Public Key Servers

Derek Atkins warlord at MIT.EDU
Fri Jul 30 14:29:55 PDT 1993


> 	Are the key servers listed in the PGP documentation still active? 

Yes, they are active.

> And if so, what is the general opinion of using them?  

It depends what you are trying to get to here?  The keyservers were
created as a way to implement out-of-band key distribution.  They
provide an easy way for you to get someone's key before initiating
contact with this person.

The key-servers do not do any key authentication, leaving the
validity-checking up to the end user.  It does leave a few things
open, namely, anyone can see who has keys on the servers.  But once a
US-legal PGP does come out (RSN, I believe), it won't be as big a
deal.

I hope this helps.

-derek






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