Good encryption software for Ubuntu

[pradeep1]

Back in my Windows days, I used good old PGP to conventionally encrypt my personal files on my computer and to archive them away. I've come on over to Linux and the PGP program available on Linux actually requires you to use the public/private key paradigm on PGP to share files. So I have to create a private/public keyring and all when sharing files between myself and my cohorts who are using Windows systems.

Is there an equivalent encryption software available for Linux that allows one to encrypt files as needed without having to go through the public key crypto model? I am looking for something that will allow me to encrypt certain files using strong crypto (AES, Blowfish, etc.) locally, and then email those files to a Windows user who can then decrypt those files using a generally available program (like conventional PGP for Windows).

 

[sourceninja]

Check out truecrypt.

 

[Nothinman]

Or cryptsetup/dmcrypt or ecryptfs to create an encrypted filesystem.

 

[pradeep1]

Don't these programs require you to create an encrypted filesystem or volume? I just need to be able to quickly and transferrable encrypt individual files on my machine.

 

[sourceninja]

Well then, you are left with gpg ( http://www.gnupg.org/ )

 

[Nothinman]

Or password protected zip files, I believe most Zip tools offer AES encryption these days.

 

[sourceninja]

Or password protected zip files, I believe most Zip tools offer AES encryption these days.

I consider zip to be basically a container for files.

 

[Nothinman]

I consider zip to be basically a container for files.

Yes, and it's a container that supports encryption and has tools that most people are already familiar with.

 

[pradeep1]

Excellent suggestions guys, I'll check them out.

 

[sourceninja]

Yes, and it's a container that supports encryption and has tools that most people are already familiar with.

Yea, just pointing out that a zip is similar in function to a true crypt container in many ways ( except for more built in support ).

 

[pradeep1]

Yea, just pointing out that a zip is similar in function to a true crypt container in many ways ( except for more built in support ).

Does Truecrypt work like zip, in that I can create a container, drop files in there, encrypt them, and then email them to Windows users who can easily extract the files? When I was using PGP on Windows, I'd create self-decrypting archive files which are executable and I could email the file and then call them up and give them the passcode over the phone. They'd just double click on the file and enter the password and it would neatly put a decrypted copy in their folder without them having to install any additional software, etc. on their machines.

Anything of that simplicity in Linux?

 

[sourceninja]

If the windows user has truecrypt installed then yes. YOu can create a container, drop files on it and email it to the user.

Zip would be easier in this case. I was just pointing out that if you don't want to use containers then zip is not a good solution. In the use case you described, I would probably go with zips.

Where truecrypt really shines is in a portable container that you plan to update/change files frequently in.

 

[pradeep1]

If the windows user has truecrypt installed then yes. YOu can create a container, drop files on it and email it to the user.

Zip would be easier in this case. I was just pointing out that if you don't want to use containers then zip is not a good solution. In the use case you described, I would probably go with zips.

Where truecrypt really shines is in a portable container that you plan to update/change files frequently in.

Thanks for the great info!