GnuPG, or GNU Privacy Guard, is an implementation of OpenPGP for encrypting and signing data. Its principal command-line program, gpg, can protect files and messages, create digital signatures, verify received data and manage the keys used for those operations.
GnuPG is broader than a single encryption command. The suite includes components for private-key operations, certificate and key retrieval, smartcard access and S/MIME support. It can be integrated into mail clients, package-management workflows, software-release signing systems and other applications that need public-key cryptography.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Encrypts data to one or more OpenPGP public keys and decrypts it with the corresponding private key.
- Provides symmetric encryption for protecting files with a passphrase instead of a public-key recipient.
- Creates attached, detached and cleartext signatures and verifies signatures received from other users.
- Comprehensive key management covers generation, import, export, expiration, revocation, certification and subkeys.
- Supports modern elliptic-curve algorithms as well as established RSA-based OpenPGP workflows.
- Can create quantum-resistant encryption subkeys for users who require post-quantum protection.
- Integrates with smartcards and hardware tokens through its smartcard support.
- Includes services for private-key operations, keyservers, certificate retrieval, CRLs and OCSP.
- Offers batch and unattended operation for scripts and applications that automate encryption or signing.
Website: www.gnupg.org
Support:
Developer: Werner Koch and contributors
License: GNU General Public License v3.0
GnuPG is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Email Encryption Tools | |
|---|---|
| GnuPG | Encrypt and sign data and communication |
| OpenPGP | Authenticating or encrypting data, using public key cryptography |
| Mailvelope | Extension for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox |
| Enigmail | OpenPGP Email Security for Mozilla Applications |
| LibrePGP | Updated specification of the OpenPGP encryption standard |
| Mymail-Crypt for Gmail | Simple solution to mail encryption; not affiliated with Google |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
| Disk Encryption Tools | |
|---|---|
| VeraCrypt | Strong disk encryption software |
| loop-AES | Encrypt disk partitions, removable media, swap space and other devices |
| dm-crypt | Transparent disk encryption subsystem |
| GnuPG | GNU Privacy Guard - implementation of the OpenPGP standard |
| GocryptFS | Encrypted overlay filesystem written in Go |
| cryptsetup | Configures encrypted block devices |
| Tomb | System for file encryption |
| Shufflecake | Create multiple hidden volumes |
| zuluCrypt | Feature rich solution for hard drive encryption |
| cryptmount | Managing encrypted file systems |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
| CLI File Encryption Tools | |
|---|---|
| SOPS | Editor of encrypted files |
| age | Simple file encryption tool |
| GnuPG | Implementation of the OpenPGP standard |
| Sequoia PGP | Comprehensive OpenPGP implementation |
| horcrux | File splitter with encryption and redundancy |
| rage | Simple encryption tool using the age format |
| Kryptor | Simple, modern, and secure file encryption and signing tool |
| transcrypt | Transparently encrypt sensitive files stored in Git repositories |
| Picocrypt | Very small (hence Pico), very simple, yet very secure encryption tool |
| enc | Designed as a modern, approachable alternative to GnuPG |
| ccrypt | Tool for encrypting and decrypting files and streams |
| Encpipe | Billed as the simplest encryption tool in the world |
| Volaris | Encryption tool designed to prioritize privacy and security |
| sigtool | Sign, verify, encrypt and decrypt files from the command line |
| eddy | Simple and fast CLI file encryption |
| Xecrets Cli | AxCrypt compatible encryption tool |
| nacrypt | Simple and easy-to-use file encryption utility |
| agevault | Encrypt and decrypt directories securely using age |
| v02enc | Symmetric encryption for multiple recipients |
| PurrCrypt | Fur-ociously secure encryption tool |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
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