A Guide to PGP Encryption By Data Recovery
Labs
Did you know that if you transmit information online using a form or through a
secure e-mail you were probably using PGP.
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) is a type of software program that many online
businesses use to
encrypt and de-encrypt various types of personal data being transferred. The
PGP software is installed on the receiving computers at the business which
allows the business only to view the information. If the e-mail or form is
intercepted by someone other than the business, they will not have the
PGP key needed to de-encrypt the secure data.
PGP software was created in 1991 by Phillip Zimmerman. The
software was developed by Zimmerman as a way to send and store data using
the Internet. In simple terms here is how PGP encryption works. A visitor to a
business site goes to a form that will be used to send information. Many times
this would be a form going to customer service to solve a problem, and customers
need to provide account or personal information. Since the information being
transmitted is many times personal,
financial information (i.e.
date of birth, social security number, account numbers, etc…) it is critical
that this data is secure. The form is completed and encrypted before it is sent
creating a digital signature. When the business receives the information, they
have software which will unlock
the digital signature and enable the form to be read.
A variety of businesses utilize
PGP software during normal operation. Some online uses include merchant
sites, live chat services, customer service sites, online financial service
transactions and many other uses. One of the ways to tell if a site is using
security software, such as PGP, is by viewing the URL of the site. If the
address starts with https, then it is a secured connection. In addition, if a
site is secured, you will generally see a lock in either the URL bar or on the
bottom of the page. When conducting business, you must be certain that these two
items exist before submit personal, financial information. If you have any
doubts about whether or not it is secured, ask first.
There are many
resources available on Pretty Good Privacy software, and businesses and
individuals can acquire the needed software, either as freeware or by purchase.
Data
recovery service is available for encrypted
hard
drive recovery.
PGP Tutorial –
a beginner’s guide to using PGP
Pretty Good Privacy Information – information on PGP
History of PGP – resourceful PDF on the history of PGP.
PGP software
- resource on available PGP software
Data Recovery - resource on system
encryption recovery
Raid Recovery
- resource on encrypted raid recovery
Cryptography – information on how information is secured
Phillip Zimmerman – excerpt from original PGP Users Guide
PGP Software has been around for nearly twenty years and has undergone several
changes and upgrades through the years. It continues to play an important role
in the security of our data, today and in the future.
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