Quickly Encrypt and Decrypt Files with GPG

Productivity Sauce
Need to quickly encrypt a file or an archive? You can do this using the GPG encryption software which is installed by default on many mainstream Linux distributions. To be able to encrypt files with GPG, you have to generate a key pair. To do this, run the following command and follow the on-screen instructions:
gpg --gen-key
When generating the key pair, GPG creates a user ID (UID) to identify your key based on your real name, comments, and email address. You need this UID (or just a part of it like your first name or email address) to specify the key you want to use to encrypt a file:
gpg -e -r part_of_UID file_to_encrypt
For example, if I want to encrypt the TidlyWiki.odt document using my own key, the encrypt command would be as follows:
gpg -e -r Dmitri TiddlyWiki.odt
This command creates an encrypted version of the specified document, and you can recognize it by the .gpg file extension. In this case, the command creates the TiddlyWiki.odt.gpg file. Decrypting an encrypted file is equally easy, and the command that does this looks like this:
gpg -d -o decrypted_file encrypted_file.gpg
For example, to decrypt the TiddlyWiki.odt.gpg, I'd use the following command:
gpg -d -o TiddlyWiki.odt TiddlyWiki.odt.gpg
That's all there is to it. By the way, you can use the gpg --list-keys command to view a list of all the keys on your system. This can come in handy if you don't remember the UID of the key you want to use.
comments powered by DisqusIssue 263/2022
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Deepin 23 Preview Release is Available For Testing
The developers of Deepin have made a preview release of their latest offering available with three exciting new features.
-
The First Point Release For Ubuntu 22.04 is Now Available
Canonical has released the first point upgrade for Jammy Jellyfish which includes important new toolchains and fixes.
-
Kali Linux 2022.3 Released
From the creators of the most popular penetration testing distributions on the planet, comes a new release with some new tools and a community, real-time chat option.
-
The 14" Pinebook Pro Linux Laptop is Shipping
After a considerable delay, the 14" version of the Pinebook Pro laptop is, once again, available for purchase.
-
OpenMandriva Lx ROME Technical Preview Released
OpenMandriva’s rolling release distribution technical preview has been released for testing purposes and adds some of the latest/greatest software into the mix.
-
Linux Mint 21 is Now Available
The latest iteration of Linux Mint, codenamed Vanessa, has been released with a new upgrade tool and other fantastic features.
-
Firefox Adds Long-Anticipated Feature
Firefox 103 has arrived and it now includes a feature users have long awaited…sort of.
-
System76 Refreshes Their Popular Oryx Pro Laptop with a New CPU
The System76 Oryx Pro laptop has been relaunched with a 12th Gen CPU and more powerful graphics options.
-
Elive Has Released a New Beta
The Elive team is proud to announce the latest beta version (3.8.30) of its Enlightenment-centric Linux distribution.
-
Rocky Linux 9 Has Arrived
The latest iteration of Rocky Linux is now available and includes a host of new features and support for new architecture.