Keysigning

This page is a resource for keysigning parties.

Intro

• You have a private key and a public key, which you generate (your keypair).
• People use your public key to send you encrypted messages that only you can open via the magic of crypto!
• You decrypt these messages with your private key, which only you have access to.
• But first, you must share your public key, either directly or by uploading it to a keyserver.
• If it's on a keyserver, they must download it from the keyserver.
• If it was a file, they can import it manually.
• Now they can sign the key and send the key back to the keyserver.
• But before anyone signs anyone elses key they have to make sure that person actually owns that key (checking physical ID).
• Now people can see that you believe that key to be valid, which improves the chances of it being a valid key! (web of trust)
• Now you're all set, but you also want to...
  • Generate a revokation certificate in case you lose your passphrase or your key is comprimised!

DETAILS

• For the keysigning party on Thurs 9/10 we will use the pgp.mit.edu keyserver
• PGP KEYSERVER EXAMPLE: gpg --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --send-key KEYIDHERE
• I will pass around copies of signatures so you can check people off as you confirm their identity
• I recommend using a valid state photo ID as a minimum validation. It is up to your personal "keysigning policy."

Links

• Keysigning commands
• Keysigning HOWTO
• Perl script to generate keyring list