How To Create Private and Public Keys Using GPG4win

[greeppl]

A PRIVATE KEY is used to decrypt and PUBLIC key is used to encrypt data

[Danghor]

usually others use your public key to encrypt data before sending it to you and you can decrypt it with your private key

[kathyannc8]

i'm confused when you email someone the public key, isn't that email itself not encrypted and someone could then intercept the public key?

[interpayroll]

@kathyannc8

Yes in theory you are correct- the email containing the public key will not be a secure email. However in order for a hijacker to decrypt any of your emails they will first need a copy of the key, and then intercept future emails encrypted with that private key- very rare.

It is important to note here that in the world of technology nothing is 100% secure. However as far as email communication is concerned, this is the most secure method currently available

We hope this helps.

[interpayroll]

@kathyannc8

It is also worth pointing out that there are other secure methods of sending your public key to your recipients; such as SFTP or flash drive.

Kind Regards,

Inter Payroll