---
title: "How to password protect a file in Linux"
source: "https://support.tools/post/password-protect-file/"
published: 2022-07-11
categories: ["Linux"]
tags: ["Linux"]
---


You can password-protect any type of file in Linux, which is useful if you want to store it in the cloud or carry it around in a USB stick.

# [Steps](#steps)
With Linux, we will encrypt a file using gpg, which is part of GnuPG.

```bash
gpg -c filename.txt
```

Consider the following scenario: I have a file called my-personal-info.txt

```bash
gpg -c my-personal-info.txt
```

Upon running the command, the following output is displayed:
    
```bash
$ gpg -c my-personal-info.txt 
Enter passphrase:
Repeat passphrase:
```

gpg has now created a file called my-personal-info.txt.gpg, which has been encrypted. The original file is still there, so you may want to erase it, transport only the encrypted file, or e-mail the encrypted file.

To decrypt a file just enter this command.

```bash
gpg -d my-personal-info.txt.gpg
```

A new copy of the file will be created after you enter your password or passphrase. The idea of storing passwords to important sites in this way is a good one.