Convert your SSL certificates from PFX to CER effortlessly with certificatetool.com converter. Just upload your certificate file, choose your new format, and click convert. Done!
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Certificatetool.com offers online and free SSL certificate format conversion tool without needing any software installation or running the OpenSSL commands. If you would like to convert your PFX file to other formats, check PFX Converter page.
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A Personal Information Exchange file, commonly referred to as a PFX file, is a password-protected archive containing a digital certificate, a private key, and the intermediate authority's certificate. Primarily utilized to bolster the security of applications and websites, PFX files often play a central role in the installation of SSL certificates.
SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a protocol designed to facilitate secure communication across computer networks. SSL certificates, integral to this protocol, serve the dual purpose of verifying a website's identity and encrypting data transmitted between the website and the user's browser.
Typically crafted by web hosting companies or certificate authorities, PFX files find their way to a website's server after creation. Once installed, the website gains the ability to use HTTPS, the secure version of HTTP.
To install an SSL certificate, a web browser supporting HTTPS is required. Following a successful installation, a lock icon in the address bar signifies the website's use of HTTPS and assures users that their communication with the site is secure.
Beyond securing websites, PFX files also play a role in code signing—a process that verifies the software developer's identity and ensures the integrity of the software. Validating the signature of downloaded software from a trusted source using PFX files enhances confidence in the authenticity of the software.
In essence, PFX files emerge as a vital security tool safeguarding applications, websites, and software. Users engaging with SSL certificate-reliant websites or software should verify the validity of the associated PFX file and confirm its correct installation for optimal security assurance.
A .cer file functions as a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate file, crucial for securing communication between web servers and web browsers. SSL certificates achieve this by encrypting transmitted data, thwarting eavesdroppers from intercepting and deciphering sensitive information.
SSL certificates are broadly categorized into server certificates and client certificates. Web servers utilize server certificates to authenticate themselves to web browsers, while client certificates enable web browsers to authenticate themselves to web servers. While .cer files are primarily associated with server certificates, they can also be employed for client certificates.
To utilize a .cer file, installation on the respective web server or web browser is necessary, with installation procedures varying depending on the software in use. Once installed, the .cer file becomes instrumental in verifying the identity of the counterpart before establishing a secure connection.
For web browsers, the validity of the .cer file can be confirmed by checking the lock icon in the address bar; a green lock icon signifies a valid certificate and a secure connection. On the other hand, web servers can verify .cer file validity by examining error logs, where the absence of errors indicates a valid certificate, signaling the server's readiness to accept connections.
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