mirror of
https://git.savannah.gnu.org/git/emacs.git
synced 2024-11-22 07:09:54 +00:00
d85461ac61
* doc/misc/epa.texi (Cryptographic operations on regions): Fix wording of the 'epa-keys-select-method's documentation. * lisp/epa.el (epa-keys-select-method): Doc fix (bug#69133).
775 lines
26 KiB
Plaintext
775 lines
26 KiB
Plaintext
\input texinfo @c -*- mode: texinfo -*-
|
|
@c %**start of header
|
|
@setfilename ../../info/epa.info
|
|
@settitle EasyPG Assistant User's Manual
|
|
@include docstyle.texi
|
|
@c %**end of header
|
|
|
|
@set VERSION 1.0.0
|
|
|
|
@copying
|
|
This file describes EasyPG Assistant @value{VERSION}.
|
|
|
|
Copyright @copyright{} 2007--2024 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
|
|
|
|
@quotation
|
|
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document
|
|
under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.3 or
|
|
any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no
|
|
Invariant Sections, with the Front-Cover Texts being ``A GNU Manual,''
|
|
and with the Back-Cover Texts as in (a) below. A copy of the license
|
|
is included in the section entitled ``GNU Free Documentation License''.
|
|
|
|
(a) The FSF's Back-Cover Text is: ``You have the freedom to copy and
|
|
modify this GNU manual.''
|
|
@end quotation
|
|
@end copying
|
|
|
|
@dircategory Emacs misc features
|
|
@direntry
|
|
* EasyPG Assistant: (epa). An Emacs user interface to GNU Privacy Guard.
|
|
@end direntry
|
|
|
|
@titlepage
|
|
@title EasyPG Assistant
|
|
|
|
@author by Daiki Ueno
|
|
@page
|
|
|
|
@vskip 0pt plus 1filll
|
|
@insertcopying
|
|
@end titlepage
|
|
|
|
@contents
|
|
|
|
@node Top
|
|
@top EasyPG Assistant User's Manual
|
|
@cindex easypg assistant
|
|
@cindex gnu privacy guard
|
|
@cindex gnupg
|
|
|
|
EasyPG Assistant is an Emacs user interface to GNU Privacy Guard
|
|
(GnuPG, @pxref{Top, , Top, gnupg, Using the GNU Privacy Guard}).
|
|
|
|
EasyPG Assistant is a part of the package called EasyPG, an all-in-one
|
|
GnuPG interface for Emacs. EasyPG also contains the library interface
|
|
called EasyPG Library.
|
|
|
|
@ifnottex
|
|
@insertcopying
|
|
@end ifnottex
|
|
|
|
@c Unfortunately the node names of this manual are not very consistent
|
|
@c w.r.t. their case. However, case is significant in node names, so
|
|
@c we probably better should not change these to not break any
|
|
@c external references. Things are more relaxed for structure titles,
|
|
@c so we consistently updated them to title-case.
|
|
|
|
@menu
|
|
* Overview::
|
|
* Quick start::
|
|
* Commands::
|
|
* GnuPG version compatibility::
|
|
* GnuPG Pinentry::
|
|
* Caching Passphrases::
|
|
* Bug Reports::
|
|
* GNU Free Documentation License:: The license for this documentation.
|
|
* Concept Index::
|
|
* Key Index::
|
|
* Function Index::
|
|
* Variable Index::
|
|
@end menu
|
|
|
|
@node Overview
|
|
@chapter Overview
|
|
@cindex features of easypg assistant
|
|
|
|
EasyPG Assistant is an Emacs frontend application to @acronym{GnuPG,
|
|
GNU Privacy Guard} that provides the following features:
|
|
|
|
@itemize @bullet
|
|
@item Key management.
|
|
@item Cryptographic operations on regions.
|
|
@item Cryptographic operations on files.
|
|
@item Dired integration.
|
|
@item Mail-mode integration.
|
|
@item Automatic encryption/decryption of *.gpg files.
|
|
@end itemize
|
|
|
|
@node Quick start
|
|
@chapter Quick Start
|
|
@cindex introduction to easypg assistant
|
|
@cindex gnupg documentation
|
|
@cindex documentation on gnupg
|
|
@cindex configuration of gnupg
|
|
@cindex introduction to gnupg
|
|
|
|
You can use EasyPG Assistant without any Emacs or GnuPG configuration
|
|
whatsoever, for example to encrypt and decrypt files automatically
|
|
with symmetric encryption, see @ref{Encrypting/decrypting gpg files}.
