How to Install the XQ FIPS Helper Application for Windows

You can set up the XQ FIPS Helper Application on Microsoft Edge and Chrome browsers on Windows machines. This enables users to send emails with FIPS validated encryption.

The following steps are intended to be performed by an administrator.

Installing the FIPS Helper

1. Download the latest FIPS Helper.exe
2. Double click the Install FIPS Helper.exe.

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Installing the FIPS Helper Browser Extension on Microsoft Edge (Enterprise Wide)

FIPS Encryption with XQ requires a browser extension (and so requires the user to access Outlook from the web or via a PWA from Microsoft). The Extension is available here.

To deploy the extension organization wide, follow the instructions here for guidance on deploying to your entire org.

Installing for an Individual User on Microsoft Edge

1. Open your Edge browser and navigate to the XQ FIPS Helper Extension in the Chrome Web Store,
   • Note: Chrome Extensions are compatible with the Edge browser.
2. Click Get, Allow, and Add Extension.

3. You should now see the “XQ FIPS Helper” extension appear in your installed extensions.

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Installing for an Individual User on Google Chrome

1. Open your Chrome browser and navigate to the XQ FIPS Helper Extension in the Chrome Web Store
2. Click Get, Allow, and Add Extension.

3. You should now see the “XQ FIPS Helper” extension appear in your installed extensions.

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Install the Outlook or Google Chrome Secure Email extension

To ensure your email client is CMMC compliant, you must install either the Outlook or Google Chrome Secure Email extension. Go to the CMMC Email Deployment Guide for next steps.

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If Microsoft Defender blocks the installer

Note

The FIPS Helper installer is code-signed, so you normally won’t need this section. Use it only if Microsoft Defender blocks or removes the installer.

The FIPS Helper application installs on each computer and contains the FIPS-validated encryption library. The FIPS Helper extension, installed in Edge or Chrome, lets the XQ Outlook Enterprise add-in or the XQ Secure Gmail extension use it.

If Defender blocks the installer, put it in a dedicated folder and exclude that folder from Defender scanning. On managed computers, Defender exclusions are usually controlled by policy, so ask your IT administrator to add the exclusion.

1. Create an XQ Directory folder on your local drive.

2. Move the FIPS Helper installer into the XQ Directory folder.

3. Open Windows Security and select Virus & threat protection.
4. Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings.
5. Under Exclusions, select Add or remove exclusions, then Add an exclusion > Folder.
6. Select the XQ Directory folder, then run the installer from that folder.