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[GPG] System-wide public key?

 
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# 1  
Old 02-05-2010
[GPG] System-wide public key?
We need to have many of our users all send encrypted files to a single FTP server. The problem, if I understand how encryption/decryption works (which I don't), is that each user would normally have their own private and public key. The other end needs to be able to decrypt the file(s) using a single public key. How do I generate and use a key like this?

Thanks!
# 2  
Old 02-05-2010
You've got 2 possibilities:
  • Use symmetric encryption/decryption. That way you'll need only 1 password.
  • If you really want to use asymmetric keys, generate 1 private key (needed for decryption), and multiple public keys (needed for encryption). Generally, it's a lot easier to generate multiple public keys for a given private than the other way round, since you usually calculate the private key first, and derive the public from that.
# 3  
Old 02-05-2010
I apologize for being a bit dense, but I don't understand how this would work. Do you maybe have a procedure to pull off the latter? I don't think the symmetric mode will do what we need.

One thing I neglected to mention is that we do have the remote server's public key. We are expected to send them a "trusted and signed" public key back to them.

Thanks much!!
# 4  
Old 02-05-2010
It might help if you can describe what you're trying to accomplish, instead of having us fish for information. That way we might be able to solve the problem instead of just the symptoms.
# 5  
Old 02-05-2010
We are required to encrypt data files and then SFTP them to a processor. The processor will need to decrypt said data files and process them.

Thanks!
# 6  
Old 02-05-2010
Again, please tell us as much about what you need as you can. From what you've posted:
  • You have the public key of someone else
  • You need to send them encrypted files
The later can be done, as you have the former. You are required to send them a public key. Why? Probably because you need to sign the data you send. But how, and with what authority, should your public key be signed? How do you transmit the data, automatically, or by hand? Would you sign & encrypt it automatically or by hand?

Sorry for all those questions, but my crystal ball has been sent to the repair shop...
# 7  
Old 02-05-2010
Quote:
Originally Posted by pludi
Again, please tell us as much about what you need as you can. From what you've posted:
  • You have the public key of someone else
  • You need to send them encrypted files
The later can be done, as you have the former.
I did not realize that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pludi
You are required to send them a public key. Why? Probably because you need to sign the data you send.
I presume this is the case.

Is "signing" different than "encrypting"?

Quote:
Originally Posted by pludi
But how, and with what authority, should your public key be signed?
They do not specify. What would the options be here?

Quote:
Originally Posted by pludi
How do you transmit the data, automatically, or by hand? Would you sign & encrypt it automatically or by hand?
Both will be done via script.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pludi
Sorry for all those questions, but my crystal ball has been sent to the repair shop...
No problem. I appreciate your input.
 
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