|
|
However, to use the full set of EasyPG Assistant's functions you
|
|
should have at least some minimum GnuPG configuration in place.
|
|
|
|
John Michael Ashley's GNU Privacy Handbook, available online as part
|
|
of @uref{https://gnupg.org/documentation/guides.html, the GnuPG user
|
|
guides}, provides an introduction to GnuPG use and configuration. In
|
|
contrast to that, the GnuPG manual (@pxref{Top, , Top, gnupg, Using
|
|
the GNU Privacy Guard}) is more of a reference manual.
|
|
|
|
EasyPG Assistant commands are prefixed by @samp{epa-}. For example,
|
|
|
|
@itemize @bullet
|
|
@item To browse your keyring, type @kbd{M-x epa-list-keys}
|
|
|
|
@item To create a cleartext signature of the region, type @kbd{M-x epa-sign-region}
|
|
|
|
@item To encrypt a file, type @kbd{M-x epa-encrypt-file}
|
|
|
|
@item To query a key server for keys, type @kbd{M-x epa-search-keys}
|
|
@end itemize
|
|
|
|
EasyPG Assistant provides several cryptographic features which can be
|
|
integrated into other Emacs functionalities. For example, automatic
|
|
encryption/decryption of @file{*.gpg} files.
|
|
|
|
@node Commands
|
|
@chapter Commands
|
|
|
|
This chapter introduces various commands for typical use cases.
|
|
|
|
@menu
|
|
* Key management::
|
|
* Cryptographic operations on regions::
|
|
* Cryptographic operations on files::
|
|
* Dired integration::
|
|
* Mail-mode integration::
|
|
* Encrypting/decrypting gpg files::
|
|
* Querying a key server::
|
|
@end menu
|
|
|
|
@node Key management
|
|
@section Key Management
|
|
@cindex key management
|
|
|
|
@cindex key ring, browsing
|
|
@cindex browse key ring
|
|
Probably the first step of using EasyPG Assistant is to browse your
|
|
keyring. @kbd{M-x epa-list-keys} is corresponding to @samp{gpg
|
|
--list-keys} from the command line.
|
|
|
|
@deffn Command epa-list-keys name mode
|
|
Show all keys matched with @var{name} from the public keyring.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@noindent
|
|
The output looks as follows.
|
|
|
|
@example
|
|
u A5B6B2D4B15813FE Daiki Ueno <ueno@@unixuser.org>
|
|
@end example
|
|
|
|
@noindent
|
|
A character on the leftmost column indicates the trust level of the
|
|
key. If it is @samp{u}, the key is marked as ultimately trusted. The
|
|
second column is the key ID, and the rest is the user ID.
|
|
|
|
You can move over entries by @key{TAB}. If you type @key{RET} or
|
|
click button1 on an entry, you will see more detailed information
|
|
about the key you selected.
|
|
|
|
@example
|
|
u Daiki Ueno <ueno@@unixuser.org>
|
|
u A5B6B2D4B15813FE 1024bits DSA
|
|
Created: 2001-10-09
|
|
Expires: 2007-09-04
|
|
Capabilities: sign certify
|
|
Fingerprint: 8003 7CD0 0F1A 9400 03CA 50AA A5B6 B2D4 B158 13FE
|
|
u 4447461B2A9BEA2D 2048bits ELGAMAL_E
|
|
Created: 2001-10-09
|
|
Expires: 2007-09-04
|
|
Capabilities: encrypt
|
|
Fingerprint: 9003 D76B 73B7 4A8A E588 10AF 4447 461B 2A9B EA2D
|
|
@end example
|
|
|
|
@cindex private key ring, browsing
|
|
@noindent
|
|
To browse your private keyring, use @kbd{M-x epa-list-secret-keys}.
|
|
|
|
@deffn Command epa-list-secret-keys name
|
|
Show all keys matched with @var{name} from the private keyring.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@noindent
|
|
In @file{*Keys*} buffer, several commands are available. The common
|
|
use case is to export some keys to a file. To do that, type @kbd{m}
|
|
to select keys, type @kbd{o}, and then supply the filename.
