secret-query(1)

NAME

secret-query - Ask for a secret in a secure way

SYNOPSIS

secret-query [ OPTION ... ] [ QUESTION ]

DESCRIPTION

The secret-query program will pop up a window, asking for

the entry of a secret. It is usually called by q-agent, or

q-client when no terminal interaction with the user is possible.

You can use it for other things, too, as the interface is very

simple, and in the default mode not specific to the Quintuple

Agent suite.

If QUESTION is given, it will be used as the prompt text

in the window.

All the necessary precautions are taken so that your se

cret stays that way while under control of secret-query: the key

board is grabbed to prevent sniffing, an amount of memory is

locked (if possible) so that paging will not write the secret to

disk.

After a secret has been entered and the OK button is

pressed, secret-query will output the secret to stdout, and exit

with code 0.

Cancelling entry with the appropriate button or by closing

the window will produce an exit code of 1.

-g, --no-global-grab

usually, as soon as the query window appears the

keyboard is grabbed, diverting any keyboard input to secret-query

- this option will prevent grabbing until the query window gets

keyboard focus by normal means. This retains security, while do

ing away with the somewhat obnoxious snatching-from-under-your

fingers aspect

-e, --enhanced

turns on the enhanced interface, normally only use

ful to q-agent: time-to-live and other options are queried along

with the secret, and later output in rfc822-like Keyword: Value

style

-d, --debug

turn on debugging output

--help print a usage synopsis, then exit

--version

print version information, then exit

SEE ALSO

q-agent(1)

q-client(1)

AUTHOR

Robert Bihlmeyer <robbe@orcus.priv.at>

COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2000 Robert Bihlmeyer

This is free software; see the source for copying condi

tions. There is no warranty; not even for merchantability or

fitness for a particular purpose.

Quintuple Agent 10 March 2003

SECRET-QUERY(1)