How to use GPG for myself on Thumb drive?


 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Top Forums UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers How to use GPG for myself on Thumb drive?
# 1  
Old 10-22-2008
How to use GPG for myself on Thumb drive?

I have some sensitive data I would like to keep on a thumb drive.

Now I know this is a UNIX/Linux forum and I regret to say that I'm using windows but I'm hoping that is irrelevant.

So I install gpg on both windows machines: one at home and the other at work.

I encrypt some stuff on the home machine, export the keys and go to work and import the keys. No errors. But then I try to decrypt the data file and no luck: it did not even prompt me for my passphrase!
What do I have to do to be able to read my encrypted file at work?

Also: should I be concerned about piping the decrypted output from gpg to a hard drive where someone at the recycling center could eventually scavenge the disk. I was going to pipe it to the thumb drive but then I realized if I ever lost my thumb drive, someone could scavenge the decrypted deleted file?

So what can I do? Have a special thumb drive just for holding the deleted and decrypted data that I eventually destroy? Or maybe one cannot scavenge flash memory?

Thanks,
Siegfried
# 2  
Old 10-22-2008
Never used it on windows, but if you are on the command line like when using it under Linux/Unix, can't you just give it some switch like -v to get some more verbose output so it tells you what it dislikes?
IIRC, after exporting and importing keys, they have somewhere in that process to be signed before usage.

Has good documentation and FAQ etc.:
The GNU Privacy Guard - GnuPG.org

Before giving the harddisk to the recycling center, check for a software that just overwrites the stuff with zeroes or something that has been there when you don't need it anymore or show it the 5kg hammer Smilie
# 3  
Old 10-22-2008
I do this all the time. I just use:
gpg -e --cipher-algo AES-256 plaintext.file
to encrypt a file. I don't have any key files nor gpg config files. It just prompts me for a passphrase and I use a multi-word phase.

to decrypt I just use:
gpg encrypted.file

and again I get prompted for a passphrase. This can move files around between linux and xp. It works for Solaris 10 too. I have not yet been able to mount a thumb drive on Solaris 8 though.

Any of those disk scrubbing program is adequate in my opinion. But I like to take old disk drives apart. I get a handful of screws and a few jumpers and those really cool magnets. I have not yet retired a thumb drive, but I would probably do the disk scubber followed by just breaking it up.

Also, take a look at: www.ironkey.com
The company I work for rejected it because it is only AES-128 but I think that was too paranoid.
 
Login or Register to Ask a Question

Previous Thread | Next Thread

9 More Discussions You Might Find Interesting

1. Shell Programming and Scripting

PL/SQL stored proc from ksh just inserts thumb and does nothing

Greeting everyone. Ok, I have spent the past few days googling for this and I keep hitting a wall. Many results brought me here, but the solutions were not quite right for this. Basically my script (ksh) is run with an arg for a csv. My script so far appears to be storing the values from my... (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: dezdiggler
4 Replies

2. UNIX and Linux Applications

Using gpg

I am trying to use gig in linux but it is hanging. $ gpg --passphrase=test /tmp/test.sh Reading passphrase from file descriptor 0 ... When i press enter, it gives the below message: $ gpg --passphrase=test /tmp/test.sh Reading passphrase from file descriptor 0 ... gpg: no valid... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: tcssk
1 Replies

3. Shell Programming and Scripting

Need help on File Encryption using gpg

Folks, Is there anyone to help on GPG file encryptions here. I got a public key from third party. I imported the key in server. I want to encrypt the public key. But without being signed , the key cannot be encrypted. When I try to sign the key using lsign command, I am getting the below... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: dinesh1985
1 Replies

4. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

How to move a directory from thumb drive to mac?

I do some scripting during lunch on the macbookpro at work. I have the necessary folders on a thumb drive from my mac at home, and move them with the mv command to the mbpro so I don't have to change the script itself to access the necessary files on the thumb drive, and then change the code again... (13 Replies)
Discussion started by: Straitsfan
13 Replies

5. Solaris

Rule of the thumb for swap?

Hi, The general rule of thumb for assigning swap is double the RAM of the server, however, there are servers with 16GB or 32GB of RAM. Are we suppose to put aside 32GB and 64GB of swap respectively. Thanks (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: Mack1982
4 Replies

6. Shell Programming and Scripting

Cannot see GPG installation

Hello all I have installed gpg key be executing command gpg --gen-key and followed the on screen prompts. I have done all this stuff from my home directory Now i am unable to see the results. Where are these keys stored. Doesn't it create a new folder in my home directory and create the... (1 Reply)
Discussion started by: vasuarjula
1 Replies

7. SCO

Occasional Core Dump with hot swap USB Thumb Drive

Hello Unix World, I've been having this issue for the longest time. Here is my setup OS: SCO OpenServer 6.0 with mp4, mp3 Server: Dell PowerEdge 840, 800, 2900 USB Stick: Patriot 16GB High Speed, and many other different brands. Occasinaly while system is running and USB is pluged in the... (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: miles556
0 Replies

8. UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Gpg

Hi, I have imported the details given by my friend using gpg --import <file> Now i am using the encryption technique with my friend's key in the following way: gpg --output out.pgp --batch --encrypt --recipient "FRIEND_KEY" test and i am getting the follwoing error: gpg: 421E287E:... (4 Replies)
Discussion started by: risshanth
4 Replies

9. What is on Your Mind?

USB Thumb Drives

I'm hunting around for thumb drives that aren't working. Something you may have kicking around in a drawer that you don't need any more. One you've upgraded and just don't need. I'm willing to pay a couple bucks for you to drop it into an envelope with a few stamps and send it along. I'm... (0 Replies)
Discussion started by: BOFH
0 Replies
Login or Register to Ask a Question