[SOLVED] How can I decrypt GPG file that encrypted with my lost private key ?

mesuutt · 12-17-2011, 08:24 AM

Hi

I know little use gpg.
I have a encrypted file with gpg.
I encrypted this file around one years ago on my old PC for learn gpg and I want to decrypt this file.
I found my public key on "keys.gnupg.net" key server.

Now I running

Code:

gpg myfile.gpg

and I am getting this error

Code:

gpg: encrypted with 2048-bit ELG-E key, ID B501E694, created 2011-01-24
      "janissaryy (GPG Key of janissaryy) <janissaryy@hotmail.com>"
gpg: decryption failed: secret key not available

How can I decrypt this file?

Thanks in advance

sinuhe · 12-17-2011, 09:06 AM

You must have your private key (in $HOME/.gnupg/). If you did not back up that directory, you cannot 'gpg -d' data encrypted with either the public or private key. I suspect only a signature can be checked with a public key.

Unfortunately, I believe the answer to your question is you can't.

mesuutt · 12-17-2011, 10:49 AM

I have not private key because I did not know I must keep my private key.
I formatted the pc that my private key is in.

Must I keep private key always, if I using gpg ?
Can't I decrypt file never ?

unSpawn · 12-17-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesuutt

Must I keep private key always, if I using gpg ?

Yes. You must always store your private key in a safe place. And make a backup and store the copy somewhere else safe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesuutt

Can't I decrypt file never ?

You can not decrypt an encrypted message that you do not have the private key for. If you could decrypt it then GnuPG would be worthless.

mesuutt · 12-17-2011, 11:07 AM

Ok. Thanks