Using PGP Encryption Desktop PGP Zip for Windows (2024)

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Using PGP Encryption Desktop PGP Zip for Windows - How to Encrypt Files (Symantec Encryption Desktop)

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Article ID: 171500

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Encryption Management Server PGP Command Line PGP Key Management Server PGP Key Mgmt Client Access and CLI API PGP SDK Desktop Email Encryption Desktop Email Encryption Drive Encryption Endpoint Encryption File Share Encryption Gateway Email Encryption

Issue/Introduction

Use PGP Encryption Desktop's PGP Zip to create, open and edit encrypted and compressed packages, called PGP Zip archives.

A PGP Zip Archive package is a single file that is encrypted and compressed for convenient transport or backup. These archive files can hold any combination of files and/or folders and are especially convenient for secure transport or backup.

In an environment managed by a PGP Encryption Server, PGP Zip can be enabled or disabled through Consumer Policy.

Resolution

Use the PGP Zip Assistant to create new PGP Zip Archive packages. The Assistant guides you through the process of selecting the files and/or folders for your archive and the method of encryption or packaging. The options are as follows:

  • Encrypting and packaging your files and/or folders using the PGP keys of one or more recipients (recipients must have Encryption Desktop on their computers).
  • Encrypting and packaging your files and/or folders using a passphrase (recipients must have Encryption Desktop on their computers).
  • Encrypting and packaging your files and/or folders into a self-decrypting archive (PGP Zip SDA) that is protected by a passphrase (recipients do not need Encryption Desktop but the recipient's computer must be running Microsoft Windows).
  • No encryption and no packaging, but a file is created that you can send to your recipients to verify that you are the person who sent the file.

Creating PGP Zip Archives

To create a PGP Zip archive:

  1. Click the PGP Zip Control box and then click New PGP Zip. The PGP Zip Assistant is displayed.
  2. Do any of the following:
  • Drag and drop your files into the area specified in the assistant.
  • To add an entire directory to the PGP Zip archive you are creating, click Add directory.
  • To add a file to the PGP Zip archive you are creating, clickAdd files.
  • To remove a file or directory from the PGP Zip archive you are creating, click Remove selected files.
  • To select additional options for the PGP Zip file that you are creating, click PGP Zip advanced options. The default settings are fine for most users.
  1. To securely delete the original files once the PGP Zip Archive is created, select Send original files to PGP Shredder when finished.

    Caution: If you choose to send the original files to PGP Shredder once the PGP Zip Archive is created, you cannot retrieve your files later - not even with a file recovery utility. Your files are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Use care when selecting this option.

  2. To specify special options, click PGP Zip advanced options:
  • To create separate encrypted files rather than one PGP Zip Archive package that contains all files in a single encrypted file, select Do not Zip (output files individually).
  • To create zip archives of only text files, select Convert linefeeds for text files.
  • If you are using an older email application, to email the zip archive as a binary file, select Output Text. Saving the file as ASCII text increases the size of the encrypted file by about 30%. This option is not available when you are using Encryption Desktop in an environment managed by Encryption Management Server.
  • To save the PGP Zip Option settings so you can use them in the future, select Remember these settings next time.
  • Click OK when you are done selecting special options. Click Cancel if you choose not to change any of these options.

    The New PGP Zip dialog box displays again.

  1. When you have finished selecting files for your PGP Zip Archive, click Next.
  2. Select the desired type of encryption and click Next.

    Tip: Move your cursor over each option to view more details in the information field below the option list.

  • Recipient keys - Creates a PGP Zip Archive by encrypting the files to the public keys of the recipient(s), ensuring that only those recipients can use Encryption Desktop to open the archive. This is the most secure option.
  • Passphrase - Creates a PGP Zip Archive by encrypting the files with a passphrase you specify when saving the archive. Only those persons who know the passphrase and who are using Encryption Desktop can open the archive.
  • PGP Self-Decrypting Archive - Creates a PGP Self-Decrypting Archive with a passphrase you specify when saving the archive. PGP Encryption Desktop is not required when decrypting a PGP Self-Decrypting Archive but recipients must be using a computer running Microsoft Windows if you are generating the SDA on Windows. If you use PGP Command Line, multiple OS platforms can be specified. See the following articles for more information:

    153684 - Creating a Self Decrypting Archive with PGP Encryption Desktop for Windows (Symantec Encryption Desktop)
    153243 - Creating a Self Decrypting Archive with PGP Command Line (Self-Decrypting Archives - SDAs)

  • Sign Only - Adds your PGP signature to an unencrypted zip file. Your recipient(s) can then open the zip archive using Encryption Desktop, and the included signature verifies that the zip archive came from you and has not been modified in transit.
  1. Click Next. The sign-only PGP Zip Archive is created.
  2. Click Finish

Additional Information

153684 - Creating a Self Decrypting Archive with PGP Encryption Desktop for Windows (Symantec Encryption Desktop)
153243 - Creating a Self Decrypting Archive with PGP Command Line (Self-Decrypting Archives - SDAs)
171500 - Using PGP Encryption Desktop PGP Zip for Windows - How to Encrypt Files (Symantec Encryption Desktop)

