{"id":148966,"date":"2021-01-06T11:00:13","date_gmt":"2021-01-06T08:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird\/"},"modified":"2021-01-06T11:00:13","modified_gmt":"2021-01-06T08:00:13","slug":"how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird\/","title":{"rendered":"#How to Use OpenPGP Encryption for Emails in Thunderbird"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a288aead1c45\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a288aead1c45\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird\/#Thunderbird_and_OpenPGP\" >Thunderbird and OpenPGP<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird\/#Checking_the_Thunderbird_Version\" >Checking the Thunderbird Version<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird\/#Generating_a_Key_Pair\" >Generating a Key Pair<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird\/#Exchanging_Public_Keys\" >Exchanging Public Keys<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird\/#Reading_Encrypted_Emails\" >Reading Encrypted Emails<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird\/#Keep_Your_Secrets_Well_Secret\" >Keep Your Secrets, Well, Secret<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>&#8220;#How to Use OpenPGP Encryption for Emails in Thunderbird&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_707772\" style=\"width: 650px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-707772 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/xemail-lock-icon.jpg.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.0h_Nm2ZZ-d.jpg\" alt=\"Email message and lock icons representing email encryption.\" width=\"650\" height=\"300\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-illustration\/internet-security-concept-251347987\" data-credittext=\"bluebay\/Shutterstock\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-illustration\/internet-security-concept-251347987\">bluebay\/Shutterstock<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Mozilla Thunderbird recently integrated OpenPGP right into the main <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>lication. No add-ons are needed for email privacy. OpenPGP\u2019s world-class encryption is easy to set up and use without additional software.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"thunderbird-and-openpgp\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Thunderbird_and_OpenPGP\"><\/span>Thunderbird and OpenPGP<br \/>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Version 78.2.1 of the\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thunderbird.net\/en-US\/\">Thunderbird<\/a>\u00a0email client has support for\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/End-to-end_encryption\">end-to-end encryption<\/a>\u00a0(e2ee) built right in. This integration means you no longer need add-ons like\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.enigmail.net\/index.php\/en\/\">Enigmail<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Thunderbird uses\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.openpgp.org\/\">OpenPGP<\/a>\u00a0for encryption, which is a free, nonproprietary protocol. Based on the freeware versions of\u00a0Phil Zimmerman\u2019s\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/w\/index.php?title=Pretty_Good_Privacy\">Pretty Good Privacy<\/a>\u00a0(PGP), it\u2019s now very much its own thing.<\/p>\n<p>Thunderbird\u2019s OpenPGP integration allows you to\u00a0encrypt\u00a0a message. Then, only the people you want to read your message will be able to do so. It also lets you\u00a0digitally sign\u00a0a message so your recipient can be confident the message hasn\u2019t been altered in transit.<\/p>\n<p>OpenPGP uses the principle of pairs of public and private (or \u201csecret\u201d) encryption keys. To use OpenPGP, you must have a public and private key pair. Public keys are shared with anyone to whom you want to send encrypted messages, whereas private keys are never shared with anyone else. Private keys can also be used to decrypt messages encoded with the matching public key.<\/p>\n<p>The sender\u2019s email client generates a random key which is used to encrypt the message. The random key is then encrypted with the recipient\u2019s\u00a0public\u00a0key, and the encrypted message and key are then sent to the recipient. The recipient\u2019s email program uses the recipient\u2019s\u00a0private\u00a0key to decrypt the random key. The random key can then be used to decrypt the encoded message.<\/p>\n<p>Why not just use the recipient\u2019s public key to encrypt the message? This would work for messages sent to a single recipient, but it would be too cumbersome for those sent to multiple people.<\/p>\n<p>The most efficient way to distribute a message to several people is to encrypt the message using the random key. This is because no public or private keys have been involved at that point, making the encryption on the message person-agnostic.<\/p>\n<p>For each recipient, the random key is encrypted using that person\u2019s public key. All of the encrypted keys are then sent with the message. Each recipient can decrypt the copy of the random key that was encrypted using their public key, and then use the random key to decrypt the message.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully, once OpenPGP is set up, all of this happens automatically.<\/p>\n<p>We tested Thunderbird\u2019s OpenPGP integration on an Ubuntu 20.10 computer. On a Windows 10 PC, all the Thunderbird menu items, settings, and dialogs were named the same and in the same locations. So, if you\u2019re running Windows, you should be able to follow the instructions below, as well!<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"generating-a-key-pair\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Checking_the_Thunderbird_Version\"><\/span>Checking the Thunderbird Version<br \/>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>OpenPGP integration arrived in Thunderbird 78.2.1, so you\u2019ll want to make sure you\u2019re running that version or higher. You can use your package manager to upgrade if necessary.<\/p>\n<p>If you use Enigmail, refer to the\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/support.mozilla.org\/en-US\/kb\/openpgp-thunderbird-howto-and-faq#w_i-have-previously-used-enigmail-how-do-i-migrate-and-configure\">upgrade instructions<\/a>\u00a0on the Mozilla support pages. They include advice about backing up your old Thunderbird profile before you upgrade. This way, if something goes wrong, you can go back to the previous version.<\/p>\n<p>By default, Thunderbird 78.x retains the classic three-pane email interface: the accounts and folders in the sidebar, the list of received emails at the top, and the content of the highlighted email at the bottom.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706925\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x1-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.KuSzwBMTnX.png\" alt=\"Thunderbird email client default view\" width=\"646\" height=\"734\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If you can\u2019t see the Thunderbird menu bar, right-click the space to the right of the last tab, and then select \u201cMenu Bar\u201d from the context menu. To see which version of Thunderbird you have, click Help &gt; About Thunderbird.