Encryption Question - Purpose of "Use Password encryption (OpenPGP)"?

[p.miguel]

I’ve tested this encryption option and I get a file that can be decrypted with a private PGP key OR a specified password.

Is the purpose of this feature to add two decryption options to an encrypted file?
Is this a common requested feature?
What’s the practical usage of this encryption method?

[spwolf]

Hello, purpose is to provide regular symmetric encryption in OpenPGP… it is a part of OpenPGP standard. Thanks!

[p.miguel]

Thanks for the clarification.

Didn’t know OpenPGP used hybrid encryption (symmetric + asymmetric for the symmetric key).

Your PA Wiki needs an update.

[spwolf]

@p.miguel:

Thanks for the clarification.

Didn’t know OpenPGP used hybrid encryption (symmetric + asymmetric for the symmetric key).

Your PA Wiki needs an update.

OpenPGP includes symmetric key encryption, but most tools never expose this feature because most people use it for asymmetric encryption only. Our devs decide to include it as something more unique and interesting.

[p.miguel]

@p.miguel:

What’s the practical usage of this encryption method?

@spwolf:

OpenPGP includes symmetric key encryption, but most tools never expose this feature because most people use it for asymmetric encryption only. Our devs decide to include it as something more unique and interesting.

It was a wise decision. With this encryption system we can share files with people familiarized and unfamiliarized with the PGP system, without the need of two encryption works.

[spwolf]

we will update the wiki soon as well, so it is all explained well… thanks for the suggestion.