[logo] Backup and Restore

>> Reasons to backup

If your key pair is lost, you will be unable to decrypt the encrypted content for you, and to make a signature which is verifiable with the public key trusted by other people. There is a risk of losing encrypted data, but moreover, everyone will be involved in paying the cost of reconstructing the web of trust around your new public key.

If you are a user of the i-WAT plug-in module of wija, and are using barter currencies, circulation of your currency stops if your key pair is lost, until you generate a new key pair, distribute the new public key and the web of trust is reconstructed. This is troublesome to your friends. But it also means that you will lose your trust.

It is your responsibility against the communities around you to maintain your key pair always available.

You are advised to backup your key pair in your key rings, and keep the copy of your GnuPG data in a safe place.

>> Things to backup

Copy the content of the following folder to a safe place in order to backup your GnuPG data.

For Linux or Mac OS X users
  • ".gnupg"1 folder under the home folder.
For Windows users
  • "c:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application Data\gnupg"2 folder.

>> How to backup and restore

The procedures depend on your platforms.

1

On Unix platforms, such as Linux or Mac OS X, the file names beginning with "." are concealed. Presence of these concealed files can be confirmed by using "-a" option of ls command.

2

On Windows, "Application Data" folder is concealed, but the folder can be made visible by setting File Window's "Tools" -> "Folder Options" -> "View" -> "Hidden files and folders" -> "Show hidden files and folders" checked.