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706928\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x2-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.Fx0Drza73E.png\" alt=\"Thunderbird's help about dialog box\" width=\"622\" height=\"340\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re running version 78.5.0, so the OpenPGP integration will definitely be present.<\/p>\n<p>If this is the first time you\u2019ve used Thunderbird, configure your email address and account details, and then verify that email is functioning normally. You have to have a working email account inside Thunderbird before you can set up OpenPGP.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Generating_a_Key_Pair\"><\/span>Generating a Key Pair<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To generate a key pair, click \u201cTools,\u201d and then select \u201cOpenPGP Key Manager.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706931\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x3-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.g0xr137VEY.png\" alt=\"Tools drop-down menu\" width=\"297\" height=\"383\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Click\u00a0Generate &gt; New Key Pair.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706947\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x4-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.jvJeMjOsoG.png\" alt=\"OpenPGP Key Manager dialog box\" width=\"646\" height=\"450\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>A screen full of options will appear. Click the \u201cIdentity\u201d drop-down menu and select the email address for which you want to generate keys. If you have multiple identities configured in your Thunderbird client, make sure you select the appropriate email address.<\/p>\n<p>Under \u201cKey Expiry,\u201d select the lifespan of your keys or select \u201cKey Does Not Expire.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In \u201cAdvanced Settings,\u201d you can select the type of encryption and key size (the defaults are fine in most cases).<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re happy with your selections, click \u201cGenerate Key.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706948\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x5.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.l8UQmN1YWV.png\" alt=\"The Generate OpenPGP Key options dialog box\" width=\"662\" height=\"492\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll be asked to confirm that you want to generate the keys for that email address; click \u201cConfirm.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706949\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x6-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.uziI1IfMiH.png\" alt=\"Key generation confirmation dialog box\" width=\"662\" height=\"232\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>After your keys have been generated, an entry will appear in the \u201cOpenPGP Key Manager\u201d dialog.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706951\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x7-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.XS4Ovohd0N.png\" alt=\"New key entry in the OpenPGP Key Manager\" width=\"646\" height=\"222\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If you generate keys for any other email addresses, those details will be listed here, as well. To view the configuration of any of the listed keys, just highlight the entry in the list, and then click View &gt; Key Properties.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706957\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x8-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.zua2O59mj5.png\" alt=\"Key Properties dialog box\" width=\"646\" height=\"481\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Select the radio button next to \u201cYes, Treat This Key as a Personal Key,\u201d and then click \u201cOK\u201d when you\u2019re ready to proceed.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exchanging_Public_Keys\"><\/span>Exchanging Public Keys<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You have to have the public key for each person to whom you\u2019re going to send encrypted messages. They\u2019ll also need yours to send encrypted messages back. There are a few ways you can get someone\u2019s public key. They might send it to you unannounced or you can ask them for it. You can even try to find it online.<\/p>\n<p>Whenever you receive an email with an attached public key, Thunderbird includes an \u201cOpenPGP\u201d button to the right of the email header; click it to import the public key.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706964\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/9-1.png\" alt=\"Email with a public key attached, showing the OpenPGP button\" width=\"646\" height=\"348\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>You might receive some warnings. For example, if the message wasn\u2019t encrypted or digitally signed, you\u2019ll be told so.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve just asked this person to send you their public key, you can be pretty sure this is from them. If there\u2019s any doubt, just double-check with them via text, phone, or any other non-email method.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re satisfied the public key definitely belongs to the person sending the message, click \u201cImport.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706965\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x10-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.8th7fq-HSo.png\" alt=\"OpenPGP message security dialog box\" width=\"501\" height=\"362\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The name of the sender and their email address will appear as confirmation.\u00a0Click \u201cOK\u201d to import the key.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706966\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x11-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.r-XcnVB0VO.png\" alt=\"Key import confirmation dialog\" width=\"575\" height=\"140\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Some information about the imported public key will then appear. You\u2019ll see who owns the key, the email address associated with it, the number of bits the encryption is using, and when the public key was created.<\/p>\n<p>Click \u201cView Details and Manage Key Acceptance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706967\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x12-2.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.zeiU7E9ahP.png\" alt=\"Imported key details dialog box\" width=\"376\" height=\"271\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re positive the key came from its owner, select the radio button next to \u201cYes, I\u2019ve Verified in Person This Key Has the Correct Fingerprint,\u201d and then click \u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706968\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x15-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.rFOFZ2_yDc.png\" alt=\"key proprties dialog box\" width=\"626\" height=\"555\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s half the battle! We now have Alwa\u2019s public key, so let\u2019s send him ours. To do so, just start a new email to the person to whom you want to send your key or reply to one of their emails. In the email menu bar, click Options &gt; Attach My Public Key.