|
|
|
|
Below are other commands related to key management. Some of them take
|
|
a file as input/output, and others take the current region.
|
|
|
|
@cindex insert keys
|
|
@deffn Command epa-insert-keys keys
|
|
Insert selected @var{keys} after the point. It will let you select
|
|
keys before insertion. By default, it will encode keys in the OpenPGP
|
|
armor format.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@cindex import keys
|
|
@deffn Command epa-import-keys file
|
|
Import keys from @var{file} to your keyring.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@deffn Command epa-import-keys-region start end
|
|
Import keys from the current region between @var{start} and @var{end}
|
|
to your keyring.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@deffn Command epa-import-armor-in-region start end
|
|
Import keys in the OpenPGP armor format in the current region between
|
|
@var{start} and @var{end}. The difference from
|
|
@code{epa-import-keys-region} is that
|
|
@code{epa-import-armor-in-region} searches armors in the region and
|
|
applies @code{epa-import-keys-region} to each of them.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@cindex delete keys
|
|
@deffn Command epa-delete-keys allow-secret
|
|
Delete selected keys. If @var{allow-secret} is non-@code{nil}, it
|
|
also delete the secret keys.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@node Cryptographic operations on regions
|
|
@section Cryptographic Operations on Regions
|
|
@cindex cryptographic operations on regions
|
|
@cindex region operations, cryptographic
|
|
|
|
@cindex decrypt region
|
|
@deffn Command epa-decrypt-region start end
|
|
Decrypt the current region between @var{start} and @var{end}. It
|
|
replaces the region with the decrypted text.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@deffn Command epa-decrypt-armor-in-region start end
|
|
Decrypt OpenPGP armors in the current region between @var{start} and
|
|
@var{end}. The difference from @code{epa-decrypt-region} is that
|
|
@code{epa-decrypt-armor-in-region} searches armors in the region
|
|
and applies @code{epa-decrypt-region} to each of them. That is, this
|
|
command does not alter the original text around armors.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@cindex verify region
|
|
@deffn Command epa-verify-region start end
|
|
Verify the current region between @var{start} and @var{end}. It sends
|
|
the verification result to the minibuffer or a popup window. It
|
|
replaces the region with the signed text.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@deffn Command epa-verify-cleartext-in-region
|
|
Verify OpenPGP cleartext blocks in the current region between
|
|
@var{start} and @var{end}. The difference from
|
|
@code{epa-verify-region} is that @code{epa-verify-cleartext-in-region}
|
|
searches OpenPGP cleartext blocks in the region and applies
|
|
@code{epa-verify-region} to each of them. That is, this command does
|
|
not alter the original text around OpenPGP cleartext blocks.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@cindex sign region
|
|
@deffn Command epa-sign-region start end signers type
|
|
Sign the current region between @var{start} and @var{end}. By
|
|
default, it creates a cleartext signature. If a prefix argument is
|
|
given, it will let you select signing keys, and then a signature
|
|
type.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@cindex encrypt region
|
|
@deffn Command epa-encrypt-region start end recipients sign signers
|
|
Encrypt the current region between @var{start} and @var{end}. It will
|
|
let you select recipients. If a prefix argument is given, it will
|
|
also ask you whether or not to sign the text before encryption and if
|
|
you answered yes, it will let you select the signing keys.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@defvar epa-keys-select-method
|
|
This variable controls the method used for key selection in
|
|
@code{epa-select-keys}. The default value @code{buffer} pops up a
|
|
special buffer where you can select the keys. If the value is
|
|
@code{minibuffer}, @code{epa-select-keys} will instead prompt for the
|
|
keys in the minibuffer, where you should type the keys separated by
|
|
commas.
