Autocrypt

Autocrypt is an email encryption standard that aims to make secure email communication more accessible and easier to use. It promotes the automatic setup and management of encryption keys, simplifying the process for both technical and non-technical users. The goal of Autocrypt is to encourage wider adoption of end-to-end email encryption by reducing the complexity typically associated with manually configuring and managing cryptographic keys.

Key principles of Autocrypt include:

• Simplicity: Autocrypt is designed to be as user-friendly as possible, hiding the complexities of encryption from the average user.
• Automatic Key Exchange: Autocrypt implementations automatically exchange encryption keys between users when they send and receive emails. This eliminates the need for manual key exchange, which can be a significant barrier to adoption.
• Opportunistic Encryption: Autocrypt encourages encryption whenever possible. If both sender and receiver support Autocrypt, messages are automatically encrypted. If only one party supports Autocrypt, the email may be sent in plaintext with suggestions for the recipient to enable Autocrypt.
• Transition Period: Autocrypt supports a gradual transition to encrypted email by allowing users to initially send and receive both encrypted and unencrypted messages. This provides a smoother user experience and allows users to familiarize themselves with the process.
• Header-Based Configuration: Autocrypt configuration information is stored in email headers, allowing email clients to automatically configure encryption settings.

Autocrypt builds upon established encryption standards like PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) and S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) but seeks to address the usability issues that have hindered their widespread adoption. By automating key management and promoting opportunistic encryption, Autocrypt aims to make secure email communication the default, rather than the exception.