October 1, 2021
Addressing the Questions People Have about Online Faxing’s Safety
Modern technology has changed our world for the better. Things that were once tedious and time-consuming are now considerably simple thanks to the strides technology has made, especially with respect to cloud-based software. This also includes faxing services that have provided their clients and customers with an easy way to send fax online.
However, with an increasing number of cases heralding security breaches and stolen data by malicious hackers, one cannot help but mull over online faxing’s security. It is only natural to have concerns regarding this relatively novice concept as it entails the electronic transfer of valuable, sometimes sensitive, data from one device to another.
So the question remains - Is faxing online secure?
The answer is a resounding yes! Online faxing is indeed the best way to send and receive a fax without a fax machine. We understand that the idea of pushing sensitive documents through an online server can be scary, but it shouldn’t be a cause of concern if you are using a secure online fax service with state-of-the-art security features.
Suffice to say, online faxing is just as safe as any other form of communication. In this article, we will be looking at all the reasons why online faxing is a safer option by perusing over some frequently asked questions pertaining to the safety of this method.
How does online faxing work?
Online fax services manage the entire delivery process of documents electronically. There are routing rules in place to ensure how documents are sent and received. There is little to no manual intervention and there is real-time exchange of information directly via encrypted computer applications or devices. Documents once faxed can also be traced right from the time they are sent to the time they are eventually received.
Are there security issues with Online Faxing?
Online faxing is perhaps the best way to send and receive fax in a secure manner. In fact, it is a well-known fact that sending fax via the internet eliminates the risks often found in physical fax machines. Online faxing ensures your documents reach the intended recipient with extra layers of protection in the form of robust encryptions.
Faxes sent online are also tamper-resistant as there is an audit trail for each fax that is sent and received. Every single step taken in the process of online faxing is automatically recorded, organized and maintained for future references. You can refer to the trail to verify the delivery of a fax, track the history of the fax, and assign passwords to people who are authorized to access the faxed document.
Is online faxing more secure than email?
We seldom talk about the safety issues surrounding email. In fact, email hacking is a very typical occurrence, even more common than telephone line hacking. A popular study conducted by Verizon, claimed that email amounted to over 94% of malware attacks around the world. Moreover, emails are also susceptible to forgery. Anyone can compose an email and make it appear like someone else sent it.
That is not the case with faxes. Many modern online faxing services also allow their users to send faxes via email. People can now use secure online fax portals to send and receive fax with Gmail, Google or virtually any other email service in existence. The current trend has compelled many industries dealing with sensitive information to use online faxing over email.
There are three key ways in which online faxing services ensure robust security?
1 – SSL Encryption
Online faxes are protected with SSL encryptions. These encryption help protect a user’s personal information when they are using an internet browser. An SSL encryption can be identified when you see a web address in the URL bar beginning with HTTPS instead of HTTP.
2 – Confirmation Emails
There is always a concern among users of such services with regards to account breaches and hacking. People are rightfully worried about someone fraudulently using their account to send or receive faxes without their explicit consent. Online fax services handle this issue efficiently with the help of confirmation emails. Every time a fax is sent from an account, the account holder is notified of the same with a confirmation email. If you didn’t send the fax and still received a confirmation email, then you’ll know your account has been compromised. You can reach out to the support team to suspend your account or choose to change your password.
3 – Customer Support
Finally, an online fax service ensures safety to their clients with a convenient and competent customer support system. It is imperative for an online fax service to have a responsive customer support system in place to address grievances whenever needed. Empowering users with the ability to call, live chat, or raise a ticket to air the issues they are facing goes a long way in ensuring users feel safe while using an online faxing platform.
Is online faxing more secure than printed fax?
There are several security issues associated with printed fax that are simply absent from its online counterpart. Unattended fax machines can result in stolen documents, or an unauthorized individual reading the printed information. This stolen information in the wrong hands can spell disaster for a business.
That is simply not the case with online faxing. As we mentioned before, documents faxed online are protected with SSL encryptions. Documents are directly transferred to the end user’s email or computer/mobile device, and only the intended recipient can access it with a strong password. The document once received is tamper-resistant, meaning it cannot be edited without the change being recorded in the audit trail.
Finding the Best Online Fax Service
In hindsight, online faxing provides unparalleled security when sending and receiving fax online. They are simply a faster, more convenient, secure and affordable alternative to all the other traditional methods of communication available to us, including a fax machine. So it is a wiser option, especially for businesses juggling with sensitive information on a regular basis, to employ a reputable online fax service to send and receive fax.
FaxitFast is one such service that guarantees a robust platform to send and receive faxes online in a secure and safe manner. This user-friendly software is capable of instantly sending faxes via any smartphone, PC or email account without the help of a physical fax machine. So whether you seek to fax large documents online, or transfer sensitive documents instantly from your iPhone or Google account, FaxitFast is the ideal solution to all your online faxing woes.