Where can I download my public encryption key?

  • Spertus
    Asked on September 17, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    Where can I download my public encryption key? I've encrypted a few forms for our office use but multiple people need access. I can't seem to find where to download the multiple user encryption key.

    Thanks

    Nicholas

  • Ben
    Replied on September 17, 2015 at 5:14 PM

    I do believe that you mean private key Nicholas.

    Just to confirm this, I will explain a bit about both:

    1. private key
     - A key that is used to decrypt the data submitted on your form
     - should be shared only with people that should see the submitted data
     - same key is shared since only one key exists that can decrypt the data
     - if the key is lost, we do not have a duplicate, so all data is lost at that point

    2. public key

     - visible to everyone
     - shared on your form
     - used during the submission to encrypt the data
     - it can not be used to decrypt the data

    Now, you can see more about this here: What are Encrypted Forms and how to use them as expert?

    My personal suggestion is to not use encrypted forms unless you are familiar with them and they are what you need, otherwise you are running a risk of loosing your data if you delete or loose the key since as mentioned above, we can not recreate the same as it is not exiting on our servers.

    Hope this helps and the guide above will also show you how to find the key on your PC as well as you go through it, or just look for the section titled: "What if we can not find the private key after downloading the same?"

  • Spertus
    Replied on September 17, 2015 at 6:47 PM
    Thanks. Is there a different key PER form or does our account have a single key?
    Nicholas Sagan
    Digital Content Specialist
    Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership
    610 S Michigan Avenue
    Chicago, IL 60605
    312.322.1760
    ...
  • Spertus
    Replied on September 17, 2015 at 7:39 PM

    Ok if an original key was downloaded by one of our users, I cannot locate it anywhere....

  • Ashwin JotForm Support
    Replied on September 18, 2015 at 6:08 AM

    Hello Nicholas,

    Is there a different key PER form or does our account have a single key? 

    Please be noted that the public and private encryption key is created per account. 

     

    The encryption key is downloaded in download folder of your computer. If you are using windows based system, please open your Windows Explorer and enter %HOMEPATH%\Downloads 

    If you are using Mac based system, you can go to your downloads folder:

    Where can I download my public encryption key? Image 1 Screenshot 20

     

    Please be noted that if you loose the encryption key, it is not possible to recover it as we do not store the key on our server.

    Thank you!

  • Spertus
    Replied on September 18, 2015 at 11:03 AM

    That's kind of a "did you plug it in?" answer...

    I've searched all the files on all the computers that could have possibly downloaded the key and the file has not turned up.

    How do I generate a NEW key? I understand the point about information loss.

    Thanks

    Nicholas

  • Ben
    Replied on September 18, 2015 at 1:43 PM

    Hi Nicholas, unfortunately it is not possible to recreate the new key.

    What I would suggest is the following:

    1. set your forms as non encrypted

    2. I have opened a new thread for you here: http://www.jotform.com/answers/665324

    3. Wait until a new key is created - if possible

    4. once it is (if it can be), set all forms that you need as encrypted

    Now in regards to this new thread. I will raise it to our developers now and will update you on it. Basically I will ask them to clear your current key if that is possible and if it is - and they do it, they will update you about it there.

  • Spertus
    Replied on September 18, 2015 at 1:45 PM

    Thanks. I hope it can be done because we need to encrypt forms and cannot read them without the key.

  • Ben
    Replied on September 18, 2015 at 3:09 PM

    Yes, that is true - not to be able to get read without the key.

    I would only like to mention one more time, that even if you have a new key, you will not be able to read old data - just to be sure that there are no wrong expectations.

    This is why I have mentioned above that I would set all forms as non encrypted, so that you can get the submitted data while this is being worked on.

    If left encrypted, you would get submissions, but all data would be encrypted and we would not be able to help you decrypt it.

    Now just in case, please do look for the term "jotform" in your PC as well.

    I would also suggest to check the browser Downloads history, there might be some clues there as well.

    For me on FireFox I can check my downloads history by pressing CTRL+J which also offers me to search through.

    If found in there, it would be easy to find the location and the name.

    - this would need to be done on the PC and the browser that had created the private key - first encrypted form.

  • Spertus
    Replied on September 18, 2015 at 3:17 PM

    Hey Ben, believe me, I looked deep on multiple machines for the file. Even in download histories and nothing came up. I'm the account manager but multiple people have access, none of them remember downloading any file, but that's not a guarantee they didn't...

    Anyway, there are only a small handful of encrypted submissions and will figure something out to regain that info. If we do get a new key I'll make sure it's managed properly so we don't lose any new information.

  • Ben
    Replied on September 18, 2015 at 4:23 PM

    I completely understand what you mean.

    Hopefully everything will be resolved soon and you will be able to create the new key.

    We will keep you updated on that here: http://www.jotform.com/answers/665324

    Do have a good day :)