Bash-Snippets: Crypt Tool

The crypt command is a convenient wrapper around the powerful openssl utility, designed to simplify the process of encrypting and decrypting files directly from your terminal. This tool is part of the Bash-Snippets collection, providing developers with essential command-line utilities for common tasks.

Using crypt, you can quickly secure sensitive data or decrypt files that have been previously encrypted. Its straightforward syntax makes file encryption and decryption accessible even for users less familiar with the intricacies of openssl.

File Encryption with Crypt

To encrypt a file, you use the -e flag followed by the input file and the desired output file name. This command will generate an encrypted version of your original file.

# Encrypt a file
crypt -e fileToEncrypt outputFile

File Decryption with Crypt

Decrypting a file is just as simple. Use the -d flag, specifying the encrypted file and the name for the decrypted output file. This will restore the original content of the file.

# Decrypt a file
crypt -d fileToDecrypt outputFile

Underlying Technology

The crypt tool leverages the robust cryptographic capabilities of openssl. This ensures that your encryption and decryption processes are secure and reliable, utilizing industry-standard algorithms.

Benefits of Using Crypt

• Simplicity: Easy-to-remember commands for encryption and decryption.
• Efficiency: Quickly secure or access your files without complex syntax.
• Security: Built upon the trusted openssl library for strong encryption.

Further Resources

• OpenSSL Enc Documentation
• Web Cryptography API (for web context)
• GNU Privacy Guard (GPG) - Another popular encryption tool.