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## Understanding GpgFrontend
-**What is GpgFrontend?** GpgFrontend is a user-friendly, cross-platform tool
-designed to facilitate the use of OpenPGP encryption, making it easier for
-individuals to protect their privacy and secure their communications.
+### What is GpgFrontend?
-**What can I do with GpgFrontend?** Beyond basic encryption and decryption,
-GpgFrontend supports digital signatures to verify the integrity and origin of
-messages. Users can manage and generate key pairs, encrypt files and emails, and
-sign their communications for added security.
+A user-friendly, cross-platform tool for OpenPGP encryption, making it easy to
+protect your privacy and secure your communications.
-**How can I obtain and start using GpgFrontend?** You can download the latest
-version of GpgFrontend from [GpgFrontend's Downloads Page](/overview/downloads) and
-choose the installation method for your platform.
+### What can I do with GpgFrontend?
-**How do I update GpgFrontend to the latest version?** You can always get the
-latest stable or nightly release from the Downloads Page. On Windows, simply run
-the new installer. On macOS and Linux, replace the old app or AppImage with the
-new version. Your settings and keys will be preserved unless noted otherwise in
-the release notes.
+Beyond basic encryption and decryption, you can generate/manage key pairs,
+encrypt files and emails, and use digital signatures to verify integrity and
+origin.
+
+## Getting and Updating GpgFrontend
+
+### How can I obtain and start using GpgFrontend?
+
+You can download the latest version of GpgFrontend from [GpgFrontend's Downloads
+Page](/overview/downloads) and choose the installation method for your platform.
+
+### How do I update GpgFrontend to the latest version?
+
+You can always get the latest stable or nightly release from the Downloads Page.
+On Windows, simply run the new installer. On macOS and Linux, replace the old
+app or AppImage with the new version. Your settings and keys will be preserved
+unless noted otherwise in the release notes.
## OpenPGP and GnuPG Explained
-**How do OpenPGP and GnuPG relate?** OpenPGP serves as a standardized protocol
-for encrypting and decrypting data, which GpgFrontend supports. GnuPG, or GPG,
-implements the OpenPGP standard, providing the necessary cryptographic
-functions. GpgFrontend leverages GnuPG for operations like encryption,
-decryption, and key management.
+### How do OpenPGP and GnuPG relate?
-**Which operating systems does GpgFrontend support?** GpgFrontend is a
-cross-platform application that supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it
-accessible to nearly all users for their privacy and data protection needs.
+OpenPGP serves as a standardized protocol for encrypting and decrypting data,
+which GpgFrontend supports. GnuPG, or GPG, implements the OpenPGP standard,
+providing the necessary cryptographic functions. GpgFrontend leverages GnuPG for
+operations like encryption, decryption, and key management.
-## Troubleshooting GnuPG Installation Issues
+### Which operating systems does GpgFrontend support?
-**Encountering 'GnuPG not installed correctly'?** This issue typically arises
-when GpgFrontend cannot locate GnuPG on your system. Here are steps to address
-this based on your operating system:
+GpgFrontend is a cross-platform application that supports Windows, macOS, and
+Linux, making it accessible to nearly all users for their privacy and data
+protection needs.
-### For macOS Users
+### Why the Need for GnuPG?
-- **Install GnuPG for OSX** from
- [here](https://sourceforge.net/p/gpgosx/docu/Download/), or install
- GpgFrontend using Homebrew with `brew install --cask gpgfrontend`.
-- If GnuPG is installed in a custom location, please tell GpgFrontend where the
- gpgconf binary it is at GnuPG Controller.
+GpgFrontend itself does not handle direct encryption or decryption; it requires
+GnuPG for these operations. This design choice ensures higher security, allowing
+users to rely on their own verified version of GnuPG.
-### For Linux Users
+### Can I use keys/data from other OpenPGP software??
-- Install GnuPG via your package manager (apt, yum, etc.).
-- If GnuPG is installed in a custom location, please tell GpgFrontend where the
- gpgconf binary it is at GnuPG Controller.
