Current PGP versions

Current PGP versions

PGP exists in several different versions. If you are not sure which version is the right one for you, you may find help here. The following is a list of the most popular PGP versions available today:

PGP 2.3a

 This is the "classic" PGP version, and until recently, this was the version generally used by PGP users all over the world. You may still use PGP 2.3a if you want to, but you may experience problems when trying to process messages and keys generated with PGP 2.6 and later versions, or when using keys that are larger than 1280 bits (the maximum size is now 2048 bits). PGP 2.3a is presumably illegal to use within the USA because of patent restrictions.


PGP 2.6ui

This is an unofficial, "hacked" version of PGP 2.3a, which aimed at correcting the incompatibility problems introduced by MIT PGP 2.6. Please observe that PGP 2.6ui is not a "true" 2.6 version as it is based on the source code for PGP 2.3a, and as such does not include the improvements and bug fixes found in the newer versions. PGP 2.6ui was published by mathew in the UK, but is no longer supported.


MIT PGP 2.6.2

This is the latest official version of PGP, released by MIT and adapted (some would say mangled) for use in the USA. It is illegal to export from USA, but once exported anyone may use it freely. MIT-PGP normally generates messages in a format that cannot be read by PGP 2.3a and earlier versions. This version corrects a number of bugs found in PGP 2.6 and 2.6.1. If you are a US citizen, this is probably the PGP version you want.


PGP 2.6.2i

This is the latest international version of PGP, based on the source code for MIT PGP 2.6.2 and modified for international use. PGP 2.6.2i is published by Ståle Schumacher in Norway, and differs from MIT PGP 2.6.2 in the following ways: PGP 2.6.2i is the most flexible, up-to-date version of PGP available today. PGP 2.6.2i is probably illegal to use within the USA, so if you are a US citizen, you should use MIT PGP 2.6.2 instead. For more information on PGP 2.6.2i, and how to download a copy, refer to the International PGP Home Page.


ViaCrypt PGP 2.7.1

ViaCrypt PGP is a commercial version of PGP available in the US and Canada only. Phil Zimmermann says that no compromises in the cryptographic strength of PGP were made for ViaCrypt's version of PGP. The ViaCrypt PGP package includes program disks (executables only, no source code), a user manual, and an individual user license. The current release is available for MS-DOS, Macintosh and UNIX. There is a special version available which interfaces to CompuServe's CIM. Prices start at $100 for the DOS version.

To purchase ViaCrypt PGP or to find out more about it, you can contact:

ViaCrypt
2104 W. Peoria Avenue
Phoenix
AZ 85029
USA

Phone: 602-944-0773
Fax: 602-943-2601
Credit card orders 800-536-2664 (0800-1700 MST, Mon-Fri)
E-mail: <viacrypt@acm.org>

Last updated June 3, 1995 by Ståle Schumacher <staalesc@ifi.uio.no>