|
|
@end defvar
|
|
|
|
@node Cryptographic operations on files
|
|
@section Cryptographic Operations on Files
|
|
@cindex cryptographic operations on files
|
|
@cindex file operations, cryptographic
|
|
|
|
@cindex decrypt file
|
|
@deffn Command epa-decrypt-file file &optional output
|
|
Decrypt @var{file}. If you do not specify the name @var{output} to
|
|
use for the decrypted file, this function prompts for the value to use.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@cindex verify file
|
|
@deffn Command epa-verify-file file
|
|
Verify @var{file}.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@cindex sign file
|
|
@deffn Command epa-sign-file file signers type
|
|
Sign @var{file}. If a prefix argument is given, it will let you
|
|
select signing keys, and then a signature type.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@cindex encrypt file
|
|
@deffn Command epa-encrypt-file file recipients
|
|
Encrypt @var{file}. It will let you select recipients.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@node Dired integration
|
|
@section Dired Integration
|
|
@cindex dired integration
|
|
@cindex directory operations
|
|
@cindex multiple file operations
|
|
|
|
EasyPG Assistant extends Dired Mode for GNU Emacs to allow users to
|
|
easily do cryptographic operations on files. For example,
|
|
|
|
@example
|
|
M-x dired
|
|
(mark some files)
|
|
: e (or M-x epa-dired-do-encrypt)
|
|
(select recipients by 'm' and click [OK])
|
|
@end example
|
|
|
|
@noindent
|
|
The following keys are assigned.
|
|
|
|
@table @kbd
|
|
@item : d
|
|
@kindex : d
|
|
@findex epa-dired-do-decrypt
|
|
Decrypt marked files.
|
|
|
|
@item : v
|
|
@kindex : v
|
|
@findex epa-dired-do-verify
|
|
Verify marked files.
|
|
|
|
@item : s
|
|
@kindex : s
|
|
@findex epa-dired-do-sign
|
|
Sign marked files.
|
|
|
|
@item : e
|
|
@kindex : e
|
|
@findex epa-dired-do-encrypt
|
|
Encrypt marked files.
|
|
|
|
@end table
|
|
|
|
@node Mail-mode integration
|
|
@section Mail-Mode Integration
|
|
@cindex mail-mode integration
|
|
@cindex sending signed/encrypted mails
|
|
|
|
EasyPG Assistant provides a minor mode @code{epa-mail-mode} to help
|
|
user compose inline OpenPGP messages. Inline OpenPGP is a traditional
|
|
style of sending signed/encrypted emails by embedding raw OpenPGP
|
|
blobs inside a message body, not using modern MIME format.
|
|
|
|
NOTE: Inline OpenPGP is not recommended and you should consider to use
|
|
PGP/MIME@. See
|
|
@uref{https://josefsson.org/inline-openpgp-considered-harmful.html,
|
|
Inline OpenPGP in E-mail is bad@comma{} Mm'kay?}.
|
|
|
|
@noindent
|
|
Once @code{epa-mail-mode} is enabled, the following keys are assigned.
|
|
You can do it by @kbd{C-u 1 M-x epa-mail-mode} or through the Customize
|
|
interface. Try @kbd{M-x customize-variable epa-global-mail-mode}.
|
|
|
|
@table @kbd
|
|
@item C-c C-e C-d and C-c C-e d
|
|
@kindex C-c C-e C-d
|
|
@kindex C-c C-e d
|
|
@findex epa-mail-decrypt
|
|
Decrypt OpenPGP armors in the current buffer.
|
|
|
|
@item C-c C-e C-v and C-c C-e v
|
|
@kindex C-c C-e C-v
|
|
@kindex C-c C-e v
|
|
@findex epa-mail-verify
|
|
Verify OpenPGP cleartext signed messages in the current buffer.
|
|
|
|
@item C-c C-e C-s and C-c C-e s
|
|
@kindex C-c C-e C-s
|
|
@kindex C-c C-e s
|
|
@findex epa-mail-sign
|
|
Compose a signed message from the current buffer, using your default
|
|
key. With a prefix argument, select the key to use interactively.
|
|
|
|
@item C-c C-e C-e and C-c C-e e
|
|
@kindex C-c C-e C-e
|
|
@kindex C-c C-e e
|
|
@findex epa-mail-encrypt
|
|
@vindex epa-mail-aliases
|
|
Compose an encrypted message from the current buffer.
|
|
By default it tries to build the recipient list from @samp{to},
|
|
@samp{cc}, and @samp{bcc} fields of the mail header. To include your
|
|
key in the recipient list, use @samp{encrypt-to} option in
|
|
@file{~/.gnupg/gpg.conf}. This function translates recipient
|
|
addresses using the @code{epa-mail-aliases} list. You can also
|
|
use that option to ignore specific recipients for encryption purposes.