+Yes—as long as your keys and encrypted data are in a format accepted by GnuPG
+(GPG), they can be used with GpgFrontend. GpgFrontend relies on GnuPG for all
+OpenPGP operations, so compatibility is determined by what GnuPG supports. Most
+keys and data produced by standard-compliant GPG or PGP programs will work
+seamlessly.
-### For Windows Users
+## Troubleshooting GnuPG Installation Issues
-- The latest GpgFrontend versions include GnuPG. It's recommended to download
- the most recent GpgFrontend version.
-- Alternatively, download GnuPG from
- [here](https://www.gnupg.org/ftp/gcrypt/binary/gnupg-w32-2.4.0_20221216.exe)
- and reinstall if necessary.
+### What if I see "GnuPG not installed correctly"?
-### Additional Assistance
+This issue typically arises when GpgFrontend cannot locate GnuPG on your system.
+Here are steps to address this based on your operating system:
-- For more detailed guidance, refer to the quick start manual available at
- [Getting Started Guide](/overview/getting-started).
+- For macOS Users: Install GpgFrontend using Homebrew with `brew install --cask gpgfrontend`.
+- For Linux Users: Install GnuPG via your package manager (apt, yum, etc.).
+- For Windows Users: New versions include GnuPG; or get it
+ [here](https://www.gnupg.org/ftp/gcrypt/binary/).
-## Reporting Bugs and Contributing
+### Where can I find more help?
-**Found a bug?** If you encounter any issues with GpgFrontend, please report
-them via the GitHub repository. You can also contact me directly if you're not
-on GitHub; see the [Contact](/overview/contact) section for details.
+For more detailed guidance, refer to the quick start manual available at
+[Getting Started Guide](/overview/getting-started).
-**Interested in contributing?** Feel free to modify GpgFrontend's code and
-submit a Pull Request with your enhancements. You can also send patches via
-email if you prefer to contribute anonymously.
+## Key and File Management
-## Why the Need for GnuPG?
+### How do I import or export keys in GpgFrontend?
-**Importance of Installing GnuPG** GpgFrontend itself does not handle direct
-encryption or decryption; it requires GnuPG for these operations. This design
-choice ensures higher security, allowing users to rely on their own verified
-version of GnuPG.
+Use the Key Management section to import or export public/private keys. You can
+also drag-and-drop key files directly into the application's Key ToolBox.
-## Understanding Nightly Versions
+### Can I encrypt and decrypt files as well as text?
-A Nightly version is an automatically generated, experimental build of
-GpgFrontend that may include the latest features, urgent fixes, and changes that
-are still being tested. Nightly builds are less stable than official releases,
-may introduce breaking changes without notice, and are not GPG-signed. They are
-ideal for users who want early access and are willing to help test, but not
-recommended for production use. For integrity, please verify the provided SHA256
-checksums. Your feedback is invaluable—please report any issues or suggestions
-on GitHub to help improve future stable releases.
+Yes, GpgFrontend supports both text and file encryption/decryption. Use the
+dedicated file options in the main interface to protect or unlock files.
-## Security and Privacy
+## Nightly & Experimental Versions
-**How does GpgFrontend ensure my communications are secure?** GpgFrontend uses
-GnuPG to implement the OpenPGP standard, securing your data with robust
-encryption algorithms to prevent unauthorized access. It supports public and
-private key encryption methods, ensuring only intended recipients can decrypt
-and read your messages.
+### What are Nightly versions?
-## Importing and Exporting Keys
+Automatically generated experimental builds with new features/fixes under
+testing. Less stable than official releases, may have breaking changes, and are
+not GPG-signed. Not recommended for production. Always verify the SHA256
+checksum. Please report feedback/issues on GitHub.
-**How do I import or export keys in GpgFrontend?** Use the Key Management
-section to import or export public/private keys. You can also drag-and-drop key
-files directly into the application's Key ToolBox.
+## Password, PIN, and Security
-## File Encryption and Decryption
+### How does GpgFrontend handle passphrases or PINs?
-**Can I encrypt and decrypt files as well as text?** Yes, GpgFrontend supports both
-text and file encryption/decryption. Use the dedicated file options in the main
-interface to protect or unlock files.
