GPG Simple Usage Guide

gpg_guide.md

Define config for quick generation

gpg --default-new-key-algo "ed25519/cert,sign+cv25519/encr" --quick-generate-key "[email protected]"

Generate key

gpg --gen-key

• Set realname: Name Surname
• Set eamil: [email protected]
• Set strong password

List keys

gpg --list-keys

Remove key from keyring

First, you need to delete secret key, than public

gpg --delete-secret-keys {PUBLIC_KEY}
gpg --delete-keys {PUBLIC_KEY}

Export keys to file

gpg --output /path/to/keys/public.pgp --armor --export {PUBLIC_KEY}
gpg --output /path/to/keys/private.pgp --armor --export-secret-key {PUBLIC_KEY}

Backup keys

gpg --output backupkeys.pgp --armor --export-secret-keys --export-options export-backup
This will export all necessary information to restore the secrets keys including the trust database information. Make sure you store any backup secret keys off the computing platform and in a secure physical location.

Import keys

gpg --import private.gpg
As public key generated from private, you don't need to import public.gpg

Sign file

gpg -s myfile.txt

Encrypt file

gpg -e myfile.txt\

• Enter your public key or email OR recipient (friend, college or otherwise) public key. If you want to encrypt file to your friend by email, you should add them public keys to your keyring gpg --import friend_public.gpg
• Enter empty line
• Done

Encrypt to custom file:
gpg --output mysecretfile.txt -e myfile.txt

Decrypt file

To read contents:
gpg -d myfile.txt.gpg
To decrypt to file
gpg --output myfile.txt -d myfile.txt.gpg