|
|
|
|
With prefix argument, asks you to select the recipients interactively,
|
|
whether to sign, and which key(s) to sign with.
|
|
@end table
|
|
|
|
@node Encrypting/decrypting gpg files
|
|
@section Encrypting and Decrypting gpg Files
|
|
@cindex encrypting gpg files
|
|
@cindex decrypting gpg files
|
|
@cindex gpg files, encrypting and decrypting
|
|
@cindex automatic file encryption and decryption
|
|
|
|
By default, every file whose name ends with @file{.gpg} will be
|
|
treated as encrypted. That is, when you open such a file, the
|
|
decrypted text is inserted in the buffer rather than encrypted one.
|
|
Similarly, when you save the buffer to a @file{foo.gpg} file,
|
|
encrypted data is written.
|
|
|
|
When you save a buffer to an encrypted file for the first time, EasyPG
|
|
Assistant presents you a list of keys in a buffer @file{*Keys*} where
|
|
you can select recipients for encryption. @xref{Key management}, for
|
|
a description of the format of that buffer. You can streamline this
|
|
recipient selection step by customizing variables
|
|
@code{epa-file-encrypt-to} and @code{epa-file-select-keys} described
|
|
further below in this section.
|
|
|
|
@cindex symmetric encryption, passphrase entry for
|
|
If you do not select any recipient during this step, EasyPG Assistant
|
|
uses symmetric encryption. As a consequence, you have to enter the
|
|
passphrase twice for every buffer save and every so often for file
|
|
reads, since the GnuPG Agent caches your passphrase for file reads at
|
|
least for some time, but not for buffer saves. @xref{Caching
|
|
Passphrases}, for more information.
|
|
|
|
@cindex public key encryption, passphrase entry for
|
|
If you have created your own keypair@footnote{For encryption and
|
|
decryption of files you do not intend to share, you do not have to use
|
|
an email address as recipient during creation of the keypair. You can
|
|
also use some free-form string that gives information on the use of
|
|
the keypair, like @code{backup} or @code{account database}.}, you can
|
|
select that as recipient, and EasyPG Assistant will use public key
|
|
encryption for that file. Since GnuPG performs encryption with your
|
|
public key, it does not prompt for a passphrase for the buffer save,
|
|
but it will prompt for your passphrase for file reads every now and
|
|
then, depending on the GnuPG Agent cache configuration.
|
|
|
|
@cindex temporary files created by easypg assistant
|
|
To encrypt and decrypt files as described above EasyPG Assistant under
|
|
certain circumstances uses intermediate temporary files that contain the
|
|
plain-text contents of the files it processes. EasyPG Assistant
|
|
creates them below the directory returned by function
|
|
@code{temporary-file-directory} (@pxref{Unique File Names, ,
|
|
Generating Unique File Names, elisp, GNU Emacs Lisp Reference
|
|
Manual}). If you want to be sure not to leave any plain-text traces,
|
|
use an encrypted file systems at least for that directory.
|
|
|
|
The file name pattern for encrypted files can be controlled by
|
|
@code{epa-file-name-regexp}.
|
|
|
|
@defvar epa-file-name-regexp
|
|
Regexp which matches filenames treated as encrypted.
|
|
@end defvar
|
|
|
|
You can disable this behavior with @kbd{M-x epa-file-disable}, and
|
|
then get it back with @kbd{M-x epa-file-enable}.
|
|
|
|
@deffn Command epa-file-disable
|
|
Disable automatic encryption/decryption of *.gpg files.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@deffn Command epa-file-enable
|
|
Enable automatic encryption/decryption of *.gpg files.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
@noindent
|
|
By default, @code{epa-file} will try to use symmetric encryption, aka
|
|
password-based encryption. If you want to use public key encryption
|
|
instead, do @kbd{M-x epa-file-select-keys}, which pops up the key
|
|
selection dialog.
|
|
|
|
@deffn Command epa-file-select-keys
|
|
Select recipient keys to encrypt the currently visiting file with
|
|
public key encryption.
|
|
@end deffn
|
|
|
|
You can also change the default behavior with the variable
|
|
@code{epa-file-select-keys}.
