Re: kernel.org status: establishing a PGP web of trust

Frank Ch. Eigler
2011-10-03T16:28:51Z

bunk@stusta.de wrote:

> [...]
>> You probably know enough people (including myself) that would be willing
>> to sign your key over the phone.
>>...
>
> You have personally checked Rafael's user id (e.g. passport)?
>
> This might or might not be true in this case, but generally signing keys
> without having ever checked the user id (no matter how long you know the
> person) is a common mistake.

What is the threat that this passport checking is intended to cure?
That someone else might have been impersonating Rafael for years,
sending patches, chatting in email and over the phone, and attending
conferences? If so, perhaps the impostor is of more value to the
project than the Real Rafael.

- FChE