Are you working with workplace documents lots on your Linux PC? Wanting to hold the whole lot non-public and safe? Think about using encryption. It could actually hold your documents protected from prying eyes. On this information, we’ll go over how to encrypt documents on Linux utilizing Libre Workplace and GPG. Let’s get began.
Technique 1 – Libre Workplace
Libre Workplace, the default workplace suite for many Linux distributions has assist for encrypting doc recordsdata. So, if in case you have confidential documents, akin to tax data, delicate work recordsdata, and stuff like that, you possibly can rely on Libre Workplace to hold your knowledge protected.
Set up the Libre Workplace suite on Linux
Most Linux distributions have already got Libre Workplace arrange and put in. Nevertheless, some don’t. In case your Linux working system doesn’t have the Libre Workplace suite, head over to the official Libre Office website, click on the obtain button and go from there. Alternatively, search “Libre Office” in Gnome Software program, the Snap Retailer, or KDE Uncover and set up it that approach.
Encrypt documents with Libre Workplace Author
To start out, open up a terminal window and generate a brand new GPG key with the next command.
gpg --full-generate-key
Comply with the on-screen prompts to arrange the GPG key on your Linux PC. If you happen to plan to encrypt on a number of PCs, you could want to do that step on these machines too. Then, when the secret is finished decrypting, launch Libre Workplace Author on the Linux desktop and write out your doc the best way you usually would.
Word: although this tutorial primarily focuses on Libre Workplace Author, all Libre Workplace software program purposes assist encryption, and the directions beneath to allow it are comparable.
As soon as your Libre Workplace Author doc is all crammed and written out, press Ctrl + Shift + S to open up the save dialog. Or click on “File,” after which “Save As.”
Within the Libre Workplace Author saving dialog, write within the identify of your doc, and ensure it’s within the ODT file format. Then, search for the “Encrypt with GPG key” field and test it to allow the encryption function.
After clicking the “Encrypt with GPG key” field, a dialog field will seem exhibiting current GPG keys on your Linux PC. Undergo and choose the important thing you made earlier to encrypt it towards your key.
Encrypting current recordsdata
Want to encrypt a doc you have already got saved with Libre Workplace? Open up the file in Libre Workplace, and press Ctrl + Shift + S (or File > Save As) to convey up the save dialog field.
Save the brand new doc file along with your desired file identify, and test the “Encrypt with GPG key” field, and choose your GPG key within the pop-up window to encrypt the file.
Lock with password
Libre Workplace has a helpful encryption function, however in case you don’t need to cope with GPG keys, there’s one other approach to hold your documents non-public: with a password.
To lock your Libre Workplace doc with a password, open up an current doc, or, create a brand new one and paste within the textual content you’d like to lock up. Then, press Ctrl + Shift + S on the keyboard to convey up the save dialog.
Within the save dialog, write out the identify of the doc, and set the file format to “ODT.” Verify the “Save with password” field. Enter your password within the subsequent window to lock it up.
Technique 2 – GPG
These not utilizing Libre Workplace will be unable to make the most of its built-in encryption options. Not to fear although, it’s doable to encrypt all types of documents proper from the Linux command-line utilizing the GPG instrument. Right here’s how to do it.
To start out the encryption course of, open up a terminal window. You’ll be able to open up a terminal window on Linux by urgent Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T on the keyboard. Then, with the terminal window open, use the CD command to transfer to the place your unencrypted doc is.
cd ~/location/of/unencrypted/doc/
After shifting to the situation of the unencrypted doc, use the gpg -c command to begin the file encryption.
gpg -c your-document-here
Upon operating the gpg command above, you’ll be requested to set a password for the file. Write out a robust, memorable password within the immediate to encrypt the file.
Decryption
Decrypting your doc file with GPG is as straightforward as encrypting it. To do it, transfer the terminal window to the situation of the encrypted doc utilizing CD.
cd ~/location/of/encrypted/doc/
Then, use the gpg command to unencrypt your doc file.
gpg your-encrypted-document-here
After writing the command above right into a terminal window, you’ll be requested to enter your password. Accomplish that, and your doc might be unencrypted and prepared to use!
