QUICK INFO:

• Asymmetric encryption: key pair (Private, Public); the recipient sends his Public key to the sender

• Command to generate new key pair: 

  • gpg --full-generate-key
    

• options suggested:

  • Type of key: RSA;

  • Key size: 4096 bits;

  • Expiration date: if uncertain, select none;

  • User ID: a name, an email address, a comment (optional).

  • Passphrase: This is used to protect your private key
    

• Command to list existing keys: 

  • gpg --list-keys
    

• Identifying key ID and short key ID

  • key ID: last 16 characters after "rsa4096/

  • short key ID: lst 8 characters after "rsa4096/"
    

• Command to delete existing key:

  • gpg --delete-keys key_ID (alternatively, short_key_ID)

• Command to backup the Public Key: 

  • gpg --armor --export your_email@example.com > public_key.asc
    

• Command to backup the Private Key (careful!): 

  • gpg --armor --export-secret-keys your_email@example.com > private_key.asc
    

• Command to setup key server (if needed): 

  • gpg --send-keys --keyserver keys.openpgp.org your_key_id