This guide covers data protection regulations in Switzerland and Europe and the measures taken by Infomaniak to secure your customer data and data within Web Hosting and Mail Services.

Understanding the difference between data security and data confidentiality

Data security aims to prevent any unauthorized access to your information. It relies on measures such as encryption, firewalls, or VPNs. A security breach can have disastrous consequences: imagine a hacker stealing your entire customer database and demanding a ransom to return it. This type of attack—ransomware—can paralyze a business overnight.

Today, it is estimated that more than 50% of companies victimized by a cyberattack close within two years.

Data confidentiality concerns who can access your information and how it is used. Even if your data is secured against hacking, it can be collected, analyzed, and resold... legally.

Example: you carefully store your customers' information, but unbeknownst to you, a service you use shares—anonymously—this data with third parties. Result? Your competitors can obtain valuable market analyses and target your own customers without ever needing to hack into your systems.

LPD & GDPR

In Switzerland, the LPD (Federal Data Protection Act) and nLPD (for the "new Law" in effect since September 2023) protects the confidentiality of residents by regulating the collection and processing of personal data by organizations.

On the other hand, the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) of the EU, in effect since May 2018, influences global companies processing the data of European residents, including in Switzerland. While the LPD applies to the data of Swiss residents, the GDPR concerns that of EU residents. Swiss companies managing European data must comply with the GDPR's requirements, including appointing a Data Protection Officer and conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments in case of risky processing.

Your role as an Infomaniak Client

Regarding the hosted data that belongs to you and if it concerns personal data of your visitors, contacts, and clients, it is up to you to ensure compliance.

When processing this personal data, it is important to inform users about how and why it is being processed. This is usually done through a privacy statement/charter.

A GDPR certificate (in PDF format) can be generated and downloaded from the Manager (accessible to organization users who are owners or administrators):

1. Click here to access DPA management on the Infomaniak Manager (need help?).
2. Click the Generate button to download the customized PDF document:
   

Here are some tips on this topic:

It is crucial to differentiate between the security of the infrastructures where your data is hosted and the management and implementation of data on your side. As a hosting provider, Infomaniak acts as a subcontractor for your RGPD obligations. In this context, its privacy policies and cookie usage, as well as its terms and conditions, provide the necessary guarantees regarding its compliance as a subcontractor.

The role of Infomaniak

Like companies that work with user data, Infomaniak must comply with the LPD and, because some of these users are European citizens, the GDPR as well:

• The data privacy policy details the data that Infomaniak retains to provide and execute its services
• The policy related to the protection of your personal data describes Infomaniak's commitments as a subcontractor that hosts all of your data, including personal data

The hosting platform for your sites *perso.ch, *.users.ch, *.geneva-link.ch is evolving and this guide presents the procedure to follow to connect to your FTP space.

Change of login credentials

The current hosting platform uses a prefix for your FTP username. It is in the following format: "persoch_"

So, if your username was infomaniak, you will now need to use the following user to connect via FTP: persoch_infomaniak. 

This guide explains how to copy the contents of an Infomaniak email address (all email messages, folders, subfolders, in short, the entire structure of your mailbox) to another of your existing addresses at Infomaniak, using the import tool Infomaniak!

Preamble

• This does not affect either the content currently present in the address that will receive the content, or the content of the starting address whose content will be copied.
• Any duplicates are handled: identical content will only be copied once.
• It is possible to specify a second address to import during the same process.
• If necessary, refer to this other guide to import messages from an external mail provider other than Infomaniak.

