If you ever want to keep your electronic messages very private, using something called a ‘public-key cryptography’ is a good way to do it. The common implementation of this method is known as PGP, which stands for “pretty good privacy”. (it is better than just pretty good, but the original developer didn’t want to be over confident) The open source community has created the same functionality in their GnuPG (just GPG – GNU Privacy Guard) project. How it actually works is interesting (even though I don’t fully understand the nuts and bolts of it). It uses a two-part ‘key’. Part one of the key is yours only, and is to be kept safe and secure so only you can access it. It is called your private key. Part two of the key is published and given to anyone wishing to exchange messages with you. (they have a two-part key also)
The process to send an encrypted message to someone is:
- Type out your message in plain text.
- Use the GPG program, and your recipient’s public key to encrypt the text, which creates ciphertext.
- Copy the ciphertext into an email, instant message, or hand-written letter and send to your recipient.
To decode an encrypted message that someone sent to you:
- Copy the ciphertext into the GPG progam and use your private key to decrypt back to plain text.
Read more at Gnu Privacy Guard (GnuPG) Mini Howto.
Use Brian Gallimore’s public key to send me messages!
software for windows:
gpg4win (http://www.gpg4win.de)
portable PGP (http://ppgp.sf.net)
excellent tutorial of how cyrptography works, eventually getting to the public/private key method that PGP uses.
Gambling with Secrets: Part 1/8 (What is Cryptography?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lICOtR078Gw&feature=share&list=ECB4D701646DAF0817
Brian, I have and love my 2004 Chevy 2500 Silverado LT Crew Cab w/ quadrasteer. When I bought it 3 years ago, it had a bad pinion bearing and I paid a small fortune to have the rear end rebuilt. Now I find metal pieces on the bottom of the case while doing an fluid change. Another shop tells me the pinion shim has broken into 3 pieces and fell to the bottom of the case! They want another $2k to rebuild it! I want to keep my truck but if I’m going to have it rebuilt, it will be by someone that is an expert in what they are doing! All of this is to ask if you have any recommendations for and shops anywhere in the nation that could properly rebuild my rear end. I’m an ok weekend wrench turner but I don’t think I have the time or the experience to do this job properly. Thanks for any advice you can give. LA in Memphis