From TNPC issue #4.19...

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy): Part 3

by Dan Butler
September 26, 2001

PGP continues to be a popular topic. Here are a few more pointers for everyone interested. If you missed the first installments of the series find them here:
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/419/tr.cgi?dan1

There are two locations to download the free version of PGP. If you are inside the United States use the MIT site:
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/419/tr.cgi?dan2

Inside or outside the US you can download from PGP International:
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/419/tr.cgi?dan3

Just remember, the free version of the program is for non- commercial use only. Any other use requires the purchase of the commercial version.

If you are upgrading from the free version to a commercial version do not uninstall the freeware version first. Instead let the install of the commercial version handle the uninstall of the previous version and the migration of your data. This can save you many headaches. Also revisit my warnings on which parts of PGP to install, and which to avoid. Those warning were in the first article.

Now to the heart of this article: why I recommend PGP over other systems like certificates. When I research a system to recommend to others I look for what I call "universal procedures." Basically these are procedures that work the same no matter which application you are using. An example would be the simple shortcut keys for copy (Ctrl+C) and pasting (Crtl+V) data inside Windows. These work almost everywhere, including places where no menus or icons are present. Dialog boxes for instance.

So when I work with clients who need some encryption I always go to PGP. The first task is usually some encrypted email. Later they want to encrypt a file on their system. "Good news," I tell them, "just do the same thing you do when you encrypt email." Same keystrokes, same procedure. Had I chosen certificates or some other non-universal system I would be researching possibilities, explaining the benefits, and training my client how to use this new system. That may sound like a consultant's dream! But I prefer to teach my clients efficiency even though it generates fewer billable hours (read dollars) for me.

Next issue I'll give you a couple of practical ways to use PGP in your day to day computing routine.

You can reach Dan Butler at:
mailto:danbutler@TheNakedPC.com

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