|
|
|
|
@defvar epa-file-select-keys
|
|
Control whether or not to pop up the key selection dialog.
|
|
@end defvar
|
|
|
|
@vindex epa-file-encrypt-to
|
|
For frequently visited files, it might be a good idea to tell Emacs
|
|
which encryption method should be used through file variables
|
|
(@pxref{File Variables, , Local Variables in Files, emacs, The Emacs
|
|
Editor}). Use the @code{epa-file-encrypt-to} local variable for this.
|
|
|
|
For example, if you want an Elisp file to be encrypted with a
|
|
public key associated with an email address @samp{ueno@@unixuser.org},
|
|
add the following line to the beginning of the file.
|
|
|
|
@cartouche
|
|
@lisp
|
|
;; -*- epa-file-encrypt-to: ("ueno@@unixuser.org") -*-
|
|
@end lisp
|
|
@end cartouche
|
|
|
|
Instead, if you want the file always (regardless of the value of the
|
|
@code{epa-file-select-keys} variable) encrypted with symmetric
|
|
encryption, change the line as follows.
|
|
|
|
@cartouche
|
|
@lisp
|
|
;; -*- epa-file-encrypt-to: nil -*-
|
|
@end lisp
|
|
@end cartouche
|
|
|
|
Other variables which control the automatic encryption/decryption
|
|
behavior are below.
|
|
|
|
@defvar epa-file-cache-passphrase-for-symmetric-encryption
|
|
If non-@code{nil}, cache passphrase for symmetric encryption. The
|
|
default value is @code{nil}.
|
|
|
|
For security reasons, this option is turned off by default and not
|
|
recommended to be used. Instead, consider using the GnuPG Agent, which
|
|
in many cases can do the same job, and does it in a safer way.
|
|
@xref{Caching Passphrases}, for more information.
|
|
@end defvar
|
|
|
|
@defvar epa-file-inhibit-auto-save
|
|
If non-@code{nil}, disable auto-saving when opening an encrypted file.
|
|
The default value is @code{t}.
|
|
@end defvar
|
|
|
|
@node Querying a key server
|
|
@section Querying a Key Server
|
|
@cindex query key server
|
|
@cindex key server, querying
|
|
|
|
The @code{epa-search-keys} command can be used to query a
|
|
@acronym{GPG} key server. Emacs will then pop up a buffer that lists
|
|
the matches, and you can then fetch (and add) keys to your personal
|
|
key ring.
|
|
|
|
In the key search buffer, you can use the @kbd{f} command to mark keys
|
|
for fetching, and then @kbd{x} to fetch the keys (and incorporate them
|
|
into your key ring).
|
|
|
|
The @code{epa-keyserver} variable says which server to query.
|
|
|
|
@node GnuPG version compatibility
|
|
@chapter GnuPG Version Compatibility
|
|
@cindex gnupg version compatibility
|
|
@cindex version compatibility with gnupg
|
|
@cindex compatibility with gnupg
|
|
|
|
As of June 2023, there are three active branches of GnuPG: 2.4, 2.2,
|
|
and 1.4. GnuPG versions 2.4.1 and later suffer from
|
|
@uref{https://dev.gnupg.org/T6481, GnuPG bug T6481} and are hardly
|
|
usable with Emacs. There is a patch for that bug available at least
|
|
for GnuPG version 2.4.1, which your operating system or distribution
|
|
might provide already. GnuPG 1.4 is considered a legacy version.
|
|
|
|
Besides that, all of those branches mentioned above should work
|
|
flawlessly with Emacs with basic use-cases. They have, however, some
|
|
incompatible characteristics, which might be visible when used from
|
|
Emacs.
|
|
|
|
@itemize
|
|
@item
|
|
The key store format used by GnuPG 2.1 is incompatible with 1.4. That
|
|
means, a key created with GnuPG 2.1 is not visible with 1.4.
|
|
|
|
@item
|
|
GnuPG 2.1 uses a fixed address for the Unix domain socket used to
|
|
communicate with @command{gpg-agent}. The @code{GPG_AGENT_INFO}
|
|
environment variable, which is used by GnuPG 2.0 and 1.4, is ignored.
