Encrypting Gmail with JavaScript

JavaScriptSearch
Thursday, June 1, 2006; 07:37 AM

Mark Langenhoven unveiled a method for encrypting Gmail messages on his website at  http://mark.langenhoven.com/ .  The method relies on the Greasemonkey extension and allows users of the Firefox browser to secure their email from unwanted attention.

Gmail Encryption is a 45KB .js file that can be freely downloaded at the author's website.  It can be used only with the Greasemonkey extension, which allows for  additional functionality in the Firefox browser via inclusion of external JavaScript code.  More information about Greasemonkey is available at http://greasemonkey.mozdev.org/ . 

The encryption method relies on the public key approach.  More information about public key encyption is available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public-key_cryptography.

The encryption is not NSA-proof, warns the author, so using Gmail Encryption to cover up illegal activities may lead to visits by "some bulky guys ...in a black SUV." Forewarned is forearmed.