From: "Steven T. Cramer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

> > And if they do get your private key, what will they be able
> > to do with it? Without also having your password, it's useless, no?
>
> No it is not useless. They can use it to unencrypted and message
> encrypted with his public key.
>
> The could load that key on there PGP or many a other application and
> decrypt it.
>
> Patrick is right.  The password should protect the key at all times IMO.
>
> Steve


True: the exported private key is just plain-old-text and completely usable.

Another theory that a friend of mine pointed out was that if someone can log
into your computer, all bets are off anyway.

The only problem with that theory is this:  what is the point of ever
encrypting a file on your own computer?  If someone can log into the
computer, they can export the private key and therefore decrypt every file
on the computer.  I suppose the encryption helps with security over a local
network, but that's about it.

Once someone can log into your computer, all bets are off.  If that happens,
your PGP password provides NO additional security.


-- Patrick


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