Using FAOPGP

Protecting (encrypting & digitally signing) Files using Windows Explorer

You can choose whether you want to encrypt files, sign files, or both by selecting either just an encryption key, just a signing key, or selecting both types of key. If 'Not Selected' is displayed in either of the pull-down list boxes then that function will not be carried out.  

NOTE: Files do not have to be signed in order to be encrypted and vice versa.

Files may be protected for individuals, multiple recipients or groups.


 Protecting Files

1.  Highlight the appropriate files/folders in Windows Explorer.

2.  Right-click and select FileAssurity OpenPGP > Protect from the pop-up menu.



The following dialog will be displayed :



3.  Select the appropriate encryption and/or signing key from the ‘Encrypt For’ and ‘Sign As’ drop-down list boxes. If you want to encrypt files for yourself choose a key that belongs to you. If you want to encrypt files for other people then choose one of their keys (the files will automatically be encrypted for you too).  The 'Sign As' list box will only ever display keys that belong to you because you cannot sign files on behalf of others.

You can encrypt files for multiple recipients by selecting multiple users from the 'Encrypt For' drop-down list box. Hold down the CTRL or SHIFT key whilst selecting user names in order to highlight them.

Multiple Recipients selection

Click once you have made your selection.

NOTE: It does not matter if you do not include one of your own keys in the list as files will automatically be encrypted for you too using your Default key.

If you want to protect the files into a single file (zip archive) then check the 'Archive' check box.  See archiving files for more information.

If you want FAOPGP to automatically email the files after they have been protected then check the 'E-mail' check box.  On pressing the Protect button, FAOPGP will automatically open the default email client with the protected files attached and the email address(es) already filled in. If the e-mail box is checked the 'Secure note' check box becomes available which you can check to create secure message text. See E-mailing Files Securely.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you want to encrypt files for other people then they must generate a key on their computer using their copy of FAOPGP (or FAOPGP Reader) and send it to you.  You can then import this key into Key Manager so it will become available for selection from the 'Encrypt For' drop-down list box.  You cannot generate keys on behalf of others because when you export a key, only the public part of the key (used for encryption and signature verification) is exported.  The private part of the key (used for decryption and signing) never leaves the computer.

4.  Press the PROTECT button Secure button

Your files are encrypted/signed and saved to the folder selected in the 'Default Settings' dialog using the same name as the original file but with a .pgp or .asc extension.