OpenSSL Convert cer to pem

Understanding the Basics of Certificate Conversion

Certificates are essential components that validate the authenticity of a website or an application. The certificate conversion allows software applications to read the certificates in a variety of formats. In this article, we’ll delve into converting .cer files to .pem files using OpenSSL.

What is OpenSSL?

OpenSSL is an open-source toolkit implementing the Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocols. It is a high-level cryptographic library that provides an open-source implementation of the SSL and TLS protocols.

What are .cer and .pem files?

A .cer file is a binary certificate file that contains a public key and a digital signature. It is the certificate format used by Microsoft Windows to store X.509 certificates. On the other hand, .pem files are Base64 encoded ASCII files that contain a private key and a public certificate. They are the most common format used by Linux-based systems.

Converting .cer to .pem using OpenSSL

To convert a .cer file to a .pem file, we need to use OpenSSL. Follow the steps below:

One key takeaway from this text is that OpenSSL is a useful tool for converting certificate files from one format to another, and it supports a wide range of cryptographic operations. Understanding the differences between .cer and .pem files and their respective formats is also important for successful certificate conversion.

Step 1: Install OpenSSL

To use OpenSSL on Linux, it must be installed on your system. You can install OpenSSL using the following command:

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Step 2: Convert .cer to .pem

Once OpenSSL is installed, you can convert the .cer file to .pem using the following command:

Here, the “x509” command is used to work with X.509 certificates, “-inform der” specifies the input format as DER, “-in” specifies the input file name, and “-out” specifies the output file name.

Step 3: Verify the Conversion

To verify that the conversion was successful, you can view the contents of the .pem file using the following command:

If the contents of the .pem file are displayed, the conversion was successful.

Understanding OpenSSL

OpenSSL supports a wide range of cryptographic operations, including encryption, decryption, digital signatures, and certificate management. It also provides a command-line interface that allows you to perform various cryptographic operations.

A key takeaway from this article is that OpenSSL is an open-source toolkit that can be used to convert certificate files from one format to another. Converting .cer files to .pem files is useful when working with Linux-based systems. It is important to understand the basics of certificate conversion and the differences between .cer and .pem files to effectively use OpenSSL.

Understanding .cer and .pem files

A .cer file is a binary certificate file that contains a public key and a digital signature. It is the certificate format used by Microsoft Windows to store X.509 certificates. A .pem file is a Base64 encoded ASCII file that contains a private key and a public certificate. They are the most common format used by Linux-based systems.

FAQs for openssl convert cer to pem

What is a cer file?

A cer file is a digital certificate that contains the public key of the entity that it represents, such as a website or software application. It is typically used to encrypt and authenticate data transmissions over the internet.

What is a pem file?

A pem file is a format for storing cryptographic keys and certificates. It is often used in Unix-based systems and contains base64-encoded data that can be readily read and parsed by various software and programming languages.

Why would I need to convert a cer file to a pem file?

There are several reasons why you may need to convert a cer file to a pem file, such as when working with different software or programming languages that require pem-formatted certificates. Additionally, some web servers or applications may expect pem-formatted certificates to be used for secure connections.

How can I convert a cer file to a pem file using openssl?

To convert a cer file to a pem file using openssl, you can use the following command: openssl x509 -inform der -in certificate.cer -out certificate.pem. This command will input a cer file in binary DER format and output it in a pem file.

What do the -inform and -outform flags do in the openssl command?

The -inform flag specifies the input format of the certificate, which in this case is DER. The -outform flag specifies the output format of the certificate, which in this case is PEM.

Can I use the converted pem file for SSL/TLS connections?

Yes, you can use the converted pem file for SSL/TLS connections, as long as it is a valid certificate issued by a trusted Certificate Authority. However, you may need to configure your web server or application to use the pem-formatted certificate for secure connections.