I want to email users an encrypted file from a Django Backend Script on Ubuntu

Question

I want to email users an encrypted file from a Django Backend Script (running through manage.py) on Ubuntu. How can I encrypt the data so that it is unreadable by 3rd parties who might intercept or even just read the email and will require a password string that I can supply to the end user via another method (not email.)

What encryption scheme and application for Django/Ubuntu can I use so that a doctor could easily decrypt the data from their PC/MAC?

Answer 1

PGP was invented for just this purpose.

EDIT: you might also consider the free (as in freedom), open-source project GPG which is the same standard, just free :)

Answer 2

As Scott mentioned, you can use GPG to encrypt the data. See also the Python bindings you can choose from to interface. To send email from Django (backend script or not), read the docs.

Answer 3

http://code.google.com/p/django-email-extras/