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I am using Thunderbird with EnigMAIL, have my own keys generated, and downloaded the receivers public key. Now when I send the e-mail, I understand that my system encrypts the message using THEIR public key, resulting in only THEM being able to decrypt it.

Why does my TB ask for my password phrase?

From the Thunderbird documentation:

Sending a digitally signed and / or encrypted email [...] - If your email address is associated with a PGP key, the message will be encrypted with that key. If the email address is not associated with a PGP key, you will be prompted to select a key from a list. [...]

That is the point I do not understand, why would it need my password phrase when sending the mail? I thought it would need only the receivers pub key to do so, or is there something else to it?

SinisterMJ
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1 Answers1

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You are not only encrypting the message with the user their public key, but also with your own private key. This way, you can ensure only the intended receiver can read the email and the receiver is sure only you could have sent the email.

Jory Geerts
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