The present specification discloses an improved method of encrypting a file and distributing the encrypted file over a network from a user computer to a remote computer, which includes providing an interface to a file encryption application to a user; receiving an input designating an encryption option from among a plurality of encryption options; based upon said input designating an encryption option, and based upon a format of said file, causing a separate application specific to said format to encrypt said at least one file, wherein said encrypted file is adapted to be decrypted using a passcode and wherein said passcode is transmitted to the user via at least one message type.