gpg2

Generate key pair

$ gpg2 --full-generate-key

$ gpg2 --list-keys

$ gpg2 -e -r [recipient@email.com] [file]

$ gpg2 -d [file.gpg]

$ gpg2 --sign [file]

$ gpg2 --verify [file.sig]

$ gpg2 --armor --export [keyid] > [public.asc]

gpg2 [options] [files]

gpg2 (GnuPG 2) is the GNU Privacy Guard, an implementation of the OpenPGP standard. It provides encryption, digital signatures, and key management for secure communication.
gpg2 is the modern version with improved architecture, splitting functionality into separate daemons. Most systems alias gpg to gpg2.

-e, --encrypt

Encrypt data.

Decrypt data.

Sign data.

Verify signature.

Encrypt for recipient.

ASCII armored output.

Generate key pair.

List public keys.

List private keys.

Export public key.

Import keys.

Keyserver to use.

Key management requires understanding of web of trust. Private keys must be protected. Passphrase selection is critical. gpg and gpg2 share keyrings on modern systems.

GnuPG was created by Werner Koch in 1997 as a free replacement for PGP. GPG 2.0 was released in 2006 with a modular architecture. It's a fundamental tool for secure email and software signing.

gpg(1), gpg-agent(1), gpgconf(1)