PGP key management

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Most operations with PGP keys such as creation, import/export, message encryption can be done via the PGP Keys Wizard or main menu options but EssentialPIM also provides an advanced tool to manage PGP keys under Tools -> PGP Key Management.

 

PGP_management_keys

 

The main dialog window shows the list of available keys with their sub-keys and provides tools for keys managing.

 

Show keys from other people - when checked shows your own keys and imported Public keys from other people. When unchecked this shows your own keys only.

 

File

New Key - opens a dialog to create a new private and public keys pair.

 

PGP_new_key

 

This dialog offers the same options as the PGP Keys Wizard.

 

Import Keys - imports private and/or public keys from a file. Use this option to import public keys received from other people or to import backed up keys.

Export Public Key - exports your public key to a *.pgp file. Sending out such a file is one of the ways to distribute your public key to people you want to have secure correspondence with.

Export Public and Private Key - exports both your public and private keys to a file. Use this feature for backup purposes only and never share the exported file with anyone.

 

Edit

Copy Public Key into Clipboard - can be used to share your public key by pasting it into a message body as a text block. It will look like this:

 

PGP_key

 

Import Public key from Clipboard - opposite to the previous option. You can copy a public key into a clipboard (from a received email message, for instance) and then use this option to add it to your PGP keys storage.

Revoke key - applying this option makes the selected key no longer valid. Your public key will also have the "revoked" status and can no longer be used by other people to send you encrypted messages.

Matching Email Addresses - adds additional email addresses to a public key, so you could send encrypted messages to these addresses and the key issuer could decrypt it with his private key.

 

Actions

Email Public Key - creates a new message with your public key attached. An easy way to share your public key with others.