GPG Encryption

Files.com site administrators can enable GPG encryption on a per-folder basis.

Enabling GPG encryption for a particular folder also means that files uploaded to any subfolders within that folder will be automatically encrypted unless you explicitly disable the folder setting on a subfolder.

GPG encryption requires a GPG/PGP key pair. You can generate this GPG/PGP key pair using the GPG Key Manager or by using the appropriate GPG software for your operating system; see our steps for Windows, MacOS and Linux.

You can use a different pair of public and private keys for each folder you enable encryption on.

Every file uploaded to this folder or its subfolders will now be encrypted using the selected public key.

When enabling GPG encryption on a folder, files that were uploaded to the folder prior to enabling the setting will not be automatically encrypted. You can re-upload those files to have GPG encryption applied to them.

Using a Pre-Existing Key From the GPG Key Manager

In the folder where you would like to enable GPG encryption, click on the Folder Settings button.

Expand the GPG encryption/decryption section.

Select the Yes, use GPG encryption on all files in this folder and its sub-folders option.

Within the Auto encryption section, enter a file suffix into the Suffix text box. This suffix will be appended to the original file name. For example, .gpg or .pgp.

Select a key from the presented list.

Choose the preferred Output format. Binary format is the default but you can also select ASCII Armor if you require text encoding instead.

Providing Your Own Key

In the folder where you would like to enable GPG encryption, click on the Folder Settings button.

Expand the GPG encryption/decryption section.

Select the Yes, use GPG encryption on all files in this folder and its sub-folders option.

Within the Auto encryption section, enter a file suffix into the Suffix text box. This suffix will be appended to the original file name. For example, .gpg or .pgp.

Select the Import from file... option.

Enter your full name or a notable name for this key or key pair.

Paste the Public Key into the Public Key text field, or use the Choose File button to upload the Public Key from a file on your computer.

Paste the Private Key into the Private Key text field, or use the Choose File button to upload the Private Key file from your computer. If the Private Key is protected with a passphrase, enter the passphrase for it. You can leave this option blank if there is no passphrase for the private key.

Choose the preferred Output format. Binary format is the default but you can also select ASCII Armor if you require text encoding instead.

Creating a New Key Pair

In the folder where you would like to enable GPG encryption, click on the Folder Settings button.

Expand the GPG encryption/decryption section.

Select the Yes, use GPG encryption on all files in this folder and its sub-folders option.

Within the Auto encryption section, enter a file suffix into the Suffix text box. This suffix will be appended to the original file name. For example, .gpg or .pgp.

Select the Create new... option.

Enter your full name, or a notable name for this key, and enter your email address.

If you'd like a passphrase for your new key, enter it. This is optional. You can leave this option blank if you wish to have no passphrase to protect the private key.

Select the Generate key pair button. You'll be able to view the public key before you continue to the next step. If you would like to keep a copy of the Public Key, select all of the text and copy it to a file.

Click Save GPG and then a popup window will appear showing the Private Key. Click Download Private Key to save the Private Key to your computer.

Once you've created the new key pair, you'll be returned to the Folder Settings panel.

Choose the preferred Output format. Binary format is the default but you can also select ASCII Armor if you require text encoding instead.

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