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706971\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x13.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.qcro3s2mqa.png\" alt=\"Email Options drop-down menu \" width=\"244\" height=\"386\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Then, you just type the body of your email and send it as usual.\u00a0Again, Thunderbird includes an \u201cOpenPGP\u201d indicator at the bottom right of the status bar to let you know the message uses OpenPGP. If the email is encrypted, you\u2019ll also see a padlock icon, and if it\u2019s digitally signed, you\u2019ll see a cogwheel icon.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706972\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x14.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.1JaWDtyQ8h.png\" alt=\"Email with OpenPGP indicator in the status bar\" width=\"647\" height=\"549\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The options for encryption and digitally signing emails are available in the \u201cSecurity\u201d section of the email menu bar. You can also attach your public key from this menu.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706973\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x22-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.CCVUn3rwCk.png\" alt=\"Security drop-down menu\" width=\"230\" height=\"158\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re ready, just send your email.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reading_Encrypted_Emails\"><\/span>Reading Encrypted Emails<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Alwa can now reply to you and use encryption. When you receive an encrypted, email you don\u2019t have to do anything special to read it\u2014just open it as usual. \u201cOpenPGP\u201d in the email header will include green checkmarks to verify that OpenPGP has decrypted the email and that the digital signature has also been verified.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706974\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x17.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.lGG3kIn4Iu.png\" alt=\"Recieivng an encrypted email in Thunderbird\" width=\"646\" height=\"348\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The subject line of an encrypted email will be displayed as an ellipsis (\u2026) until you open it. This prevents anyone from seeing the subject of any encrypted emails you receive.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706976\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x18-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.MFDVtivl5M.png\" alt=\"Encrypted email header replaced by three dots\" width=\"646\" height=\"428\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Some people do make their public keys available online. To upload yours, you first have to export it.<\/p>\n<p>To do so, click \u201cTools,\u201d and then select \u201cOpenPGP Key Manager.\u201d Highlight the key you want to export in the \u201cOpenPGP Key Manager\u201d dialog, and then click File &gt; Export Public Key(s) to File.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706951\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x7-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.XS4Ovohd0N.png\" alt=\"New key entry in the OpenPGP Key Manager\" width=\"646\" height=\"222\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Save the exported file to your computer (be sure to note where you save it). Next, open your web browser and navigate to the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/keys.openpgp.org\/\">OpenPGP Key Repository<\/a>. Here, you can search for existing keys using the email address, key ID, or fingerprint.<\/p>\n<p>You can also upload your own key. To do so, just click \u201cUpload,\u201d and then browse to the location of your exported file.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706978\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x23-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.8R19XSF6iy.png\" alt=\"OpenPGP central key repository\" width=\"646\" height=\"315\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Once your key is uploaded, people can search for, find, and download or import it into their own email clients.<\/p>\n<p>You can also search for online keys in Thunderbird. Just click \u201cTools,\u201d and then select \u201cOpenPGP Key Manager.\u201d Then, click Keyserver &gt; Discover Keys Online.<\/p>\n<p>When the \u201cOpenPGP Prompt\u201d dialog appears, type the email address of the person you\u2019re looking for, and then click\u00a0\u201cOK.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706980\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x19-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.HVrg_wmfHF.png\" alt=\"Searching for online keys from within Thunderbird\" width=\"640\" height=\"185\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If a match is found, Thunderbird will offer to import the key for you; click \u201cOK\u201d to do so.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-706982\" src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/x20-1.png.pagespeed.gp+jp+jw+pj+ws+js+rj+rp+rw+ri+cp+md.ic.ZlvZTKDLtN.png\" alt=\"Matching key details displayed in a dialog box in Thunderbird\" width=\"575\" height=\"140\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keep_Your_Secrets_Well_Secret\"><\/span>Keep Your Secrets, Well, Secret<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Admittedly, not every email needs to be locked down with encryption and verified by a digital signature. However, for some people\u2014like dissidents in oppressive regimes, whistleblowers, or journalists\u2019 sources\u2014privacy can be a matter of life or death.<\/p>\n<p>Whenever you need more privacy, Thunderbird makes it easy!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n setTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s) } (window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n   fbq('init', '335401813750447');\n   fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/706402\/how-to-use-openpgp-encryption-for-emails-in-thunderbird\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#How to Use OpenPGP Encryption for Emails in Thunderbird&#8221; bluebay\/Shutterstock Mozilla Thunderbird recently integrated OpenPGP right into the main application. No add-ons are needed for email privacy. OpenPGP\u2019s world-class encryption is easy to set up and use without additional software. Thunderbird and OpenPGP Version 78.2.1 of the\u00a0Thunderbird\u00a0email client has support for\u00a0end-to-end encryption\u00a0(e2ee) built right in&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":148967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/thumbcache\/2\/200\/fcdf7493aa1ef7a1f0b0ed5ad70f3117\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/email-lock-icon.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-148966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=148966"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148966\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=148966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=148966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=148966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}