Kleopatra is the KDE tool for managing X.509 and OpenPGP certificates in the GpgSM and GPG keyboxes and for retrieving certificates from LDAP and other certificate servers.
Kleopatra’s main function is to display and edit the contents of the local keybox, which is similar to GPG’s concept of keyrings, albeit one should not stretch this analogy too much. Part of the KDE ecosystem, it provides an accessible interface for managing encryption keys, signing and verifying data, and encrypting or decrypting files and emails.
This is free and open source software.
Features include:
- Key management:
- Create, Import, Export Keys: Users can create new public and private encryption keys, import existing ones, and export keys to share with others.
- Key Servers: Kleopatra can connect to public key servers, allowing users to look up and import public keys from others or upload their own public keys to make them available globally.
- LDAP and WKD: Aside from key servers, Kleopatra can also connect to LDAP and WKD (Web Key Directory) servers and fetch certificates from there.
- Trust and Expiry Management: Users can set trust levels for keys and manage expiration dates to ensure only trusted keys are in use.
- Data encryption and decryption:
- Encrypt Files and Texts: With Kleopatra, users can encrypt files and texts to protect the content and ensure it is only accessible by recipients with the correct private key.
- Decrypt Content: It supports decryption for files, text and emails, making it easy for users to access data they received securely.
- Digital Signatures: Kleopatra lets users sign files or notes with their private key, which helps verify the authenticity of the sender and integrity of the data.
- Support for OpenPGP and S/MIME
- OpenPGP: Commonly used in personal and enterprise settings for encrypting and signing emails and files. Kleopatra provides full support for creating, managing, and using OpenPGP certificates.
- S/MIME: Often used in enterprise environments for email security. Kleopatra supports S/MIME certificates, enabling it to handle encryption and signing based on the CMS standard.
- Support for OpenPGP and PIV Smartcards:
- Manage your Smartcard: Kleopatra lets users change their the PIN and PUK code of the smartcard, change metadata like the cardholder’s name, copy existing private keys to the card and even generate directly new keys on the card.
- Authentification Keys: Create and use authentification keys from smartcards for SSH logins and more.
- Compatibility: Kleopatra is compatible with Yubikey, Gnuk and other cards without the need for extra device drivers.
- Integration and Usability
- User-friendly interface:
- Graphical Interface: Kleopatra provides a GUI to manage cryptographic tasks, which is beneficial for users unfamiliar with command-line tools like GPG.
- Notepad: Encrypt, decrypt and verify texts with the Notepad. Copy and paste encrypted text to possibly insecure or unreliable messaging and chat services.
- Alerts: Kleopatra notifies users about key status, trust levels, and any potential issues, providing insights for users to manage security settings appropriately.
- Configuration: Configure Kleopatra to your needs. kleopatra’s configurations can be centrally configured to meet organizational requirements.
Website: apps.kde.org/kleopatra
Support: Code Repository
Developer: Andrew Heinecke and contributors
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
Kleopatra is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Return to GUI File Encryption Tools
| Popular series | |
|---|---|
 | The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. |
 | Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. |
 | The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions. |
 | Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS. |
 | Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. |
 | Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. |
 | New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. |
 | Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. |
 | Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. |
 | Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. |
 | Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. |
 | Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. |
 | Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. |
 | Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. |
 | Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. |
 | Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. |
 | Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. |
 | Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. |
 | These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! |
 | These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. |
 | Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. |
 | Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. |