I’ve written many times about GnuPG and other programs that support the OpenPGP standard (the last time here). I really, really wish that everyone would start using it. That would certainly put a crimp in the NSA’s operations.
Over at Digital Era, a site dedicated to discussing tools and methods for protecting our digital privacy, there is a nice tutorial on using GnuPG. The tutorial assumes you’re using Linux but the information is applicable to most Operating systems that support GnuPG. It’s well worth a look if you haven’t yet installed GnuPG or similar system.
Of course, getting Linux users to start using GnuPG is a lot easier than getting your Aunt Millie to start encrypting her email but that’s what’s required to get the NSA and other snoopers out of our email. Nonetheless, it’s a necessary first step: Today email; tomorrow our phones.