Protecting passwords with gpg

Gnu Privacy Guard

Generate a private/public key pair

gpg --gen-key

(Optional) Keyserver Registration

To enable someone to retrieve your public key without having to contact you directly.

Find the id/fingerprint

gpg --fingerprint <your name used in generation above>

id is 8 hex digit string after the / on the line starting with "pub" fingerprint is the 10 groups of 4 hex digits on the "fingerprint" line!

Register with a key server

There are many available. This example is at MIT

gpg --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --send-keys '<id>'
or
gpg --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --send-keys '<fingerprint>'

Either method works.

Decrypt a file using your (stored) private key

gpg --decrypt --output /tmp/<readable file> <encrypted file>
or
gpg -d -o /tmp/<readable file> <encrypted file>

List the public keys on your keyring

gpg --list-keys

List the private key on your keyring

gpg --list-secret-keys

Delete someones public key from your keyring

gpg --list-secret-keys

gpg --armor --output pubic_gpg_key.txt --export '<your name used in generation above>'