Why PGP isn't so ubiquitous (was NRC Session Hiss)
On 2 Jun 96 at 21:15, Lucky Green wrote:
That PGP is ubiquitous is subject to discussion. PGP is widely available, but that doesn't mean that it is widely used. What percentage of email is PGP encrypted? Less than half a percent?
In part because it's not well integrated with mailers. That could change with a PGP3 DLL. PGP isn't only used for email: o files distributed over the net that are PGP-signed o signed email o non-emailed file distributions (over BBS, or physical transfer of disks) o personal storage (though other utilities are better-suited for that than PGP) o related utilities that make use of PGP-keys (HPack archiver) The reasons PGP hasn't become widely used are because of it's lack of user-friendliness and poor integration into other tools, irregardless of S/MIME. Rob. --- No-frills sig. Befriend my mail filter by sending a message with the subject "send help" Key-ID: 5D3F2E99 1996/04/22 wlkngowl@unix.asb.com (root@magneto) AB1F4831 1993/05/10 Deranged Mutant <wlkngowl@unix.asb.com> Send a message with the subject "send pgp-key" for a copy of my key.
On Mon, 3 Jun 1996, Deranged Mutant wrote:
On 2 Jun 96 at 21:15, Lucky Green wrote:
That PGP is ubiquitous is subject to discussion. PGP is widely available, but that doesn't mean that it is widely used. What percentage of email is PGP encrypted? Less than half a percent?
In part because it's not well integrated with mailers. That could change with a PGP3 DLL.
I think that is the main reason PGP is not more common place. If it was seamlessly integrated with Windows software such as mailers I am sure it would be used widely. It will be interesting to see if this develops.
PGP isn't only used for email:
o files distributed over the net that are PGP-signed o signed email o non-emailed file distributions (over BBS, or physical transfer of disks) o personal storage (though other utilities are better-suited for that than PGP) o related utilities that make use of PGP-keys (HPack archiver)
The reasons PGP hasn't become widely used are because of it's lack of user-friendliness and poor integration into other tools
I think it is actually easy to use, although granted others may not; but that people tend not to use it as a matter of course (and it is my belief this is a desireable thing) due too the time taken to manually sign mail or sign and encrypt. Lets face it the average user has trouble with a dos command prompt and until there is a point and click emailer easily available most people just won't try PGP for email. It would also raise the general awareness of PGP and encryption and privacy issues I hope as it is my experience that outside the dedicated and the interested, very few have even heard of PGP or realise that their email may be read easily by persons other than the intended recipient. If this should occurr the horse would have bolted as far as any attempts at government outlawing its use; by and large; or at the very least would make it impossible to pass laws banning PGP without the public at large realising that they might possibly be loosing something which at the moment I doubt many would having never used encryption for email. -- .////. .// Charles Senescall apache@quux.apana.org.au o:::::::::/// apache@gil.com.au
::::::::::\\\ Finger me for PGP PUBKEY Brisbane AUSTRALIA '\\\\\' \\ http://quux.apana.org.au/~apache/
On Tue, 4 Jun 1996, TT wrote:
I think it is actually easy to use, although granted others may not; but that people tend not to use it as a matter of course (and it is my belief this is a desireable thing) due too the time taken to manually sign mail or sign and encrypt.
Correction: should read...it is my belief this is _not_ a desireable thing.. -- .////. .// Charles Senescall apache@quux.apana.org.au o:::::::::/// apache@gil.com.au
::::::::::\\\ Finger me for PGP PUBKEY Brisbane AUSTRALIA '\\\\\' \\ http://quux.apana.org.au/~apache/
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