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Virtru

Virtru is an email encryption service provided to researchers of the university that are under research data control restrictions.

Users who are not under a data control restriction can encrypt messages to external users through our included university email encryption solution.

On October 14, 2025, Microsoft officially ended support for Office 2016 and Office 2019. Virtru will no longer support the Outlook Desktop Extension and Office 365 Add-in on Office 2016 and Office 2019. Virtru may continue to function on those platforms, but we cannot guarantee compatibility. Please upgrade to a supported version of Office immediately.

Video Demos

Troubleshooting

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Virtru?

If you are sending restricted research information which has been defined in a Technology Control Plan (TCP) you should use Virtru. If you don't know if you are on a TCP, please contact the Office of Secure Research via ExportControl@osu.edu.

Does the Virtru Encryption stay on when I save a draft before sending? 

Yes.

I am a student and need access to send using Virtru for my job. What do I need to do? 

As a student, your manager will need to request an additional account (name.#s) first, and that account will be get Virtru added.

 I have lost access to Virtru, how can I unlock my encrypted messages?

Any messages that you have sent or received with Virtru, you should be able to decrypt and read.

I replied to a message and it wasn't encrypted. Why? 

You may read an encrypted message via the Virtru pane with the Virtru web plug in, but you can not reply to the message directly from this pane.

To reply to a message you will click the Unlock Message in the notification email message to open the Virtru Secure Web Reader. You will confirm your identity and after your identity has been confirmed, you may read and reply securely to an encrypted message.

Is Schedule Send supported for Virtru?

At this time Virtru does not support scheduled send for encrypted emails via Virtru Outlook Add-In. Despite this not being supported for encrypted mail, scheduled send should still work without issue for unencrypted mail.

I’ve been added to Virtru but am not able to send encrypted emails, what do I do?

First, you must activate your account. If you don’t activate, you will have issues sending emails.

Why are my messages going to drafts and not sending?

You must reply to a message in a new window, not in the same pane.

To make this the default: 

  • Windows:
    1. Navigate to File then Options
    2. Select mail on the left
    3. Scroll to Replies and forwards on the right side
    4. Check Open replies and forwards in a new window
  • Mac:
    1. Open Outlook then Settings
    2. Email > Composing
    3. Format
    4. Open new messages and replies in a separate window
Why does my Outlook say "Sending with Virtru" even when I am not encrypting the email?

Virtru will scan every message being sent, encrypted or not. It is recommended to only install Virtru on the device(s) you plan to use to send and receive encrypted messages for research.

Why is Virtru scanning every message?

Virtru will scan every message being sent, encrypted or not. It is recommended to only install Virtru on the device(s) you plan to use to send and receive encrypted messages for research.

Why would I use Virtru instead of the OSUSecure tool?

Virtru is an email encryption service provided to researchers of the university that are under research data control restrictions. Users who are not under a data control restriction can encrypt messages to external users through our included university email encryption solution.

Help

For help accessing or using Virtru, please contact the IT Service Desk.