How To Send Files Securely From Fedora

[Robin Laing]

Robert L Cochran wrote:
> I want to send files securely from my Fedora 11 (Preview) or Fedora 10 
> systems to a Microsoft Windows (Home Edition) user who quickly gets lost 
> if asked to do anything complex. By "securely" sending files, I mean I 
> wish to attach files to an email and then send them over the wire either 
> encrypted or password protected such that there is little possibility of 
> anyone but the intended recipient being able to see the files in clear.
> 
> I would also like the user to be able to send files back to me which are 
> similarly secured.
> 
> The user likes Windows Live Mail. I do not think the user capable of 
> managing public keys or of understanding how to decrypt public-key based 
> files unless it can be done with one or two mouse clicks. I could do the 
> initial setup and testing myself. Everything has to be geared to 
> allowing a quite basic user to view the cleartext quickly and very 
> simply, without others on the Internet being able to crack it.
> 
> I've thought of sending password-protected zip files using the Fedora 
> zip utility. Perhaps these are compatible with the same utility in 
> Windows XP?
> 
> Any suggestions?
> 
> Bob
> 

You don't say what types of files.

Rar/par and WinRar are another option.  The encryption is better than 
zip and from what I read easy to use, at least on Windows.

If the files are just documents, then I would use OpenOffice and use the 
encryption within it.

Enigma mail as suggested is an easy option.

-- 
Robin Laing