T
The Daily Insight

Is fax and email the same?

Author

Andrew Ramirez

Published Mar 14, 2026

Email fax is exactly what it sounds like. Your business uses an email service to submit fax documents over the internet. Email fax removes the need for fax machine hardware, as your files can be sent and received through entirely online platforms. The eFax email fax service works with all email providers.

Does fax mean email?

Email fax is a system that allows users to either send or receive a fax through email (sometimes the system can both send and receive, sometimes a system can only send or only receive). Email faxing is a feature that is available in some internet fax systems. All email fax systems are a type of internet fax.

How do I send a secure fax?

How to Send a Secure Fax Message

  1. Scan or convert any documents that will be a part of the fax message to PDF, which is the most widely accepted file type for online faxing programs.
  2. Choose one of the online services offering secure fax messaging.
  3. Register for your fax site’s secure fax messaging program.

Why do people fax instead of email?

Benefits of Cloud Fax vs Email: Faxes can include a physical or digital signature. Complies with Federal Regulations including; HIPAA, SOX, GLBA and More. Faxes do not get blocked, contain spam or viruses. Faxes keep your data private with end-to-end encryption.

How can I send a fax from my email?

How to Send a Fax by Email

  1. Compose a new email and address it to the recipient’s fax number followed by @efaxsend.com.
  2. Cover Letters are optional. Enter the Subject Line and any Message into the body of the email.
  3. Your fax and cover letter will be delivered to your recipient’s fax machine. It’s that simple!

How can I send a fax via email?

How does fax by email work?

The sender dials your fax number that was provided to you by your email fax service. The fax machine does its thing by transmitting the data over phone lines. Your email-by-fax service receives the data, translates it into a PDF (or image file) and sends it to your email address.

Is it safe to fax SSN?

Is it safe to fax your Social Security number or Driver’s License? Unfortunately, no one can guarantee that a fax you send won’t fall into the wrong hands. First, be confident that the party you’re faxing has a legitimate need for your SSN or driver’s license information.

How do I send a secure fax via email?

Can I send a fax from Gmail?

Open your Gmail account and click on the Compose button to start a new email. Enter the recipient’s fax number followed by @fax. Attach the document you wish to fax from Gmail. Send your email and the fax transmission will be started right away.

What information is needed for a fax?

Gather the documents you want to send and put them in the order you want them to be received. Fill out a separate piece of paper called a coversheet with the recipient’s name, fax number/phone number, your name, your phone number, a short message and number of pages (including coversheet).

How can I send a fax safely?

One way your online faxes are kept safe is with SSL encryption. This type of encryption protects your personal information when you are using an internet browser. You can see an indicator of SSL encryption when the web address in your URL bar begins with HTTPS instead of HTTP.

Can I send a fax from my Gmail account?

Can fax be traced?

A Fax is a document that is transmitted electronically over a telephone line. The origin of any fax can be traced simply by tracing the phone number from which it was sent. You trace a fax number the same way you trace any other phone number. Pick up your fax and look for the phone number from which it was sent.