+GpgFrontend never processes or stores your GPG key passphrases or smart card
+PINs. All PIN entry is securely handled by GnuPG’s pinentry, independent from
+GpgFrontend.
-## Compatibility With Other OpenPGP Software
+For app-specific encryption (e.g., KeyPackage), passphrases/PINs are used only
+in memory and immediately cleared. Advanced users can enable PIN caching and
+adjust security levels.
-**Can I use keys and encrypted data created in other OpenPGP software?** Yes—as
-long as your keys and encrypted data are in a format accepted by GnuPG (GPG),
-they can be used with GpgFrontend. GpgFrontend relies on GnuPG for all OpenPGP
-operations, so compatibility is determined by what GnuPG supports. Most keys and
-data produced by standard-compliant GPG or PGP programs will work seamlessly.
+### Can lost passwords or keys be recovered?
-## Supported Languages
+No, for your security, neither GpgFrontend nor the developer can recover lost
+passwords or private keys. Make sure to back up your private key and remember
+your passphrase!
-**Is GpgFrontend available in my language?** GpgFrontend supports multiple
-languages. You can change the display language from the `Settings > General`
-tab. Want to help translate? See the [contribution
-guide](/appendix/translate-interface) on GitHub!
+### How does GpgFrontend ensure secure communications?
-## Password & PIN Handling
+It uses GnuPG to implement OpenPGP with robust encryption algorithms. Only
+intended recipients can decrypt your messages.
-**How does GpgFrontend handle passphrases or PINs?**
+## Smart Card Support
-GpgFrontend does not process or store your GPG key passphrases or smart card
-PINs. All password and PIN entry for GPG keys is securely handled by the GnuPG
-pinentry component, which operates independently of GpgFrontend. GpgFrontend
-never sees, intercepts, or retains your passphrases or PINs.
+### Does GpgFrontend support OpenPGP smart cards or tokens?
-For application-specific encryption features (such as KeyPackage protection),
-passphrases or PINs are used only in memory for cryptographic operations and
-immediately cleared afterward. Advanced users can enable PIN caching for these
-features, and adjust security levels for maximum protection.
+Yes, if your GnuPG supports smart cards. Manage your smart cards directly via
+the SmartCard Controller.
-**Can lost passwords or keys be recovered?** No, for your security, neither
-GpgFrontend nor the developer can recover lost passwords or private keys. Make
-sure to back up your private key and remember your passphrase!
+## Language Support
-## Using GpgFrontend With Smart Cards
+### Is GpgFrontend available in my language?
-**Does GpgFrontend support OpenPGP smart cards or tokens?** Yes, GpgFrontend
-supports smart card operations (such as viewing, key generation, and signing) if
-your GnuPG installation is configured for smart card support. Users can manage
-their OpenPGP smart cards directly using the SmartCard Controller within
-GpgFrontend.
+GpgFrontend supports multiple languages. You can change the display language
+from the `Settings > General` tab. Want to help translate? See the [contribution
+guide](/appendix/translate-interface) on GitHub!
## Privacy Policy
-**What data does GpgFrontend collect?** GpgFrontend does not collect or transmit
-any personal or usage data. All cryptographic operations are performed locally.
-Update checks can be disabled, and no tracking or analytics are built in.
+### What data does GpgFrontend collect?
+
+GpgFrontend does not collect or transmit any personal or usage data. All
+cryptographic operations are performed locally. Update checks can be disabled,
+and no tracking or analytics are built in.
+
+## Bugs, Feedback, and Feature Requests
+
+### How can I request a new feature?
+
+You can suggest new features by opening an issue on GitHub or contacting the
+maintainer directly.
+
+### Found a bug?
+
+If you encounter any issues with GpgFrontend, please report them via the GitHub
+repository. You can also contact me directly if you're not on GitHub; see the
+[Contact](/overview/contact) section for details.
-## Feature Requests
+### Interested in contributing?
-**How can I request a new feature?** You can suggest new features by opening an
-issue on GitHub or contacting the maintainer directly.
+Feel free to modify GpgFrontend's code and submit a Pull Request with your
+enhancements. You can also send patches via email if you prefer to contribute
+anonymously.