How to Send Business Contracts Securely (Email Risks and Alternatives)

Contracts are among the most frequently exchanged documents in business. Surprisingly, many people still send them as plain email attachments — which is a much bigger security risk than you'd think. This guide covers practical methods to send contracts safely.

Why You Shouldn't Email Contracts Directly

1. Permanently Stored on Mail Servers

Once an email reaches a server, it's stored as plaintext. Even if the recipient deletes it, copies remain in the mail provider's backup servers.

2. Inbox Search

Anyone at the recipient's company can search for keywords like "contract" or your company name and find it.

3. Wrong Recipient

Email autocomplete can send your contract to the wrong person. Real cases exist where contracts ended up at competitors.

4. Phishing Attacks

Attackers send fake contract emails to exploit business trust.

Sensitive Info Inside Contracts

Item	Risk
Contract amount	Pricing exposure
Terms	Trade secrets
Signatures	Forgery risk
Tax/business IDs	Impersonation
Bank details	Wire fraud
Personnel info	Privacy leak

5 Secure Methods

1. Password-Protected PDF + Email

Add a password to the PDF and email it.

Pros: Familiar Cons: PDF password crackers are common

2. Cloud + Permission Control

Upload to Google Drive/Dropbox and grant access to specific emails.

Pros: Permission tracking Cons: Sign-up required, cloud provider can access

3. Hand Delivery (Physical)

Most secure but slow.

4. Certified Mail

Legal evidence but very slow.

5. LOCK.PUB — Password Protection + E2E Encryption

How to use LOCK.PUB for contracts:

1. Upload your PDF contract to the "File Share" tab at lock.pub
2. Set a strong password
3. Send the link via email and the password by phone
4. Disable the link after the recipient downloads

Pros:

• ✅ No sign-up
• ✅ End-to-end encryption
• ✅ Free password protection
• ✅ Pro: expiration time

Contract Sending Best Practices

1. Never Put the Password in the Email Body

Writing "Password: abc123" in the email defeats the purpose. Use a separate channel.

2. Keep Your Own Copy

Always keep a secure copy of the contract on your own computer.

3. Add Watermarks

Watermark "recipient name + date" so you can trace any leak.

4. Set Expiration

After negotiations close, access should auto-expire.

5. Confirm Download

Confirm the recipient received the file, then disable the link.

By Contract Type

Type	Recommended
General business deal	LOCK.PUB + password
NDA	LOCK.PUB + Pro expiration
Employment	LOCK.PUB (for HR)
Real estate	Notary + LOCK.PUB
Large M&A	Own SFTP / secure data room

Final Thoughts

Contracts are some of the most important documents your company handles. The casual "I'll just email it" approach can lead to serious incidents.

Try LOCK.PUB for free, secure contract sharing. No sign-up required — generate a password-protected link in 30 seconds.