Creating a PGP Key with Encryption Desktop for Mac OS X

Products

• Desktop Email Encryption

Issue/Introduction

 

Resolution

To create a PGP keypair

1. Open Symantec Encryption Desktop.
    
2. From the File menu, select New > PGP Key. The New PGP Key dialog box is displayed. Information on this dialog box explains what a key pair is and how it is used.
    
3. To specify advanced properties for your new key, select the Expert Mode check box. For more information on these settings, see article Expert Mode Key Settings. Skip this step if you do not want to use Expert Mode.
    
4. Click Continue. The Set Your Key’s Contact Information dialog box is displayed.
    
5. Enter your real name in the Full Name field and your correct email address in the Primary Email field.
    
6. Click Continue. The Set Your Key’s Passphrase dialog box is displayed.
    
7. Enter a passphrase for the key you are creating, then enter it again to confirm it.
   
   Caution: Make sure that your passphrase is one that you can easily remember (without writing it down). Unless your Symantec Encryption Management Server administrator has implemented a PGP key reconstruction policy for your company, no one, including Symantec Corporation, can salvage a key with a forgotten passphrase.
    
8. To save this passphrase in the Mac OS X Keychain, select Save passphrase in Keychain.
    
9. Click Continue. The PGP Key Creation Summary dialog box is displayed.
    
10. If desired, do one the following:
    
    To show details about the key, select Show Details.
    To make any changes to your key, click Go Back.
     
11. Click Create Key. Symantec Encryption Desktop generates your new keypair. This process can take several minutes.
     
12. When the key generation process indicates that it is complete, click Finish.