Using Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) for Email and File Security What is PGP?
Encryption can be defined as the altering of information so that only someone knowing the appropriate secret can obtain the original information. PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is a digital data encryption program created by Phil Zimmermann, a special director of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR) from 1997-2000. He created PGP to promote awareness of the privacy issue in a digital age. Protecting one's privacy is nothing new, however, it has become more urgent due to the ease in which data can be accessed, intercepted and monitored. It is not unusual for sensitive information, whether stored or transmitted in its digital form, to become public knowledge.
People will often mark an envelope 'confidential' before sending it through the campus mail in an effort to keep the information from being read by unintended parties. But when storing or sending information in electronic forms, people do not take any precautionary steps to ensure the confidentiality or authenticity of the data. Not many people think about social security numbers, budget information, passwords, private correspondence or other sensitive information from being intercepted or read by someone who was not the intended recipient. PGP offers a user-friendly graphical interface that allows a person to protect their private information.
CSRT highly recommends the use of encryption software for protecting sensitive and private data. This tutorial will walk you through downloading the software, installing, configuring and using PGP on your desktop. After this tutorial you will have a basic understanding of PGP and be able to protect your privacy. To become a power user of PGP, we recommend you invest some time in reading the Manual that accompanies the program.
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