[kwlug-disc] Generating and using PGP keys

[Adam Glauser]

Raul Suarez wrote:
> --- On Fri, 2/20/09, unsolicited <unsolicited at swiz.ca> wrote:
>> e.g. The transfer of e-mail between a health care provider
>> and patient.
> 
> Agree. But how many people communicate through email with their HC provider? I don't know any.

Communicating with a bank or financial advisor might be a more common 
example.  They looked stunned when I asked if they knew about encrypted 
email at one of the major banks when I was investigating mortgages.


> I don't think it's the awkwardness. I think that most people don't really need it. Back to my analogy, people that are riding their bike need a helmet but that doesn't mean that everyone needs a helmet to feel safe.

There's a big difference between feeling safe and _being_ safe.  Air 
travel is much safer than road travel, yet many more people are afraid 
of flying than driving.  Going with your analogy, biking around without 
a helmet on is IMO just as foolish as driving around without a seatbelt. 
  There are people out there who feel safe doing it.  They might never 
need their seatbelt or helmet, but the small inconvenience is worth it 
for the potential of preventing very serious injury.

That said, for the few cases it would have been really handy to encrypt 
or sign emails, I haven't been able to because the other party wasn't 
able to participate.