File formats:

Status:

PROPOSED STANDARD

Obsoletes:

RFC 1991, RFC 2440

Obsoleted by:

RFC 9580

Updated by:

RFC 5581

Authors:

J. Callas
L. Donnerhacke
H. Finney
D. Shaw
R. Thayer

Stream:

IETF

Source:

openpgp (sec)

Cite this RFC: TXT  |  XML  |   BibTeX

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.17487/RFC4880

Discuss this RFC: Send questions or comments to the mailing list openpgp@ietf.org

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Abstract

This document is maintained in order to publish all necessary information needed to develop interoperable applications based on the OpenPGP format. It is not a step-by-step cookbook for writing an application. It describes only the format and methods needed to read, check, generate, and write conforming packets crossing any network. It does not deal with storage and implementation questions. It does, however, discuss implementation issues necessary to avoid security flaws.

OpenPGP software uses a combination of strong public-key and symmetric cryptography to provide security services for electronic communications and data storage. These services include confidentiality, key management, authentication, and digital signatures. This document specifies the message formats used in OpenPGP. [STANDARDS-TRACK]

For the definition of Status, see RFC 2026.

For the definition of Stream, see RFC 8729.