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In-depth articles on PGP, encryption fundamentals, and operational security. Written for technical readers who want to understand what is actually happening, not just which buttons to press.

• 8 min read · 2026-01-12

  How PGP works — a plain-English explainer

  PGP combines asymmetric and symmetric encryption to send private messages without ever sharing a secret. Here is what actually happens under the hood.

• 6 min read · 2026-01-19

  Why client-side crypto matters

  Server-side "encrypted" services still see your plaintext. Client-side crypto removes the server from the trust boundary entirely. Here is why that distinction is the whole game.

• 7 min read · 2026-02-02

  Argon2id vs PBKDF2: which key derivation function should you use?

  Both stretch a password into an encryption key, but they cost attackers very different amounts of money. Argon2id is the modern default; PBKDF2 is the compatible fallback.

• 5 min read · 2026-02-15

  How to verify a PGP signature, and why you should

  A signature on a release file is only useful if you actually check it. Here is the 30-second workflow, and what each step is really proving.

• 4 min read · 2026-03-01

  Air-gap mode: what it does, and what it does not

  A toggle in the corner of the app blocks every outbound network request. Here is the threat model it covers and the one it does not.

• 9 min read · 2026-03-15

  Setting up PGP for journalists: a practical 30-minute guide

  Sources contact journalists through whatever channel feels safe. PGP is one of the few that survives a subpoena. Here is the minimum setup that actually works.

• 5 min read · 2026-04-05

  How to encrypt an email with PGP — a 5-minute tutorial

  Sending your first encrypted email is faster than most guides make it look. Here is the minimal flow with no software install — just your browser.

• 6 min read · 2026-04-12

  How to import and verify a public key

  Anyone can claim to publish a PGP public key. Verifying it before you encrypt prevents you from sending secrets to the wrong person. Here is the workflow.

• 7 min read · 2026-04-19

  OpenPGP key types explained: RSA vs Curve25519 vs P-384

  Modern OpenPGP supports three key families. Each has different speed, size, and compatibility tradeoffs. Here is how to pick.

• 7 min read · 2026-04-26

  Backing up PGP keys safely

  Lose your private key and your encrypted history is unrecoverable. Steal a careless backup and your encrypted history is exposed. Here is how to back up without compromising either side.