VentureBeat

SendShield, a new software plug-in from Unedged Software, is a fast and easy way to strip your email attachments (Word, Excel, Powerpoint files) of all the meta data or other hidden comments inserted during the creation process.

This can save you from revealing embarrassing edits or, more importantly, contractual issues sensitive to you or your company. The company notes a number of indiscretions the product can save you from on its website here.

A screenshot below shows you how it pops up a warning when you upload a document, telling you that it contains comments you should be aware of.

Too bad this plug-in, currently in beta testing, is being made available only for Outlook, the primary email application of Microsoft’s enterprise customers.

Unedged’s founder David Pejcha says Outlook is simply the “low hanging fruit.” Considering 115 million or so people use Outlook in everyday business operations, it’s easy to see his reasoning. Personal email accounts are rarely used to send out critical or sensitive information, he says, so the company has no plans to support popular email hosts such as Gmail.

While I, myself, have not tried it (I don’t use Outlook), I’ve talked to beta testers from large companies Cisco and Symantec. Prior to testing the plug-in, the consensus seemed to be that it would be an unnecessary add-on. But the testers said that after using it, they realized how much extra, potentially damaging data goes out with everyday emails. They rated SendShield as quick, thorough, and simple to use.

The company, based in Sunnyvale, California, has made its way to the current beta test without financing, with four developers on board. While Pejcha says funding has been offered, there are no plans to take capital for now, he said.

SendShield is free to download for a limited time (here).