On 12 August 2013 18:16, Adam Bolte <[email protected]> wrote:

> This is a really good point. I'm not sure which side of the fence is
> best, but I feel that we should quickly discuss this point on
> Thursday if time permits.
>

Problem is that the name of the person doesn't uniquely identify the
person. The email [1] address does.

So I could get people to sign my key as:

Brian May <[email protected]>

It matches my passport. It looks right. It must be ok, right?

The fact this email address may not be valid doesn't matter (and is
probably better that way). I now can impersonate Brian May[2], and ensure
he gets blamed for all my evil doings.

Just as he could have a certificate signed with my email address, and
pretend to be me. Sure, he won't get the emails, but can still do a lot of
damage.

[1] Almost always anyway. Sometimes email addresses can be reassigned
however (IIRC Yahoo or somebody was doing this).
[2] hint: http://www.brianmay.com/ - it isn't me!
-- 
Brian May <[email protected]>
_______________________________________________
Free-software-melb mailing list
[email protected]
http://lists.softwarefreedom.com.au/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/free-software-melb


Free Software Melbourne home page: http://www.freesoftware.asn.au/melb/

Reply via email to