Keyring...no usable private keys

[neh]

I've just downloaded a freeware version of PGP. I've read two tutorials online and it sounds like it should be simple enough. When I try to decrypt a message a box pops up saying "1 unknown(s) keys." It also says, "It is not possible to decrypt this message because your keyring does not contain usable private key(s) corresponding to any of the above public key(s). Thanks for any assistance.

neh

 

[AHinMaine]

did you create your keys after you installed it?

--
Andy

http://www.nachoz.com

 

[neh]

After installing PGP, a key for myself was automatically created. I created other keys for the people I planned to e-mail, after installation.

I was under the impression that when I sent an e-mail with PGP, that it would ask me for a (forgive me for not knowing the correct terminology) word (passphrase?) to have the recipient use to decrypt my e-mail. It wouldn't process my request unless I gave the passphrase they said never to give out.

Thanks for your help!

 

[AHinMaine]

You don't create keys for other people. Other people *send* you their public keys and you add them to your public keyring. You need to associate the public key you got from the person which varies between mua's, typically it is done in the addressbook/contacts section.

--
Andy

http://www.nachoz.com

 

[neh]

Andy, thanks for replying. I understood that there was 2 ways to get someone's public key...have them send it, or request it from the server. I did the latter. I believe I misled you by using the word, "create."

I can make this work through "conventional encryption," but not without it.

 

[AHinMaine]

Hmm, odd... Grab my key and try sending me something. ah49@httpsite.com

--
Andy

http://www.nachoz.com