How to Encrypt Files in Linux

Method 1 of 2:

Encrypting a File

Install GnuPG first. Open the terminal and enter the command sudo apt install gnupg. The installation process will start.
Navigate to the folder where you store the file that you are going to encrypt. Right-click and choose Open Terminal from the menu.
Enter the the command gpg -c file1.txt, and press ↵ Enter. Replace "file1.txt" with the name of the file you want to encrypt.
Enter the passphrase. You can choose any suitable passphrase you want; it will as you to re-enter the phrase for the confirmation. Don't forget the phrase!
Remove the original file by typing the command rm file1.txt. Replace "file1.txt" with the right file name. Your encrypted file will be created with the extension ".gpg" in the same directory.
Reload the agent. Sometimes GnuPG will cache your passphrase, meaning anyone can decrypt the file without the passphrase. To avoid this, use the command gpg-connect-agent reloadagent /bye.

Method 2 of 2:

Decrypting the File

Open the terminal to the folder where your encrypted file is located. The file has the .gpg extension. Just copy the name of the file from there.
Type the command gpg file1.txt.gpg. Remember to type your file name instead of "file1.txt.gpg".
Enter the passphrase.
Wait for your original file to be generated. Then you can open it!

David Pac

Update 04 March 2020

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