Encrypting a Message

Part of the Handbook · Main page chapters.

Last updated: July 2026

This guide covers encrypting a message so that only the intended recipient can read it.

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Encryption Steps

gpg --encrypt --armor --recipient email@example.com message.txt

• --encrypt - perform encryption
• --armor - output in ASCII armored format (text file)
• --recipient - specify the recipient's email

If you want to encrypt and sign (so the recipient knows it's from you):

gpg --encrypt --armor --sign --recipient email@example.com message.txt

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