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Info Node: (mailcrypt.info)Encrypting

(mailcrypt.info)Encrypting


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Encrypting a Message
====================

   The function `mc-encrypt' will encrypt a message in the current
buffer.  `mc-write-mode' binds this function to `C-c / e' by default.

   When this function is called, Mailcrypt will prompt you for a
comma-separated list of recipients.  If called from a mail composition
buffer, the recipient list will default to the Email addresses in the
`To', `CC', and `BCC' lines of the message.

   If you want to be able to decrypt the message yourself, you need to
add yourself to the recipient list.  If you always want to do so, set
the variable `mc-encrypt-for-me' to `t'.  (Note that Mailcrypt
overrides the PGP "encrypttoself" flag; use this variable instead.)

   If you provide an empty recipient list, Mailcrypt will ASCII-armor
the message without encrypting it.

   Once you have edited the recipient list to your satisfaction, type
`<RET>' to accept it.  You will then be asked whether you want to sign
the message; answer `y' or `n'.  You can avoid this question by setting
the variable `mc-pgp-always-sign':  A value of `t' means "yes", a value
of `'never' means "no".

   If you elect to sign the message, Mailcrypt will prompt you for the
appropriate passphrase unless it is cached (Note: Passphrase Cache).

   Mailcrypt will then pass the message to PGP for processing.
Mailcrypt will call the functions listed in `mc-pre-encryption-hook' and
`mc-post-encryption-hook' immediately before and after processing,
respectively.  The encrypted message will then replace the original
message in the buffer.  You can undo the encryption with the normal
Emacs undo command `C-x u' (Note: Emacs Undo.).

   If an error occurs, Mailcrypt will display an appropriate diagnostic.
If you do not have the public key for one of the specified recipients,
Mailcrypt will offer to try to fetch it for you (Note: Key Fetching).

   The default key for signing is the first one on the secret key ring
which matches the string `mc-pgp-user-id'; this defaults to
`(user-login-name)'.  Note that this differs from PGP's normal default,
which is to use the first of _all_ of the secret keys.  To mimic PGP's
behavior, set this variable to `""'. This variable is specific to pgp
2.6.x; `mc-pgp50-user-id' and `mc-gpg-user-id' are the corresponding
variables for pgp 5.0 and GnuPG.

   If you want to use a secret key other than your default for signing
the message, pass a prefix argument to `mc-encrypt'.  (That is, type
`C-u C-c / e'.)  Mailcrypt will prompt for a string and will sign with
the first key on your secret keyring which matches that string.  It will
be assumed that you want to sign the message, so you will not be
prompted.


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