what is the use of signing keys?

[Owen Blacker]

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Douglas Elznic wrote (2001-10-12 T 20:47 -0400):
>
> Hello,
>
> I noticed that a few people have siging keys and encrypting keys. Can
> Someone explain to me the reasons for having two or more keys for
> certain tasks? Thanks to everyone for answering all my questions...

Under English law, keys that have never been used for encryption cannot
be siezed under the regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (Which
allows law enforcement to seize keys in certain circumstances, under a
warrant.  (It's massively more complex than that, for anyone unfamiliar
with the law in question).

So I have a signing key, with no encryption component, so I know that it
can't be seized under any circumstances.


O x
- -- 
Owen Blacker | Senior Software Developer and InfoSecurity Consultant
See http://www.owens-place.org.uk/pgp.html -- more about my PGP keys
Sig  0x3e2056b9 | 18cd 92aa 32aa 81b9 f5e8  c520 6475 6239 3e20 56b9
- --
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
 safety deserve neither liberty nor safety --Benjamin Franklin, 1759
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