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How To Encrypt Text Only Messages (not email)

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Schneur

24 Jul, 2012 01:58 PM

Hi, I have a mac osx and I'm trying to use GPGtools to encrypt non-email text messages, such as one might send over an online forum in a 'private message' style. I get how to encrypt text in text edit, but then I'm left with a file when what I really need is just text. Can anyone help with this?

Also, I'm still a bit confused on how it would work even if I can figure out encrypting text. I send someone a message using their public key, and then they use their secret key to decode it?

Thank you very much!

1. Support Staff 1 Posted by Steve on 24 Jul, 2012 03:15 PM

   

   Hey Scheuer,

   sounds like you are new to encryption. Not a problem. As an entry, let me suggest you read our quick start guide: http://support.gpgtools.org/kb/how-to/first-steps-where-do-i-start-...

   That explains how mail encryption is working. In the (too fast) tutorial video, you can also see, how GPGServices are used.

   Encrypting text is simply. After http://support.gpgtools.org/kb/faq/how-do-i-activate-gpgservices activating the GPGServices you should be able to do that via right-click and services-menu.

   Hope this helps :)
   steve

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2. 2 Posted by Schneur on 26 Jul, 2012 07:15 PM

   

   Follow up question: how do I import a public key also just from text? I have the GPG services activated, but when I highlighted a pgp public code and tried to import it I got:
   Import failed!
   Code = 0

   Thanks!

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3. 3 Posted by John on 27 Jul, 2012 09:27 AM

   

   Hello Schneur,

   I am new to this as well and have Mac OS X 10.5.8 on macbook.  After reading the tutorials, I cannot seem to access the services under the keyboard shortcuts in order to activate. Do I not have the proper software to do this?
   

   Thanks a bunch!

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4. Support Staff 4 Posted by Steve on 27 Jul, 2012 03:41 PM

   

   Hi Schneur,

   Could you please visit http://nightly.gpgtools.org/ and download the latest GPGTools_Installer-trunk.dmg file.

   Run that on your system and see if the problem persists.

   @John: Not sure I understand your input. Do you have a question?

   All the best,
   steve

   ---

   Please consider a donation. We do all this in our spare time.

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5. Support Staff 5 Posted by Steve on 27 Jul, 2012 03:47 PM

   

   @John if you are looking for GPGServices under 10.5 I have rather bad news. GPGServices is >=10.6 only currently.

   Any chance you could update your system?

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6. Support Staff 6 Posted by Steve on 15 Aug, 2012 08:54 AM

   

   No further user feedback. Closing.

   @all: Should your problem persist, feel free to re-open this discussion any time.

   All the best,
   steve

   ---

   Please consider a donation. We do all this in our spare time.

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7. Steve closed this discussion on 15 Aug, 2012 08:54 AM.