encryption algorithm

[Matt D]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

On 12/17/2013 11:09 AM, Daniel Kahn Gillmor wrote:
> Hi Matt--
> 
> On 12/17/2013 10:07 AM, Matt D wrote:
>> Hi!  What encryption algorithm do we use in OpenPGP
> 
> OpenPGP has "algorithm agility", meaning that it's possible to use 
> different encryption algorithms at different times in the same 
> cryptographic framework.  encrypted OpenPGP messages are generally
> also "hybrid" messages -- that is, the bulk of the message is
> encrypted with a symmetric encryption algorithm (using a random
> key), and that random key is encrypted to the recipient's public
> key using an asymmetric algorithm.

Please excuse my ignorance but I have a question after looking at the
list. It is my impression that I can choose an algorithm for my
machine and whoever else I communicate with can choose another
algorithm.  Is this correct?   Why would anyone choose AES-128 instead
of something more secure, say AES-256?
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
Version: GnuPG v2.0.21 (GNU/Linux)
Comment: MacGPG2 - http://www.gpgtools.org/macgpg2.html
Comment: Using GnuPG with Thunderbird - http://www.enigmail.net/

iQEcBAEBAgAGBQJSsHxdAAoJECrdp7MWSIVb3icH/RgbWzDfDA/exNyu/Qt2+DPh
1kiEjxsRCxNlvhzLIvafvqgCHvqAtrq+BcqSiFSfY37FQymm02mAeEpExPmDSnHT
K3MH361++55ur/53WjQZpfw/4T+40PzTukSGMupCSWS82x2osw4upbPDixZcTwXo
byXaBcjdaXPza7W84LxBfQDXd3l1VyX0kwF51spXUrQ9TyrYIyzjDU4e/teUVaY1
HopB95dRLlT+SEih2f5lemPeRGvnd7D40cFXfiseLxRcsb3SPtAQ6keHGWz7xuRl
5juYws4xXTuZVBm4N8Euft/DNmi8SuSjc6iuALCpAYztTFId9q6AQLOumK9N7rk=
=WISY
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----