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Version 1.0c (Mac OS X 1.0f) |
Generating Your Private Key
Before generating your private key, you must provide a passphrase that will be used to protect it being viewed by others.
You will type in your "passphrase" and select an appropriate key size as shown in the window below:

As with most things related to cryptography, the larger your key size the more secure it will be against various attacks. However, there is a performance cost for larger keys that is exponential in nature, so very large keys can take quite a while to be generated.
Be sure to enter your passphrase carefully as both entries must match before key generation can proceed and as with the key size mentioned above, you should select a passphrase that is not a single dictionary word or a phrase that may be easy for an attacker to guess.
After entering your passphrase you will proceed to the actual key generation phase. This requires no action on your part other than patience as your computer searches for two very large prime numbers that will be used to generate your public and private keys (the "key pair"). As the name implies, your private key should always be kept private. It is your public key that is given to others to allow them to communicate with you.
- Generating Your Private Key
- Exporting Your Public Key
- Importing Other Public Keys
- Sharing Files with Other Users
Click on one of these topics to see more information about that part of the setup process.