One thing I can't quite grasp is:
Whether these keys shown under "permissions" are private or public keys.
After all beside the first two there's a box which says "Show private key".
So is it the private or the public keys you use for logging in, and if it's the private keys what do you use the public keys for?
Thanks.
The keys are private to other steemians. You can see them and you can view them when you are logged in. Log out and try to see your permissions. Check out my account or old-guys to see if you can see mine or his keys. You can't.
Plus the keys you can see under permissions are encrypted until you open them - as you say it will have a box that is labelled "Show Private Key". This is entirely different from the Owner key - where it too is called a private key. I'm not sure why they labelled them the same. It's confusing.
So what you need to use is the posting key to login and post. This is the password (key) you will use the most on here. When transferring funds you will be asked for the active key - and you'll have to login again using your posting key to get it unless you've copied/pasted it somewhere on your phone or laptop - in which case you can copy it from where you've stored it and paste it into the box.
Copy / paste these keys somewhere safe.
There are no public keys. None. Never give your password (keys) to anyone. Except when logging in or transferring funds. If in doubt, ask someone but never give your owner key to anyone.
Thanks for the info
You will need to show the keys and copy. Lots of copies... On paper. I suggest copy paste and print out so there is no mistakes. Use the private posting key for your day to day business. Only use private active key to move funds.
Thanks for your reply
So it's the private keys we use. So if you don't mind me asking:
Why are we shown the public keys? Do we need them for some reason?
This will clear it all up...
https://steemit.com/security/@noisy/public-and-private-keys-how-they-are-used-by-steem-making-all-of-these-possible-you-can-find-answer-here