OpenSSL Convert cer to pem file

Understanding the Basics of OpenSSL Certificate Conversion

In the world of cybersecurity, a certificate is used to authenticate the identity of a website, application, or device. The SSL/TLS certificate is used to establish a secure connection between the client and the server. OpenSSL is a commonly used tool for creating, signing, and verifying certificates. In this article, we will explore how to convert certificate types, specifically converting a .cer file to a .pem file using OpenSSL.

What is a .cer file?

A .cer file is a binary format certificate file that contains the public key of the certificate. It is commonly used to store X.509 certificates. The .cer file can be used for a wide range of purposes, including email encryption, digital signatures, and SSL/TLS encryption.

What is a .pem file?

A .pem file is a base64 encoded certificate file that contains the public and private keys of the certificate. It is commonly used in HTTPS servers to establish a secure connection between the client and the server.

Why Convert a .cer file to a .pem file?

Sometimes, a .cer file needs to be converted to a .pem file to be used in a particular application. For example, if you are configuring an Apache web server, you need to convert the .cer file to a .pem file to use it with the server.

Converting a .cer File to a .pem File using OpenSSL

One key takeaway is that OpenSSL can be used to convert different certificate types, and it is important to have the correct format and valid certificate for successful conversion.

Step 1: Install OpenSSL

Before we can start converting the certificate, we need to install OpenSSL. OpenSSL is available for most operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows. You can download OpenSSL from their official website.

Step 2: Open the Command Prompt

To use OpenSSL, we need to open the command prompt. On Windows, go to the Start menu and search for “Command Prompt.” On Linux or macOS, open the terminal.

Step 3: Navigate to the Directory Containing the .cer File

Using the “cd” command, navigate to the directory containing the .cer file.

Step 4: Convert the .cer File to a .pem File

Use the following command to convert the .cer file to a .pem file:

“`

This command will convert the certificate.cer file to certificate.pem.

Step 5: Verify the .pem File

You can verify the .pem file by opening it in a text editor. The file should contain the public and private keys of the certificate.

Additional Information

Converting Other Certificate Types

OpenSSL can be used to convert other certificate types as well. Here are some additional commands:

.jks to .pem:
.pfx to .pem:
.der to .pem:

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues during the conversion process, try the following:

Make sure you have the latest version of OpenSSL installed.
Double-check that you are running the command from the correct directory.
Verify that the .cer file is in the correct format and contains a valid certificate.

FAQs about openssl convert cer to pem file

What is the difference between a .cer file and a .pem file?

A .cer file generally contains a public key certificate in DER or Base64 encoded format. A .pem file, on the other hand, can contain different types of data, including public and private keys, certificates, and other types of encoded data. Therefore, the conversion of a .cer file to a .pem file using openssl is a straightforward way to extract the certificate.

How do I install openssl on my computer?

OpenSSL is available for download on the official website and can be installed on a variety of platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Once installed, the openssl command-line tool can be used to convert files between different formats, including converting a .cer file to a .pem file.

What is the command to convert a .cer file to a .pem file using openssl?

The openssl command to convert a .cer file to a .pem file is as follows:

openssl x509 -inform der -in certificate.cer -out certificate.pem

The “-inform der” option specifies that the input file is in DER format, the “-in” option specifies the input file name, and the “-out” option specifies the output file name. This command will output a .pem file containing the certificate data.

Can I use openssl to convert other types of certificate files to .pem format?

Yes, openssl can be used to convert a variety of certificate formats to .pem format, including .pfx and .p12 files. The command syntax for each file type conversion may vary slightly, but the general process remains the same.

What is the purpose of converting a .cer file to a .pem file?

Converting a .cer file to a .pem file is useful when a program or service requires a certificate in .pem format. This may be necessary for authentication, encryption, or other security-related purposes. By using openssl to convert the certificate file, the extracted certificate data can be easily incorporated into other programs or services that require it.