Decide for Yourself Who Can Open Your Files
Invented in 1991 by American cryptographer Phil Zimmermann, Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) has become one of the most widely recognized standards in the world for protecting sensitive data. For over thirty years, it has been used by companies, journalists, lawyers, researchers, government agencies, and cybersecurity experts to guarantee the confidentiality of exchanged information.
Unlike traditional encryption systems, PGP is built on a fundamental principle: the ability to decrypt a file belongs exclusively to the holder of the private key.
At OWL Transfer, all transfers already benefit from AES-256 encryption to protect data during transit and storage. The integration of zero-knowledge encryption adds an additional security layer by allowing you to remain in full control of your own encryption keys.
The essentials in seven questions
What is private encryption?
An option that encrypts your file in your browser, with your recipient's key. It relies on OpenPGP, an open standard used for more than thirty years.
When should I turn it on?
For sensitive transfers: contracts, personal data, client files. For everything else, automatic browser encryption is enough.
How does my recipient open the file?
With their private key if they have one. Otherwise, with a decryption code you give them yourself, by another means than the transfer.
What if the key or the code is lost?
The file can no longer be opened. Keep a copy of your private key somewhere safe.
Can OWL Transfer read my files?
No. Your account has its password, and your private key has its own passphrase, which we never receive. Two choices: we keep your private key for you, encrypted (still keep a copy of it), or you keep it yourself, and it is asked for each time you download a private file. Without your passphrase, your private files cannot be opened, OWL Transfer included.
Which technology?
Elliptic-curve keys (Curve25519), in the PGP standard format.
Which plans?
Paid plans. You create your private key in your account.
Why Add Private Encryption on Top of AES-256?
AES-256 encryption is today considered one of the most robust algorithms in the world. It effectively protects files against unauthorized access. It is implemented by the vast majority of file transfer platforms.
Private encryption does not replace AES-256: it complements it.
Its main difference lies in the management of encryption keys.
With a classic AES-256 setup, the service you use holds the keys needed to process your data.
With private encryption, the private key belongs to you.
This means that no one other than you can decrypt a document protected with that key: not OWL Transfer, not a system administrator, not a hosting provider, not any third party.
It's the difference between entrusting an object in a safe where someone else has a duplicate key... or using your own safe where you are the sole keyholder.
Most file transfer platforms rely exclusively on AES-256 encryption. OWL Transfer goes further by allowing users who wish to add private encryption, so they retain full control over their own decryption keys.
How Does PGP Work?
Private encryption is based on what is known as a cryptographic key pair.
This pair consists of a public key, used to encrypt files, and a private key, used exclusively to decrypt them.
The two keys are mathematically linked, but it is virtually impossible to derive the private key from the public key.
Even if a file were intercepted during transfer, it would remain completely unusable without the corresponding private key.
Creating Your Key Pair
To use private encryption, you need to create a key pair.
This generation is protected by a passphrase. This password protects your private key and will be used when unlocking it depending on the chosen mode of operation.
Two options are available: import your own key pair if you already have one, or automatically create a new key pair directly from OWL Transfer.
No particular technical knowledge is required to create a key pair from OWL Transfer.
Two Modes of Managing Your Private Key
Your private key is the most sensitive element of your security. OWL Transfer lets you choose between two modes of operation.
You keep your private key
Your private key is never stored on our servers.
It will be requested each time you receive a document protected by private PGP encryption.
This is the highest level of confidentiality.
Secure storage of your private key
You can also choose to store your private key in a secure form to automate sending and receiving.
This option improves ease of use while maintaining a high level of protection.
Private Encryption, Finally Simple to Use
Historically, PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) encryption was primarily reserved for experienced users.
Setting it up often required installing specialized software, manually generating keys, importing them, backing them up, and managing them.
OWL Transfer fully simplifies this process.
Creating a key pair, importing existing keys, and using them are all directly integrated into the platform, making private encryption accessible to the widest audience possible without sacrificing the security standards that have made its reputation.
Despite the constant evolution of encryption technologies, PGP remains one of the most widely recognized standards in the world. Its operation is based on proven cryptographic principles, widely studied and continuously audited by the international cybersecurity community.
This longevity, combined with its compatibility with the PGP standard, explains why PGP is still used today by many organizations to protect sensitive information.
Available with Premium Plans
Private encryption is available with Premium and Premium Plus plans.
Recipients do not need a paid subscription to receive or decrypt files sent to them.
With OWL Transfer, zero-knowledge encryption becomes accessible without the complexity usually associated with this technology. You benefit from a globally recognized security standard while retaining control of your cryptographic keys through an interface designed to be simple and intuitive.
Frequently Asked Questions about Private Encryption
Why use private encryption rather than simple AES-256 encryption?
AES-256 effectively protects data, but in many services, the encryption keys are managed by the provider. With private encryption, you own your private key. You thus retain control over access to your files, even when they pass through a third-party service.
Can OWL Transfer access my privately encrypted files?
No. When private PGP encryption is used, only the holder of the corresponding private key can decrypt the files. Depending on the management mode chosen, your private key remains exclusively under your control or is stored in a secure form enabling automatic use.
Do I need to create a key pair?
Yes. Private encryption requires a key pair consisting of a public key and a private key. You can import an existing key pair or generate one directly from OWL Transfer.
Why is a passphrase required?
When creating your key pair, a password (passphrase) protects your private key. Without this password, your private key cannot be used to decrypt protected files.
Do recipients need to subscribe to OWL Transfer to use private encryption?
No. The recipient can receive and decrypt a privately protected file without having a Premium subscription.
Why did OWL Transfer integrate private encryption?
Because security is not limited to data encryption: it also relies on control of decryption keys. By integrating zero-knowledge encryption, OWL Transfer allows users who wish to retain control of their private key while benefiting from a simple interface, without the technical constraints usually associated with this technology.
Why is PGP considered a security reference?
For over thirty years, PGP has been used worldwide to protect sensitive data. Its robustness is based on proven cryptographic algorithms, a widely recognized key management model, and open specifications continuously analyzed by the cybersecurity community.
Can I use private encryption without technical knowledge?
Yes. OWL Transfer simplifies the use of private encryption by directly integrating the creation, import, and management of key pairs into its interface. You thus benefit from the power of private PGP encryption without having to install specialized software or handle complex commands.
Is OWL Transfer compatible with PGP standards?
Yes. OWL Transfer implements the open PGP standard, derived from the PGP technology developed by Phil Zimmermann. This compatibility notably allows importing existing key pairs and ensures interoperability with major PGP-compatible software.