LinuxQuestions.org
Welcome to the most active Linux Forum on the web.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Security
User Name
Password
Linux - Security This forum is for all security related questions.
Questions, tips, system compromises, firewalls, etc. are all included here.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 01-06-2006, 08:17 PM   #1
microsoft/linux
Senior Member
 
Registered: May 2004
Location: Sebec, ME, USA
Distribution: Debian Etch, Windows XP Home, FreeBSD
Posts: 1,445
Blog Entries: 9

Rep: Reputation: 48
recovering my GPG key?


I had my GPG password stored in a text file on my PDA, until I memorized it. Somehow, my text file got deleted, and I need to be able to get my password back. Is there a way? I don't want to do another key, becuase I've just gotten this one configured. Please?
 
Old 01-07-2006, 07:39 AM   #2
rolsch
LQ Newbie
 
Registered: Jul 2004
Location: Berlin, Germany
Distribution: Debian Sarge, Fedora Core 4, Suse 9.1
Posts: 13

Rep: Reputation: 0
Sorry to say that, but there is no way to "recover" your password. This is the whole idea behind gpg, _not_ to be able to generate the password (passphrase) from your encrypted data or public/private key.

There is a way to generate a new passphrase, but for that you have to supply your old passphrase.

I hope you generated a revocation certificate to invalidate your (now useless) keypair. This is necessary to make sure your old public key will not be used in the future by accident.

It is always a good idea to make a backup copy of your passphrase. One advise is to print out your passphrase on paper and store it in a safe place where only you have access to.
 
Old 01-07-2006, 04:31 PM   #3
microsoft/linux
Senior Member
 
Registered: May 2004
Location: Sebec, ME, USA
Distribution: Debian Etch, Windows XP Home, FreeBSD
Posts: 1,445

Original Poster
Blog Entries: 9

Rep: Reputation: 48
ok...bummer. I didn't generate a revocation certificate, I didn't know I should have. So basically I have to generate a key?
 
Old 01-07-2006, 04:38 PM   #4
gilead
Senior Member
 
Registered: Dec 2005
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Distribution: Slackware64 14.0
Posts: 4,141

Rep: Reputation: 168Reputation: 168
The docs at the GPG mini HOWTO are pretty good - and yes it's correct that you can't retrieve the passphrase.
 
Old 01-07-2006, 04:48 PM   #5
microsoft/linux
Senior Member
 
Registered: May 2004
Location: Sebec, ME, USA
Distribution: Debian Etch, Windows XP Home, FreeBSD
Posts: 1,445

Original Poster
Blog Entries: 9

Rep: Reputation: 48
and there's porbably no way to make a revocation certificate since I don't have the passphrase anymore? Alright...
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
problem with gpg key kpachopoulos *BSD 5 04-17-2007 01:32 PM
gpg primary key doctor_sniff Linux - Software 3 06-11-2005 09:55 AM
how do i install a gpg key? jaan kaer Linux - Newbie 9 07-31-2004 02:06 PM
GPG Data, Secret Key but no Public Key? Aeiri Linux - Software 5 07-20-2004 06:00 PM
what is gpg-key salahuddin_66 Slackware 3 05-18-2004 03:10 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Security

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:53 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration