What is eFax and how does it work

How an eFax is sent, step by step

The person you are faxing does not need to change anything. To them, your eFax looks like any other fax. The conversion from file to fax signal happens on the service's side.

1. You prepare a file, such as a PDF of a signed form or a phone photo of a one-page letter.
2. You sign in to the online fax service in your browser and attach the file, or type the document in an editor.
3. You enter the recipient's fax number and, if you like, add a cover page.
4. The service converts your file into fax format and dials the recipient's fax line over the telephone network.
5. The receiving machine prints the pages, or the receiving service stores them as a file.
6. You see the status of the fax, and once it is delivered, a time-stamped receipt you can keep as proof.

What you need to get started

Setup takes four steps: enter your email, type the one-time code, pick your fax number and activate the account. You can send your first fax a few minutes later.

• A device with a modern web browser: a computer, tablet or phone. A browser-based service has nothing to install.
• An email address. Sign-in uses a one-time code sent to that address instead of a password.
• Documents saved as PDF, PNG or JPG. Most computers can save any document as a PDF from the print dialog, and most phones can scan paper with the camera or a notes app.
• A fax number, which you pick during setup. Local and toll-free numbers are available in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Is eFax secure?

Security depends on the provider, so check the details. Look for encryption while the fax travels and while it is stored, sign-in that does not depend on a reused password, and a record of who opened what. FaxToFax.com encrypts faxes in transit with TLS 1.2 or higher and at rest, supports two-step verification, signs idle users out after 30 minutes by default, and keeps an append-only audit log of every view, download and send.