mini-HOWTO generate a GnuPG key:

    $ gpg --gen-key

now just answer some questions:

  Q:                  A:
  "kind of key?"      <return> -> DSA+Elgamal
  "length bits?"      <return> -> 2048
  "validity?"         <return> -> 0 (does not expire)
  "correct?"          y
  "Real name?"        FirstName LastName
  "Email address"?    me@domain
  "comment?"          <return>
  "change?"    no!    (O)kay

then a new key will be generated.
with a key ID of, say, 12345678.

now upload that key to a server:

    $ gpg --send-key 12345678

done. :)

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in case of loss or if yout think your key has been compromised
you should let everyone know that you are no longer using that key.
for that reason you should create a revocation certificate for your key:

    $ gpg --armor  --gen-revoke $MYKEYID \
      --output gpg.key.revocation_certificate.asc

in case you really really need to revoke your key then
use the revocation certificate by importing it into
your keyring and uploading it to the default keyserver:

    # WARNING! only do the following if you are absolutely sure!
    $ gpg --import gpg.key.revocation_certificate.asc --sendkey $MYKEYID

Sven Guckes
Lastest change: 2007-01-17