Copying emails from one account to another

To import the content from another email address:

1. Go to the address https://import-email.infomaniak.com/.
2. If necessary, log in to your Infomaniak account on the Organization of your choice (the import will be made to an email address attached to the Infomaniak Mail interface of the account you are using).
3. Click on single import.
4. Fill in the left field with your starting email address (whose content is to be copied).
5. Fill in the right field with the password of the same email address (click here to verify that you are using the correct password and if necessary, change the password of your email address).
6. Click on Confirm.
7. If necessary, enter a second email address to be imported at the same time.
8. Choose which email address to import the emails to; the dropdown menu lists the email addresses currently linked to your Infomaniak Mail interface of the Infomaniak account you are logged in to.
9. It is obviously impossible to copy the e-mails to the same address:
   
10. After selecting the desired destination address from the list, click the blue Import emails button.
11. The copying process begins and continues in the background. You can close the window that appears. A confirmation email will be automatically sent to all email addresses involved in the operation once the import is complete, stating the number of messages copied.

This guide presents the email authentication mechanisms and ways to resolve the Sender Mismatch error.

Preamble

• The "Sender Mismatch" error occurs when the address used to send an email does not match the authentication address used when connecting to the SMTP server.
• This error is related to two specific elements:
  • the Return-path (also known as "envelope sender"), which is used by the mail server to handle returns and delivery errors,
  • and the From header, which is the sender's address visible to the recipient in the message.

Resolve the Sender Mismatch error

Technically, when sending an email via an email software/client, you must authenticate using a username (= your email address) and a password.

If, after authentication, the sender address specified in the "From" header or in the "Return-path" is different from the address used for authentication, the Infomaniak server may consider this an attempt at spoofing. This inconsistency triggers the "Sender Mismatch" error.

To fix this error:

• Check that the email address used for sending is the one you authenticate with (or a valid alias).
• Do not change the Return-path address or the From header to an unauthorized address (if necessary, refer to this other guide to test another email application or to correctly configure your current email software/client).

‍This guide explains how to perform a bulk action (deletion, activation of the anti-spam filter, etc.) on multiple email addresses within a Service Mail.

Bulk actions

To perform these actions in bulk:

1. Click here to access the management of your product on the Infomaniak Manager (need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the relevant product.
3. Check the box to the left of Email Address to select all addresses, or select the desired addresses one by one.
4. The list of available actions will then appear at the bottom of the page, including in the action menu ⋮ :
   

The following batch actions are possible:

• enable the anti-spam filter
• enable the advertising filters
• apply general rights
• enable an automatic responder
• apply a signature template
• delete the redirections
• delete the email addresses

This guide explains how to connect the eM Client email application to an email address hosted by Infomaniak.

Prerequisites

• Create the address within my kSuite or on a Mail Service (Mail Service alone, or existing within a kSuite).
• Test the email password (do not confuse it with the one used to log in to the Infomaniak interface).
• Check on the Service Mail that the automatic diagnosis is correct.

Add the email address to the application

To configure the email application:

1. Open the application and choose the desired mode, then click on Next:
   
2. Enter the email address to attach and then click the Start button next to the field:
   
3. Enter the email password and then click on Continue next to the field:
   
4. Check the box and click on Yes:
   
5. Check and complete the missing information:
   
6. Choose the desired mode then click on Next:
   
7. Check and complete the missing information:
   
8. It is done, your email address is now configured in the application:
   

Recommended settings

• Incoming IMAP server = mail.infomaniak.com
• IMAP port = 993 (with SSL)
• Outgoing SMTP server = mail.infomaniak.com
• SMTP port = 465 (with SSL)
• Username = the full & complete email address ( ? )
• Password = the one assigned to the email address you want to access ( ? )
• Authentication required for sending emails:
  • It is activated in the SMTP settings of your application.
  • Check "use the same settings as the incoming server" or, depending on the software/email client, enter a username (= full & complete email address) and its password.

In case of trouble

There is no need to contact Infomaniak Support if your email address works well outside of the application. The most common error involves using an incorrect password. Familiarize yourself with the solutions provided in this other guide regarding email in general.

This guide addresses issues that may arise when using Infomaniak applications (such as kChat, kDrive, kAuth, etc.) or tools (such as config.infomaniak.com, the Manager Infomaniak, etc.) with outdated hardware (OS, browser, devices, etc.) old / not up to date / obsolete‍.

