PGP, Pretty Good Privacy

PGP and similar cryptographic products fall under the OpenPGP standard for encrypting and decrypting digital data. It uses public key cryptography along with a system that binds public keys with user names. The first version of this system contrasted with the hierarchical method applied by the Certificate Authorities. More recent versions of PGP encryption use both methods via an automated key management server. To the best of available public knowledge, there aren’t any known techniques that will enable an intruder to penetrate a PGP encryption by cryptographic or mathematical means. Unlike other security protocols such as SSL that only protect data being transferred over a network, PGP has the ability to protect data in permanent storage units. Though older versions are still available, they are also more vulnerable, therefore not recommended. In 1996, PGP was said to be the closest an individual or corporation could get to military-quality encryption.