How to Find a Digital Certificate

Digital certificates make websites look credible.

Digital certificates are, according to Webopedia.com, "An attachment to an electronic message used for security purposes." Basically, whenever you send information over the Internet, which occurs every time you access a different web page or even open a web browser while you are online, a certificate is sent to your web browser showing that the website is legitimate. A digital certificate contains information such as the owner of the public key and his or her information. Usually when you come across a site with an invalid or not approved certificate, you will get a warning from either your web browser or your Internet security program, if you have one installed.

Instructions

Mozilla Firefox

1. Click on the "Tools" tab on the top of the browser window and open the "Options".

2. Click on the "Advanced" tab in the Options window and click on the "Encryption" tab within the Advanced tab section.

3. Click on the button that reads "View Certificates". A window will now pop up showing you all the digital certificates of the sites that you have accessed so far.

Internet Explorer

1. Click on the "Tools" tab in the far right upper corner of the browser and access the "Internet Options".

2. Select the "Content" tab in the Internet Options.

3. Click on the button titled "Certificates". A window that allows you to access all the certificates will pop up.

References

• Webopedia: Digital Certificate