Preamble

• For example, it will not be possible to comfortably access Infomaniak services with an iPhone 5s or 6 on iOS 12.
• It is therefore recommended to regularly update browsers and operating systems to benefit from the best possible experience with the Infomaniak infrastructure.
• Also, refer to this other guide which is more specifically focused on browsers and their components.
• And are you using the latest version of the Infomaniak app concerned?

Update the OS, browser, etc.

Old systems or browsers can cause slowness, errors, or incorrect display. It is therefore preferable to rely on regularly updated components because Infomaniak apps work optimally on up-to-date systems and recent hardware.

Example for kChat:

If you encounter any issues with an internet browser, try updating it or installing an alternative:

• Google Chrome
  https://www.google.com/chrome/
  (The site automatically detects the operating system and offers the latest version)
• Mozilla Firefox
  https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/new/
  (Download and update page for Windows, macOS and Linux)
• Microsoft Edge
  https://www.microsoft.com/edge
  (The link offers automatic update or download depending on the system)
• Safari (macOS only)
  https://support.apple.com/fr-fr/HT204416
  (Safari updates are handled through macOS system updates)
• Opera
  https://www.opera.com/fr/download
  (Allows you to download the latest version for your system)
• Brave
  https://brave.com/download/
  (Download page with automatic operating system detection)

Technologies used by Infomaniak

Many of the web tools developed by Infomaniak use Angular. The need for up-to-date or recent hardware to run applications is not specific to Angular itself but rather a general requirement for running any modern web application. Here are a few reasons why up-to-date hardware is often necessary:

1. Angular relies on advanced features of modern browsers, which are often missing or poorly managed in older versions.
2. Recent browsers optimize JavaScript execution and graphical rendering, which improves the fluidity of Angular applications.
3. Up-to-date versions fix known vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of compromise.
4. Modern browsers are more compliant with the latest HTML, CSS and JavaScript specifications, ensuring better compatibility.
5. Modern APIs (camera, geolocation, notifications, etc.) are only accessible through recent browsers, which are essential for interactive experiences.

This guide offers a solution for users wishing to increase the security level of their email, on a particularly weak point if you use an email software/client to check your emails.

All passwords are stored

When you use the Infomaniak online interface mail.infomaniak.com to view and send your emails, it is accessible via your Infomaniak account on which two-factor authentication (2FA) is enabled.

Indeed, all the passwords for each of the email addresses you have attached to mail.infomaniak.com are stored, and you will not need to enter them each time you want to check your messages.

But before that, you provide 3 pieces of information:

1. your login ID
2. the password for this login ID
3. you then validate your access request using one of the additional available methods

In all logic, a person in possession of your Infomaniak password will not be able to access your mailbox if they do not also have access to your mobile device.

Case of a software/email client

Two-factor authentication (2FA described above) does not exist directly with email retrieval protocols of the IMAP type. An email address has a password, and that's it.

Therefore, an email client installed on a computer will also store all the passwords for each of the attached email addresses, but will not ask for a login password.

There is a solution with Mozilla Thundebird:

1. Open the email client software.
2. At the top right, click on the menu button with three horizontal lines ☰ .
3. Click on Preferences (and not on Account Settings):
   
4. Click on Privacy and security in the left-hand menu.
5. Scroll down to the Passwords section (all your stored email passwords are here).
6. Check the box Use a master password:
   
7. Click on the button in the same place to set your new password for opening the software/client of the email:
   

To finish:

• Close and then restart Thunderbird.
• Upon reopening, enter your master password.
• If you enter the password correctly, you will have access to your accounts.
• In case of failure, Thunderbird will still open, but it will ask for the master password again.

This method especially protects you if you share your environment with other users.

This guide explains how to activate or deactivate the Infomaniak ad filter, which automatically sorts emails detected as Newsletters or activity notifications into specific folders.

Introduction

• The filter…
  • … is automatically enabled when creating an email address within an Infomaniak Mail Service or when subscribing to a my kSuite / my kSuite+ offer.
  • … allows you to focus on relevant and important emails, which improves your productivity by reducing distractions related to advertisements and spam.
  • … helps keep your inbox cleaner and better organized by separating promotional emails, which makes managing important emails easier.

