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Secret Key Details (sidebar)
You'll need to create or have access to a secret key before using one for document or field encryption. What follows is a quick tutorial on creating, distributing, and accessing secret keys for encryption use.

To create a secret key:

  1. Choose File -Tools - User ID.
  2. If prompted, enter your ID password.
  3. Select encryption in the User ID dialog box.
  4. Click New in the Encryption dialog box.
  5. Enter a name for the new key.
  6. Select North American or International (International is required if you plan to share this key with users that have International licenses).
  7. You can optionally add a comment for this key.
  8. Click OK. The new encryption key appears in the list of keys, and is ready to use.

To distribute a secret key with Notes mail:
  1. Choose File -Tools - User ID.
  2. If prompted, enter your ID password.
  3. Select encryption in the User ID dialog box.
  4. Select the key you want to share with others.
  5. Click Mail, and you can use Notes mail to distribute your secret key.
  6. Click Send. Notes safely sends the key to its recipient via an encrypted Notes mail message.

To distribute a secret key on a diskette:
  1. Choose File -Tools - User ID.
  2. If prompted, enter your ID password.
  3. Select encryption in the User ID dialog box.
  4. Select the key you want to share with others.
  5. Click Export.
  6. Enter a password to the key.
  7. Confirm the new password.
  8. Enter a file name, select a directory, and select a drive location for the key.
  9. Click OK, and this key is ready for diskette distribution.

To accept a secret key from Notes mail:
  1. Open the mail message that contains the attached key.
  2. Choose Actions - Accept Encryption Key.
  3. If prompted, enter your ID password.
  4. When prompted, click Accept. The key is now ready for use.

To accept a secret key from a diskette:
  1. Choose File -Tools - User ID.
  2. If prompted, enter your ID password.
  3. Select encryption in the User ID dialog box.
  4. Click Import.
  5. In the "Specify File Containing the Key" dialog box, locate the drive, directory, and key name.
  6. Select the key and click Open.
  7. If prompted, enter the correct password.
  8. In the next dialog box, click Accept. The key is now ready for use.