Decrypting content

This wiki page will explain how to decrypt a DPL file that has been generated by the Data Padlock add-on. For more information on encrypting content, please refer to the Encrypting Content page on this wiki.

To decrypt content, you must first open the add-on. This can be done from the Data Padlock button on your Firefox toolbar. If you don't see this button, please refer to the Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars page on the Firefox support website for further information on how to add buttons to your toolbar.

Once the add-on is open, select the "Decrypt Data" option from the main menu.

If you have not done so already, you will be asked to review and agree to the End-User License Agreement and Privacy Policy associated with the Data Padlock add-on. Once you have done so, you will be returned to the decryption page.

To add a DPL file to be decrypted, drag and drop a file into the dashed box or press the "Select File..." button to select one from your computer. This must be a DPL file that was generated using the Data Padlock add-on or it cannot be loaded by the add-on.

Once you have added the file you want to decrypt, you must enter a password. This is the password that you originally entered when you encrypted the content. If you have forgetten the password, you will not be able to decrypt your data. NO ONE AFFILIATED WITH DATA PADLOCK CAN RECOVER YOUR DATA IF YOU FORGET YOUR PASSWORD.

When you have entered the correct password, press the "Decrypt" button.

If the password that you entered was correct, a confirmation screen will appear. This screen will have information about when the data was originally encrypted and a "Save" button will be available for you to save the unencrypted original file to your computer. If the DPL file that you decrypted was originally a text-based message, not a file, the message will be displayed. Pressing the "Save" button will save that message to your computer was a TXT file.

If this encrypted data was shared with you, it's important to remember that it may contain sensitive information. You should use caution to make sure that you handle the decrypted data safely and should consider the privacy of the data involved when sharing the data with other parties.