Fwd: public/private keys.... what are they?

helps some but you state:

you want others to be able to check that you actually
sent the message (by using your public key)

Where do they get your public key?
How does your public key and private key decrypt when it seems the public
key changes.

:-)~MIKE~(-:

On Mon, Feb 9, 2015 at 5:48 PM, someone wrote:

> So if I'm right calling it a 'key' is a misnomer. I am a very literal
> person. if they call it a key it unlocks things, not creates them.
> That is where my confusion is from. Am I correct?
>
> Not quite correct...
>
> Both the public and private keys ARE keys... they're just used a
> little differently.
>
> You keep your private key secure, and use it to digitally sign a
> message when you want others to be able to check that you actually
> sent the message (by using your public key). Others can send an
> encrypted message that only you can decode, by encrypting the message
> using your public key. When you get the message, you can use your
> private key to undo the encryption that was done using your public
> key.
>
> So, in a way, the public and private keys can be thought of as two
> pieces of a single, combined key. The software that does the signing
> or encryption (using the keys), such as gnupg, pgp, etc., is more like
> the lock that the keys fit.
>
> I hope that helps.
> --
> Kevin O'Connor
>
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