Activate the option from the Infomaniak Web Mail app

Prerequisites

• Having permission to manage filters: if you had been invited to the Web Mail app (online service mail.infomaniak.com) to manage your address, it is possible that the Service Mail manager has revoked this right from their admin account.

To access the settings of your Infomaniak mailbox:

1. Click here to access the Web Mail app (online service mail.infomaniak.com).
2. Click on the Settings icon ‍‍ at the top right.
3. Check or select the relevant email address from the dropdown menu on the left sidebar.
4. Click on ‍ Filters and rules:
   
5. Activate the ad filter option, the effect is immediate:
   
6. To disable the filter, simply click the toggle switch again; in this case, all future received messages will go to the inbox.

Enable the option from a Mail Service

To access the settings of your Infomaniak mailbox:

1. Click here to access the management of your product on the Infomaniak Manager (need help?).
2. Click directly on the name assigned to the relevant product.
3. Click on the email address in question in the table that appears
4. Click on Filters and rules in the left sidebar
5. Enable the ad filter, the effect is immediate:
   
6. To disable the filter, simply click the toggle switch again; in this case, all future received messages will go to the inbox.

Note that you can activate it in bulk for multiple addresses at once.

Customize the advertising filter

Email location

In the same place (point 5 in the images above), by clicking on Modify, you can choose the default location of the 2 folders where messages will be automatically placed (similar to special IMAP folders).

This guide is for you because you have chosen (or will choose) Infomaniak as your host. This choice is not trivial. You are sensitive to ecology and want to do everything possible to reduce the carbon footprint on the Internet.

Infomaniak already thanks you for choosing this hosting provider that cares for the planet and for exploring the paths below to progress in the eco-design of your web environment.

Why act?

Websites consume energy to function, and the use of the Internet is one of the main causes of the increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to choosing an ethical host that uses renewable energy sources to power its servers, you can also contribute to reducing these emissions by adopting eco-responsible practices in the design and management of your sites and Mail services.

How to act?

As mentioned earlier, Infomaniak takes action on various points, including its support department: it will assist you in choosing services tailored to your needs with a focus on environmental preservation, gather your feedback to optimize our practices and draw inspiration from your experiences, while also communicating the environmental challenges in the hosting sector to adopt good digital practices.

At your level, there are several ways to reduce your carbon footprint on the Internet:

Minimize energy consumption

To reduce the energy consumption of servers and users' computers: optimize images, use web fonts, use minified scripts and data compression technologies. Clean designs can help reduce bandwidth requirements.

Offer options to reduce data consumption by using lower quality images or providing streaming videos in different qualities, to disable trackers and advertisements that consume a lot of data.

For good practices dedicated to WordPress consult the GreenIT sheets.

Use eco-responsible technologies

Sustainable development technologies, such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript, are more environmentally friendly.‍

Promote sustainability

Raise user awareness of the environmental impact of Internet technologies and encourage them to adopt eco-responsible practices. Including with the WordPress solution.

And what about email?

The same habits can be applied to your email communication:

• Use an eco-friendly signature that encourages recipients to reduce their environmental impact by using eco-friendly technologies or adopting eco-friendly practices…
• Use eco-friendly email management tools that utilize renewable energy sources and have eco-friendly policies regarding energy consumption…
• Use plain text emails instead of HTML emails, as HTML emails tend to consume more energy to be displayed…
• Use PDF attachments instead of heavier formats…
• Use unsubscribe features to avoid sending unwanted emails…
• Use tracking tools to find out how many people open your emails and thus know if you are sending too many or too few…

All these actions can be implemented gradually and should be adapted to the situation of each website. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Regularly monitor energy consumption statistics to continue improving the site's ecological performance. Infomaniak will offer tools in this direction in the future, but in the meantime, you can use https://greenframe.io.