What is the proper method for sending a public key to another user?

Sending a public key via email or other means is an acceptable and common practice to facilitate secure communications. Public keys are not secret; they are meant to be distributed openly. The purpose of a public key is to enable others to encrypt messages that only the corresponding private key can decrypt, or to verify digital signatures created using the private key. Therefore, disseminating it through email or similar communication methods allows others to utilize it for their own encryption or verification needs.

While there are other methods for sharing public keys, such as uploading them to a secure server or sharing them in person, these options may not always be practical or necessary. The email method provides a balance between convenience and security, especially when both parties do not have the ability to meet face-to-face or when an immediate exchange is required. The most important aspect is that the public key remains unchanged during the transmission, avoiding tampering or interception, which can be addressed with additional measures like digital signatures for verification.