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Openpgp: inline or s/mime encryption

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  • Last reply by Boerken2

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I have imported a public key in my openpgp key-management/ In my settings of the end -to-end keys: preference of key technology: choose auto the key technology by the available keys. I have read openpgp standard supports inline en s/mime encryption but what is used by thunderbird when I choose openpgp as key encryption when i type/send an email (w/o attachment by myself). I ask it because my correspondent only decrypts inline encryption.

I have imported a public key in my openpgp key-management/ In my settings of the end -to-end keys: preference of key technology: choose auto the key technology by the available keys. I have read openpgp standard supports inline en s/mime encryption but what is used by thunderbird when I choose openpgp as key encryption when i type/send an email (w/o attachment by myself). I ask it because my correspondent only decrypts inline encryption.

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As I understand your question: You are using OpenPGP. You send an encrypted message. Your correspondent cannot decrypt the message.

Thunderbird does not support sending PGP/INLINE. PGP/INLINE is limited in what it can do. It doesn't support attachments, it doesn't support HTML emails.

Thunderbird uses PGP/MIME when sending an OpenPGP encrypted message. PGP/MIME is more flexible. Thunderbird uses PGP/MIME, because this encryption mode that can be used with any kind of message structure.

If your correspondent cannot decrypt PGP/MIME, then it would be best if your correspondent switches to a different email client.

If you really must send PGP/INLINE encrypted email, then currently you must use an external OpenPGP software to create a PGP/INLINE message, and then tell Thunderbird to send a plain text message, and then you can copy/paste your PGP/INLINE message into the message.

(Note that S/MIME is a different encryption technology, which is incompatible with OpenPGP.)

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Chosen Solution

As I understand your question: You are using OpenPGP. You send an encrypted message. Your correspondent cannot decrypt the message.

Thunderbird does not support sending PGP/INLINE. PGP/INLINE is limited in what it can do. It doesn't support attachments, it doesn't support HTML emails.

Thunderbird uses PGP/MIME when sending an OpenPGP encrypted message. PGP/MIME is more flexible. Thunderbird uses PGP/MIME, because this encryption mode that can be used with any kind of message structure.

If your correspondent cannot decrypt PGP/MIME, then it would be best if your correspondent switches to a different email client.

If you really must send PGP/INLINE encrypted email, then currently you must use an external OpenPGP software to create a PGP/INLINE message, and then tell Thunderbird to send a plain text message, and then you can copy/paste your PGP/INLINE message into the message.

(Note that S/MIME is a different encryption technology, which is incompatible with OpenPGP.)

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Hi Kai, Thanks for your clear answer. My correspondent answered he could not decrypt my email and the reason will be openPGP uses PGP/MIME as you explained.

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