What is PGP?


     PGP (that stands for "Pretty Good Privacy") is a unique encryption program
  that  uses  "asymmetric"  encryption  keys  which  allows  correspondents  to
  exchange  encryption  keys  that  could  be  sent  openly  -  via unprotected
  communication  channels.  Other  encryption  programs  that  use  traditional
  "symmetric"  encryption  keys  require that exchange of these encryption keys
  occurred  via secured channel - such as dispatching a diplomatic courier with
  a  yearly-stock of encryption pads from one correspondent to another. So, the
  greatest advantage of the PGP program is that tis users could send encryption
  keys  to  each  other via unsecured channels without any fear that these keys
  could  be intercepted by any adversary. Because possession of asymmetric keys
  by  such an adversary does not constitute any danger to the actual encryption
  provided by the PGP.

     Two  PGP  users  that  obtained  "public" parts of encryption keys of each
  other  could  use  these keys to securely encrypt electronic messages to each
  other.  Such  an encrypted message could only be decrypted by a correspondent
  whom  it  is  addressed  to,  because  only  he  (or she) possesses a second,
  "private"  part  of  the  encryption  key that will be used for decryption. A
  "private"  key,  in  its  turn,  is  encrypted  as well, and protected with a
  password,  so even if someone else gets unauthorized access to such a private
  key,  he would not be able to use it anyways. So, the main feature of the PGP
  programs  is that a user has his (or her) own unique encryption key, which is
  sub-divided  into  two  parts:  a  "public  key" which is to be sent to other
  correspondents and will be used by them to encrypt messages addressed to this
  user,  and  a  "private key" which is encrypted of itself, password-protected
  and   used   only   to   decrypt  personal  incoming  messages  encrypted  by
  corresponding "public key" from the same pair.

     PGP program is quite easy and convenient program. All you have to do is to
  install  it,  to  generate  your  own  key,  make  its backup copy (of both -
  "public"  and  "private"  parts  -  in  case  of crash or other loss), make a
  separate  file of its "public" part (aka "public key" of yours) and send this
  file to your correspondents from whom you wish to receive encrypted messages.
  Then you have to receive from your correspondents their "public keys" in form
  of  files,  save  them  somewhere securely for furhter keeping, and add these
  "public  keys"  of  others  to  your  PGP  program's  keys  storage  file (in
  traditional PGP terms called "keyring file"). Operation of saving your key(s)
  -  either  public  or  private,  or  both  at  once  - in PGP terms is called
  "exporting  of  a  key".  Operation of adding key(s) of others sent to you in
  separate   files   to  your  PGP  keys  storage  (aka  "keyring")  is  called
  "importation of a key".

     PGP  program  allows to encrypt/decrypt only text (clipboard with text) in
  either  E-mail  window,  or  ICQ (or other instant messenger window), or even
  that  in  a document file or other kind of text file (providing that the text
  it   plain,   not   formatted).   Besides   of  it,  PGP  program  allows  to
  encrypt/decrypt  entire files - irrespectively of their content - be it plain
  or  formatted  text files, graphic files, zip- or rar- archives, or any other
  files.  PGP  program  also  allows  to  "sign"  files using unique keys, and,
  correspondingly, verify "signatures" of such iles - so that no one else could
  modify  or  falsify such a "signed" file. Optionally, PGP program also allows
  to secrurely erase sensitive files and securely wipe empty space on drives.

     Besides  of  all,  PGP program allows to encrypt your own files for secure
  keeping.  You  can encrypt your files with your own "public" key and only you
  and  no  one else will be able to decrypt them, because only you possess your
  "private"  key  (always  used  for decryption) and only you know password for
  your "private" key.

     Free  versions  of  PGP  6.5.8 (Windows XP compatible) could be downloaded
  from official PGP website:

   http://www.pgpi.org/products/pgp/versions/freeware/win32/6.5.8/

     Free  versions  of  PGP 6.5.8ckt - which are much more advanced compare to
  original  version 6.5.8 (also Windows XP compatible) could be downloaded from
  this ftp server:

   ftp://ftp.zedz.net/pub/crypto/pgp/pgp60/pgp658_ckt/

     These  particular  Builds of PGP 6.5.8ckt shall be downloaded: 1) Build 08
  (since it is the last full version) and 2) updated Build 09b3. Build 08 shall
  be installed first, and Build 09b3 - on top of it.

     PGP versions 7.x are incompatible with Windows XP.

     Latest  commercial  versions  of PGP - 8.x and 9.x could be purchased from
  the official PGP website:
                               www.pgp.com

     However, considering that new commercial versions of PGP program are quite
  cumbersome,   difficult   to   use,   and   contain   a  lot  of  unnecessary
  functionalities,  it  is  highly recommended to use PGP 6.5.8ckt or PGP 6.5.8
  standard   freeware,   instead;   especially   for   a   simple   reason   of
  encrypting/signing  your  E-mail  or  other  sensitive  files  - as described
  above.