Key Becomes Unverified after Importing and Signing the Key

Products

• Symantec Products

Issue/Introduction

After importing and signing a recipient's PGP public key in PGP Desktop, encrypting a file or email to the recipient's key fails. When viewing the public key in PGP Keys it no longer shows as Verified .

 

Resolution

This can occur when the key has a keyserver in its properties that is not accessible over the Internet and the PGP Options are configured to Synchronize with keyservers daily. If the key fails to synchronize with the keyserver, the key becomes unverified.

To determine if the key has a preferred keyserver associated with it, double-click the key in PGP Keys and then check for a keyserver in the properties of the key.

This is resolved by removing the option to Synchronize with keyservers daily in the Options of PGP Desktop.

To disable the keyserver synchronization option:

 

1. Right-click the PGP Tray icon in the Windows System tray.
2. Select Options. The PGP Options are displayed.
3. Click the Keys tab.
4. Remove the checkmark next to Synchronize with keyservers daily and then click OK.
5. If necessary, re-sign the recipient's public key.