PGP Encryption

[dantheinfoman]

Hi All,

I've been reading up on what PGP encryption is, but most forums have outdated/broken links, so I don't know how to download required 3rd party programs nor the VFP classes or files needed to explore PGP encryption. Does anyone have any dropbox or web links and/or info on this elusive topic?

Thank you for your time!!

Dan

 

[Dan Freeman]

When you encounter many broken links it probably means it's something people used to do but not so much any more.

 

[dantheinfoman]

Hi Danfreeman,

Thanks for your reply. So true! Unfortunately, my work requires me to use this type of encryption for an upcoming project. I'll have to figure it out some way.

Thanks!
Dan

 

[Olaf Doschke]

See

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Good_Privacy

Do you want PGP or OpenPGP?
PGP was bought by Symantec, but the thing itself is well alive.

Bye, Olaf.

 

[dantheinfoman]

Hi Olaf,

I think I'll need to open encrypted files as well as encrypt them for submission/billing etc, so I believe the answer is both PGP and OpenPGP.

I will read the wiki tomorrow. I've read that the product by Symantec will allow you to encrypt using VFP even after the 30 day trial and you can use it as freeware or something, nobody's clear on procedurally how this happens.

Yours,

Dan

 

[JRB-Bldr]

A while back I was required to repeatedly do a PGP encryption of a file for a customer.

However when I attempted to do it I got totally lost in the PGP process.
So someone suggested that I look into GPG (which if Free & I was told is fully compatible).

https://www.gpg4win.org/

I did it and the customer was happy. So it must have been compatible since they were using PGP decryption on their end.

As Dave Summers commented previously, I used the Brute Force method, but it turned out to not be too difficult.
You can look at my previous posting about it:

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1604151

And Mike Lewis used to have some info at:

http://www.ml-consult.demon.co.uk/foxst-26.htm

If you try it out and run into difficulties, come back and I'll share some code.

Good Luck,
JRB-Bldr

 

[dantheinfoman]

Hi JRB-Bldr,

lol, I just read your article about an hour ago and couldn't figure out how to get in touch with you. I then downloaded gpg4win, but couldn't figure out how to get some test keys for myself or others?! I have not yet seen Mike Lewis' article, so I thank you and I will take a gander at it and will reply back later after some more due diligence if I still am completely stumped. Very glad to hear from you!

Thanks!

Dan

 

[Mike Lewis]

JRB-Bldr,

The link you (kindly) posted to my page changed about ten years ago. The new link is

http://www.ml-consult.co.uk/foxst-26.htm.

I'm flattered that you chose to keep the link for so long.

Mike

__________________________________
Mike Lewis (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Visual FoxPro articles, tips and downloads

 

[JRB-Bldr]

You will need to generate your own GPG Phrase and Keys.

You might want to look at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-FyJXUxVQ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDGpQlAU4PM

Also the YouTube sidebar has other videos on setting up GPG.

Good Luck,
JRB-Bldr

 

[dantheinfoman]

These YouTube videos are EXTREMELY helpful, thanks! Also, the shell command thing is going to be very helpful also. Thanks again!

I was able to manually run a command and then was able to create a batch file for the same and it Encrypted it!!

cd c:\testdrive
gpg --recipient testemail@gmail.com --encrypt testfile.txt

I'm very excited as I'm sure I can figure out how to create this batch file and run it using the referred Shell command! My only question for the moment is can someone using Symantec's PGP program be able to decrypt my GPG file, since they are slightly different extensions, wasn't sure if it's identical encryption that works the same for both parties.

The company we'll be submitting files to wanted PGP, not necesarily GPG. Hopefully they are cross compatible and one just happens to be Free (GPG).

Yours

Dan

 

[JRB-Bldr]

GPG is supposed to be 100% compatible with PGP.

I wouldn't mention to the recipient that you are using GPG instead of PGP. See if they notice.
If not, then you are Good to Go.

Good Luck,
JRB-Bldr

 

[dantheinfoman]

Thanks JRB-Bldr,

I already asked them, however they said they can use anything that is OpenPGP compliant, so we believe it will work. The youtube videos mentioned that it's basically the same also.

Ps. I've been able to make a batch file which runs the encryption successfully. The last piece of the puzzle is to figure out how to take file1.txt, file2.txt and file3.txt and shove them into a zip file and then ENCRYPT just the zip file.

Thoughts??

Thanks for everything!!!

Dan

 

[JRB-Bldr]

Typically I'd say - post that new question as a separate thread

But you might want to look at:

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1284772

or

http://www.sweetpotatosoftware.com/SPSBlog/PermaLink,guid,b5fdd81c-4d47-469b-acbb-ddda807adacc.aspx

I guess you need to find out if your recipient wants:
* the individual files encrypted and then put into a non-encrypted ZIP file
* Or the individual files in non-encrypted format put into an encrypted ZIP file
* Or Both.

Regardless, for the GPG encryption, a file is just a file - regardless of its format.
So now that you know the GPG encryption process you can do it on any file - even the ZIP file.

Good Luck,
JRB-Bldr