GPG & Evolution

From SobellWiki

Contents 1 GPG & Evolution 1.1 Setting up a GPG Key 1.2 Key Management

GPG & Evolution

requires the Gnu Privacy Guard package

sudo apt-get install gnupg

Setting up a GPG Key

http://www.dewinter.com/gnupg_howto/english/GPGMiniHowto-3.html

Create a key with

$ gpg --gen-key
gpg (GnuPG) 1.4.9; Copyright (C) 2008 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it.
There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

Please select what kind of key you want:
   (1) DSA and Elgamal (default)
   (2) DSA (sign only)
   (5) RSA (sign only)

Select 1, as it is the most widely used algorithm.

A keysize of 2048 bits is sufficient (press ENTER).

The next sections asks for a key duration:

Please specify how long the key should be valid.
         0 = key does not expire
      <n>  = key expires in n days
      <n>w = key expires in n weeks
      <n>m = key expires in n months
      <n>y = key expires in n years
Key is valid for? (0) 

I've chosen to make a permanent GPG key -- it will not expire. Select 0 (default) and/or press ENTER.

Now this key must be paired with a user. I've taken out the @ sign in my email address here so it doesn't get picked up by bots.

Real name: Max Ramond Sobell
Email address: max.sobellcs.nyu.edu
Comment: 
You selected this USER-ID:
    "Max Ramond Sobell <max.sobellcs.nyu.edu>"

You will have to enter a passphrase to actually use the key. This is very important. If the passkey is forgotten you will not be able to read messages encrypted with your pubkey and you will not be able to use the key to sign messages.

The computer will now collect random data based on system input. It is helpful to move the mouse around or type in another window while this is happening. Once the computer collects enough random data, your key will be created.

gpg: key DF565067 marked as ultimately trusted
public and secret key created and signed.
pub   1024D/DF565067 2009-11-29
      Key fingerprint = 48BF 0E7D 29CF 5C0A EA10  3384 3A22 467F DF56 5067
uid                  Max Ramond Sobell <max.sobell@cs.nyu.edu>
sub   2048g/7811AD4F 2009-11-29

Your key has now been created.

Key Management

Obtain the PGP/GPG Key ID using (again, I've removed the @ sign from email addresses to avoid bots):

$ gpg --fingerprint max.sobellcs.nyu.edu
pub   1024D/DF565067 2009-11-29
      Key fingerprint = 48BF 0E7D 29CF 5C0A EA10  3384 3A22 467F DF56 5067
uid                  Max Ramond Sobell <max.sobellcs.nyu.edu>
sub   2048g/7811AD4F 2009-11-29

The Key ID is the last 8 digits (4 bytes) of the key fingerprint. Mine is DF565067.