encryptioncryptographygnupgpgp

PGP encryption algor

I'm learning in detail how PGP system works but there are somethings that are not said everywhere I tried to look about it ;

According to this Wikipedia diagram:

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When we are encrypting, we use the Data and a Random key then we have the protected data ( the one with locket ). Here's the first problem, how are these data crypted ? Which algorithm has been used ?

My second problem is at the last encryption ; Locket data + Locket key = Encrypted message Same thing here, how ? What did they used ?

Also, I read that somewhere, they are hashing the whole data so you can't change it or it will break everything, but when do they do that ?

Thanks in advance !

Solution

  • So your questions are:

    1. How are the data and random key encrypted and which algorithm was used.
    2. What algorithm was used to get an encrypted message from locket data + locket key.

    The message digest algorithm now used in PGP (Version 5.0 and later) is called SHA, which stands for Secure Hash Algorithm, designed by the NSA for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). SHA is a 160-bit hash algorithm.

    That should answer both your questions. Also checkout this pdf

    SHA256 is actaully used in bitcoin, funny how things are related. I remember there used to be free PGP downloads to play around with but sadly PGP is a symantec product now, progres....