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Using PGP Encryption Desktop PGP Zip for Windows (2024)

FAQs

How do I encrypt a PGP file in Windows? ›

Encrypt a file using key encryption
  1. Right click on a file or folder.
  2. Point to PGP Zip and click Encrypt.
  3. Click and drag the desired recipient keys from your key list to the Recipients box below and click OK.
Jan 22, 2024

Can you PGP encrypt a zip file? ›

Passphrase - Creates a PGP Zip Archive by encrypting the files with a passphrase you specify when saving the archive. Only those persons who know the passphrase and who are using Encryption Desktop can open the archive.

Does anyone still use PGP? ›

Yes, PGP encryption is still used and is considered an industry standard for protecting sensitive information. Both commercial and free, open-source implementations of PGP are available. Commercial solutions offer technical support that may be lacking in freeware tools.

Is PGP desktop free? ›

PGP Desktop is available for free only during its 30-day trial period. Once installed, you can use the application and all its features without making any purchase.

How do I import a PGP key into Windows? ›

Drag and Drop Method
  1. Open Symantec Encryption Desktop.
  2. Click the PGP Keys Control box to display a list of keys in the right pane.
  3. Drag the . asc file containing the public key to the PGP Keys window.
  4. Click Import. The key is then added to your keyring.
Jan 22, 2024

How do I install PGP on Windows 10? ›

To Install on Windows
  1. Close all Windows applications.
  2. Download the zip file PGPCommandLine*. zip, to a known location on your system.
  3. Unzip the file and the *. ...
  4. Open a command prompt as a local administrator.
  5. Install using msiexec. ...
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  7. If prompted, restart your machine.
Mar 15, 2024

Is it safe to encrypt a zip file? ›

Unfortunately, this simple compression technology lacks basic security. As such, there is a risk of compromise or misuse even when sharing files between known parties. One way to strengthen security of Zip files is by password-protecting them, in the same way you can password-protect PDF files or other documents.

How to generate a pgp key on Windows? ›

Generate A Key Pair
  1. Open a command shell or DOS prompt.
  2. On the command line, enter: pgp --gen-key [user ID] --key-type [key type] --bits [bits #] --passphrase [passphrase] ...
  3. Press "Enter" when the command is complete. ...
  4. PGP Command line will now generate your keypair. ...
  5. To display your new keypair enter the following command:
Jan 31, 2024

Is PGP good for file encryption? ›

PGP is generally considered more secure than symmetric encryption. Even if the channel transmitting the files becomes compromised, the private keys and files remain safe. Similarly, they are safe if the channel used to share public keys is compromised.

What replaced PGP? ›

Virtru End-to-End Encryption –Better than Pretty Good

Virtru overcomes inherent weaknesses in PGP and S/MIME and represents the next generation of end-to-end encryption. “Virtru offers encryption as secure as PGP but makes it easy enough that our end users, customers and partners can use it regularly.”

What is better than PGP encryption? ›

AES is fast and works best in closed systems and large databases; PGP should be used when sharing information across an open network, but it can be slower and works better for individual files.

Does Windows support PGP? ›

Microsoft does not natively support Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) encryption like Gmail does. PGP is a type of email encryption that uses a combination of symmetric and asymmetric encryption to secure email messages. It is an open-source encryption standard that is widely used for encrypting email messages and files.

Has PGP been cracked? ›

Is PGP Encryption Secure? PGP encryption is almost impossible to hack. That's why it's still used by entities that send and receive sensitive information, such as journalists and hacktivists. Though PGP encryption cannot be hacked, OpenPGP does have a vulnerability that disrupts PGP encrypted messages when exploited.

What is the price of PGP software? ›

FileAssurity Lite Open PGP Encryption
FileAssurity Lite Open PGP Encryption PGP compatible file encryption software
Open PGP Encryption$65
Open PGP Encryption + 1 year support$115
2 more rows

How do I create a PGP encryption? ›

Generate A Key Pair
  1. Open a command shell or DOS prompt.
  2. On the command line, enter: pgp --gen-key [user ID] --key-type [key type] --bits [bits #] --passphrase [passphrase] ...
  3. Press "Enter" when the command is complete. ...
  4. PGP Command line will now generate your keypair. ...
  5. To display your new keypair enter the following command:
Jan 31, 2024

How do I protect my PGP private key? ›

What is the most secure way to store my private PGP keys? The safest place to store a PGP key is on your computer. If you put it on a USB device, you might lose it. If you use a password manager, you might forget the password for your password manager or your computer might break then you lose all your passwords.

How to encrypt a file using cmd? ›

In Command Prompt, navigate to the directory where the files or folders you want to encrypt are located using the 'cd' command. Once in the desired directory, enter the following command: 'cipher /e [filename or folder name]'. Press Enter to initiate the encryption process.

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