OpenPGP is a standard for encrypting information and creating digital signatures using public-key cryptography. It is widely associated with secure email, but the format can also protect files, software releases and other types of data.
The standard defines how cryptographic information is represented and exchanged, allowing compatible applications to interpret encrypted messages, signatures and public keys. It originated from Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), developed by Phil Zimmermann.
OpenPGP is maintained through the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Its current principal specification is RFC 9580, which superseded RFC 4880 and incorporates changes to cryptographic algorithms, message formats and key management.
OpenPGP is a technical specification rather than a standalone application. Software such as GnuPG, Thunderbird and other compatible implementations provides the functionality needed to use it.
Key Features
- Defines interoperable formats for encrypted messages and digital signatures.
- Supports public-key encryption for protecting information exchanged between users.
- Supports symmetric encryption using session keys.
- Defines packet structures for cryptographic messages and associated metadata.
- Public-key certificates associate cryptographic keys with user identities.
- Digital signatures provide methods for checking message integrity and authenticity.
- Supports detached signatures and signed message formats.
- Provides mechanisms for encryption-key management and revocation.
- Defines cryptographic algorithm identifiers and compatibility requirements.
- Supports multiple trust and key-verification approaches, including webs of trust.
- Provides a common format for independently developed encryption applications.
- Used by email clients, command-line encryption tools and other security applications.
Website: www.openpgp.org
Support:
Developer: IETF OpenPGP Working Group
License: Not applicable – technical specification
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.
 LinuxLinks helps you discover the best free and open source software for Linux. Explore our extensive collection of recommended applications, including alternatives to popular proprietary software.We also publish software reviews, Linux tutorials, hardware reviews, free programming books and articles covering the wider open source community. Browse our Linux resources to discover more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application we haven't covered? Suggest a program for inclusion. Has your software been featured on LinuxLinks? Display one of our Featured on LinuxLinks badges on your website or GitHub README. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.