What are fingerprints?

[Michael Fischer v. Mollard]

Jonas Steverud <d4jonas@dtek.chalmers.se> writes:

> What is the use of fingerprints? I couldn't find anything in the
> documentation.

fingerprints are something like a hash value of a key: A short, unique
number. It is intended to use a fingerprint to verify that the key
belongs to the user given in the Key ID: If you can communicate over a
secure line, eg, via phone, you may compare the fingerprints of the
key. Other possibility: The public key of a newspaper publisher: It may
be printed in the newspaper, and you can simply check whether the public
key from the keyserver is the correct one comparing the
fingerprints. (You don't want to check the whole key, eve if it is
printed out :-))

-- 
        MfG MFvM

Microsoft has the right to create any changes to its OS and
prodcuts. It is not a monopoly because ther are compaines like Linux,
Unix and Apple.  (Consumer voice aus dem Freedom to Innovate Network)