Certificate Authority

Definition:

A Certificate Authority (CA) is an entity responsible for issuing and managing digital certificates that verify the authenticity and identity of websites, individuals, and organizations in online communications.

Use Cases:

  • Used in Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols to authenticate websites and establish secure communications.
  • Employed by organizations to verify digital signatures in email communications and document signing.

Related Terms:

Questions and Answers:

  • What is the role of a Certificate Authority (CA) in web security?
    CAs issue digital certificates that authenticate the identity of websites, ensuring that users can trust the site they are communicating with.

  • How does a CA verify the identity of a website or organization?
    CAs use various validation methods, including domain ownership verification and organizational vetting, before issuing a certificate.

  • What happens if a CA is compromised?
    If a CA is compromised, attackers could issue fraudulent certificates, leading to man-in-the-middle attacks or other security breaches.
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