|
|
That means, if your system has both GnuPG 2.1 and 1.4, the gpg command
|
|
from GnuPG 1.4 is not able to use @command{gpg-agent} provided by 2.1
|
|
(at least out of box).
|
|
|
|
@item
|
|
GnuPG 2.1 (2.1.5 or later) has a mechanism to direct the Pinentry
|
|
password prompt to the Emacs minibuffer. @xref{GnuPG Pinentry}.
|
|
@end itemize
|
|
|
|
@node GnuPG Pinentry
|
|
@chapter GnuPG Pinentry
|
|
@cindex gnupg pinentry
|
|
@cindex pinentry provided by gnupg
|
|
|
|
An important component of the GnuPG suite is the Pinentry, which
|
|
allows for secure entry of passphrases requested by GnuPG. GnuPG
|
|
delivers various different programs as Pinentry, ranging from bland
|
|
TTY-only @command{pinentry-tty} to fancy graphical dialogs for various
|
|
desktop environments, like @command{pinentry-gnome3}. Your operating
|
|
system usually determines which of these is used by default.
|
|
|
|
Note that the selection of a concrete Pinentry program determines only
|
|
@emph{how} GnuPG queries for passphrases and not @emph{how often}.
|
|
For the latter question see @ref{Caching Passphrases}.
|
|
|
|
@cindex pinentry, emacs as
|
|
With some configuration Emacs can also play the role of a Pinentry.
|
|
The most natural choice, available with GnuPG 2.1.5 and later, is to
|
|
use Emacs itself as Pinentry for requests that are triggered by Emacs.
|
|
For example, if you open a file whose name ends with @file{.gpg} using
|
|
automatic decryption, you most likely also want to enter the
|
|
passphrase for that request in Emacs.
|
|
|
|
@cindex loopback pinentry
|
|
This so called @dfn{loopback Pinentry} has the added benefit that it
|
|
works also when you use Emacs remotely or from a text-only terminal.
|
|
To enable it:
|
|
|
|
@enumerate
|
|
@item
|
|
@vindex allow-loopback-pinentry
|
|
Ensure that option @code{allow-loopback-pinentry} is configured for
|
|
@command{gpg-agent}, which should be the default. @xref{Agent
|
|
Options, , Option Summary, gnupg, Using the GNU Privacy Guard}.
|
|
|
|
@item
|
|
@vindex epg-pinentry-mode
|
|
Customize variable @code{epg-pinentry-mode} to @code{loopback} in
|
|
Emacs.
|
|
@end enumerate
|
|
|
|
Note that loopback Pinentry does not work with @command{gpgsm},
|
|
therefore EasyPG will ignore this setting for it.
|
|
|
|
There are other options available to use Emacs as Pinentry, you might
|
|
come across a Pinentry called @command{pinentry-emacs} or
|
|
@command{gpg-agent} option @code{allow-emacs-pinentry}. However,
|
|
these are considered insecure or semi-obsolete and might not be
|
|
supported by your operating system or distribution. For example,
|
|
Debian GNU/Linux supports only the loopback Pinentry described above.
|
|
|
|
@ignore
|
|
In case somebody requests these:
|
|
|
|
Use Emacs for all GnuPG requests:
|
|
|
|
Make @command{pinentry-emacs} the default Pinentry by means of your
|
|
operating system. Install package @file{pinentry.el} from GNU ELPA
|
|
and execute @kbd{M-x pinentry-start} to start the Emacs Pinentry
|
|
service. @emph{All} GnuPG passphrase requests should then result in a
|
|
minibuffer prompt in the running Emacs. If Emacs or the Emacs
|
|
Pinentry service are not running, passphrase requests fail.
|
|
|
|
Use Emacs for all GnuPG requests with other Pinentry as fallback:
|
|
|
|
Ensure the other Pinentry supports Emacs; @command{pinentry-curses}
|
|
does, for example. Configure @command{gpg-agent} option
|
|
@code{allow-emacs-pinentry}. Set environment variable
|
|
@code{INSIDE_EMACS} for the calling process. Install package
|
|
@file{pinentry.el}. Now if Emacs is running and @kbd{M-x
|
|
pinentry-start} has been executed, all GnuPG passphrase requests
|
|
should result in a minibuffer prompt in the running Emacs. If Emacs
|
|
or the Emacs Pinentry service are not running, GnuPG uses the other
|
|
Pinentry instead.
