Encryption with Passwords and Encryption Keys

Contents

8.1. Signing and Encryption
8.2. Generating a New Key Pair
8.3. Modifying Key Properties
8.4. Importing Keys
8.5. Exporting Keys
8.6. Signing a Key
8.7. File Manager Integration
8.8. Text Editor Integration
8.9. Clipboard Integration
8.10. Encryption Preferences

The GNOME Passwords and Encryption Keys program is an important component of the encryption infrastructure on your system. With the help of this program, you can create and manage PGP and SSH keys, import and export PGP and SSH keys, share your keys with others, back up your keys and keyring, cache your passphrase, and encrypt and decrypt the clipboard.

Figure 8.1. Password and Encryption Keys Main Window

Password and Encryption Keys Main Window

Signing and Encryption

Signing means attaching electronic signatures to email messages or even software to prove its origin. To keep someone else from writing messages using your name, and to protect both you and the people you send them to, you should sign your mails. Signatures help you easily check the sender of the messages you receive and distinguish authentic messages from malicious ones.

Software developers sign their software so that you can check the integrity. Even if you get the software from an unofficial server, you can verify the package with the signature.

You might also have sensitive information you want to protect from other parties. Encryption helps you transform data and make it unreadable for others. This is important for companies so they can protect internal information as well as their employees' privacy.