, you will have to encrypt your documents or e-mail messages with digital certificates or with third-party encryption utilities compatible with P7M.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to create P7M files on Windows, Mac, and Outlook platforms:

Windows:

Using Microsoft Outlook:

• Compose Email: Now that you have a new message, either open a blank message window in Microsoft Outlook or click on a response message.
• Attach File: This way, you can attach an existing document or the file that you wish to encrypt and send out as P7M.
• Apply Encryption: Next, go to the “Options” or “Security” section of the Outlook email depending on the version of Outlook you are using.
• Add Digital Signature or Encryption: Locate the encryption or digital signature feature tab where you can encrypt the email you are about to send. Choose the correct option to encrypt the intended email using a digital certificate.
• Send Email: After adding encryption to the message, send the email. Outlook will automatically encrypt the attached file and send it in the P7M format, which is secure.

Using Encryption Software:

• Install Software: Download any encryption program that can generate P7M files like Adobe Acrobat Pro or other P7M supported encryption applications.
• Open Software: Launch the encryption software and then this will lead to opening of the file or document that you want to encrypt.
• Apply Encryption: Read the instruction guide or manual provided by the software to apply the encryption on the file. This normally entails choosing the encryption scheme and identifying the certificated or public key belonging to the receiver.
• Save File: After encrypting the files, make sure to click on save to effect the change permanently. Of course, the encrypted file will be stored in the P7M format.

Mac:

Using Apple Mail:

• Compose Email: Send a new message in the Apple Mail or answer to the current message in your inbox.
• Attach File: To encrypt and send a file as a P7M file, the file to be encrypted has to be added to the program.
• Apply Encryption: Prior to clicking on the send button, locate the “Security” or “Encrypt” menu within the application Apple Mail.
• Encrypt Email: Choose an option to use a digital certificate or an encryption key to encrypt the email.
• Send Email: After ensuring that the message has been encrypted, forward the email. In case the file is extremely sensitive, then Apple Mail will encrypt it and send it as a P7M file.

Using Encryption Software:

• Install Software: Integrate encryption solution that suits macOS well; good options are GPG Suite and Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Open Software: Launch the encryption software and this will involve uploading the file or the document you want to create the encryption for.
• Apply Encryption: Use the features of the software package in question to encrypt the file as per the instructions, enter recipient’s digital certificate/ public key depending on the need.
• Save File: After that, encrypt the file and then you need to save it to complete encryption. The encrypted file will be saved in the P7M format, which is an encrypted file format that is different from PGP.

Outlook:

Using Microsoft Outlook:

Follow Windows Steps: Observe the same general guidelines mentioned in the previous sections for generating P7M files in Windows.

Using Encryption Plugins

• Install Plugins: There are specialized encryption plugins, which can be installed on Outlook and which include the Cryptigo S/MIME Plugin.
• Compose Email: To add a new message to the conversation: Open Outlook, create a new message, or reply to a current conversation message.
• Attach File: Although it’s possible to encrypt and send any text document, you must add the file or document that you wish to encrypt and send as P7M.
• Apply Encryption: Utilize the encrypt plugin and place the encryption on the email with the focus being the recipient’s digital certificate or public key.
• Send Email: After applying the steps of encryption, forward the mail. The file to be sent out should be encrypted and then given the format of P7M for encoding.

How to View P7M Files?

Windows:

Using Encryption Software:

• Install Encryption Software: Start with the installation of an encryption tool that offers support for the creation of P7M files. Such tools may be Adobe Acrobat Pro and other third-party tools used to encrypt the data.
• Open the Software: Open the encryption software that is to be installed in the Windows operating system of your computer.
• Import the File: Open the encryption software and incorporate the document or file you want to encrypt.
• Apply Encryption: The steps that are followed in order to encrypt the file are presented in the software. This often involves choosing the encryption algorithm and entering the recipient digital certificate or the public key if required.
• Save the File: If encryption is applied, then click on save button to save the file. The encrypted file then will be in P7M file format.

Mac:

Using Encryption Software:

• Install Encryption Software: Choose encryption software that works well with macOS; some appropriate solutions are GPG Suite or Adobe Acrobat Pro.
• Open the Software: Open the program which has the capacity to encrypt your Mac.
• Import the File: Using the encryption software, open the document or the file that you want to protect by encrypting it.
• Apply Encryption: If required by the software, use the details of the chosen recipient such as their digital certificate or public key to apply encryption to the file as per the indicated instructions.
• Save the File: After encryption is done, it is recommended that the file is saved again. The encrypted file will be saved in the p7m format.

Outlook:

Using Microsoft Outlook:

• Compose Email: Before executing these steps, begin by creating a brand new message within Microsoft Outlook or reply to an existing message.
• Attach the File: Include the actual document or the file that you intend to encrypt and transfer in P7M format.
• Apply Encryption: After composing the message, go to the “Options” or “Security” section of the Outlook window (based on the Outlook version you have).
• Add Digital Signature or Encryption: Try to find the button which says something like: ‘Add digital signature’, or ‘Encrypt the message’. Choose one of the options to encrypt your email using a digital certificate.
• Send the Email: After applying the encryption to your message, you need to send the email. Outlook in particular will encrypt it and deliver the file in the format of a P7M file.

Conclusion

P7M files play important roles in maintaining the security of message exchange and documents in the digital environment. Whether it is secure communications through emails or protection of data, P7M files have an important utility in numerous industries.