|
|
@end ignore
|
|
|
|
@node Caching Passphrases
|
|
@chapter Caching Passphrases
|
|
@cindex caching passphrases
|
|
@cindex entering passphrases
|
|
@cindex passphrases, entering and caching
|
|
|
|
Typing passphrases is a troublesome task if you frequently open and
|
|
close the same file. GnuPG and EasyPG Assistant provide mechanisms to
|
|
remember your passphrases for a limited time. Using these, you only
|
|
need to re-enter the passphrase occasionally. However, the
|
|
configuration is a bit confusing since it depends on your GnuPG
|
|
installation (@pxref{GnuPG version compatibility}), encryption method
|
|
(symmetric or public key), and whether or not you want to use
|
|
GnuPG Agent. As an additional constraint, use of the GnuPG Agent is
|
|
mandatory for GnuPG 2.0 and later. Here are some questions:
|
|
|
|
@enumerate
|
|
@item Do you use GnuPG version 2.0 or later instead of GnuPG version 1.4?
|
|
@item Do you use symmetric encryption rather than public key encryption?
|
|
@item Do you want to use GnuPG Agent?
|
|
@end enumerate
|
|
|
|
Here are configurations depending on your answers:
|
|
|
|
@multitable {111} {222} {333} {configuration configuration configuration}
|
|
@item @b{1} @tab @b{2} @tab @b{3} @tab Configuration
|
|
@item Yes @tab Yes @tab Must @tab Set up GnuPG Agent.
|
|
@item Yes @tab No @tab Must @tab Set up GnuPG Agent.
|
|
@item No @tab Yes @tab Yes @tab Set up elisp passphrase cache.
|
|
@item No @tab Yes @tab No @tab Set up elisp passphrase cache.
|
|
@item No @tab No @tab Yes @tab Set up GnuPG Agent.
|
|
@item No @tab No @tab No @tab You can't, without GnuPG Agent.
|
|
@end multitable
|
|
|
|
To set up GnuPG Agent, follow the instruction in @ref{Invoking
|
|
GPG-AGENT, , , gnupg, Using the GNU Privacy Guard}.
|
|
|
|
To set up elisp passphrase cache, set
|
|
@code{epa-file-cache-passphrase-for-symmetric-encryption}.
|
|
@xref{Encrypting/decrypting gpg files}.
|
|
|
|
@node Bug Reports
|
|
@chapter Bug Reports
|
|
@cindex bug reports
|
|
@cindex reporting bugs
|
|
|
|
Bugs and problems with EasyPG Assistant are actively worked on by the
|
|
Emacs development team. Feature requests and suggestions are also
|
|
more than welcome. Use @kbd{M-x report-emacs-bug}, see @ref{Bugs, ,
|
|
Reporting Bugs, emacs, The Emacs Editor}.
|
|
|
|
When submitting a bug report, please try to describe in excruciating
|
|
detail the steps required to reproduce the problem. Also try to
|
|
collect necessary information to fix the bug, such as:
|
|
|
|
@itemize @bullet
|
|
@item the GnuPG version. Send the output of @samp{gpg --version}.
|
|
@item the GnuPG configuration. Send the contents of @file{~/.gnupg/gpg.conf}.
|
|
@end itemize
|
|
|
|
Before reporting the bug, you should set @code{epg-debug} in the
|
|
@file{~/.emacs} file and repeat the bug. Then, include the contents
|
|
of the @file{ *epg-debug*} buffer. Note that the first letter of the
|
|
buffer name is a whitespace.
|
|
|
|
@node GNU Free Documentation License
|
|
@appendix GNU Free Documentation License
|
|
@include doclicense.texi
|
|
|
|
@node Concept Index
|
|
@unnumbered Concept Index
|
|
@printindex cp
|
|
|
|
@node Key Index
|
|
@unnumbered Key Index
|
|
@printindex ky
|
|
|
|
@node Function Index
|
|
@unnumbered Function Index
|
|
@printindex fn
|
|
|
|
@node Variable Index
|
|
@unnumbered Variable Index
|
|
@printindex vr
|
|
|
|
@bye
|
|
|
|
@c End:
|