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Create a New Key


Creates a new PGP encryption key for the current user. 


As normally each user needs only one key for all their encryptions and decryptions (unless they want to have different keys for different e-mail addresses), you probably will only need this menu option once. Warning: Creating and sending out more than one key for yourself may lead to confusion of you and others.


Steps:


Main Menu | Key Management | Create Your Own Key


A series of screens opens.

  1. Screen Introductory Text: Click Next
  2. Screen Enter user ID and passphrase
    1. Name: Enter the future name of the new key. This can be anything, but you should use something that identifies you unambiguously among the people that use your key.
    2. E-mail Address: Enter the e-mail address that will be used in connection with this key. This program relies on the accurate address.
    3. Additional Distinguisher: If your name leaves ambiguities who you are, put something into this field. E.g., if there are two John Does in your company, write "Accounting" to distinguish yourself from John Doe in Sales. Otherwise leave blank.
    4. Passphrase: ("Passphrase" is the new name for password, reminding you that a short password is not really safe and should be replaced by a longer, more complicated phrase.) A good passphrase includes upper and lower case letter, numbers and special characters. If you cannot think of a good phrase now, enter a simple word now and change the passphrase later.
      Enter the passphrase twice.
    5. Click Next.
  3. Screen Key Creation
    1. Just watch the indication of progress.
    2. After key creation, the screen automatically changes to the next screen.
  4. Screen: Finish. Click OK.