Linux Security Cookbook

7.19. Adding Your Key to a Keyserver

Problem

You have generated a new GnuPG key, and you want to make your public key available to others via a keyserver.

Solution

Send the key to the keyserver:

$ gpg --keyserver server_name_or_IP_address --send-keys key_ID

Some well-known PGP/GnuPG keyservers are:

wwwkeys.pgp.net

www.keyserver.net

pgp.mit.edu

Additionally, most keyservers have a web-based interface for adding and locating keys.

Discussion

A keyserver is a resource for storing and retrieving public keys, often accessible via the Web. Most widely-used GnuPG keyservers share keys automatically amongst themselves, so it is not necessary to send your key to all of them. Your key should be available on many keyservers within a day or two.

See Also

gpg(1), and the keyservers mentioned herein.