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Introduction ssl This write-up describes the use of Digital Certificates as a mechanism for strongly authenticating users to web internet sites exactly where identity info is essential. Ahead of the advent of digital certificates the only option for authenticating users to a web site was to assign a username and password. Digital certificates on the other hand provide for a lot far more robust access manage and have a quantity of rewards over username and password. Username and password authentication Using username and password the procedure is normally as follows: each time a user wishes to access a web service the user navigates to the web site and authenticate themselves to the application utilizing unique username and password. This data is passed to the server (hopefully in an encrypted form), the application looks up the username and the password (or a representation of the password) in some form of access manage list and offered the information matches the user is granted access. This technique has some apparent limitations: * The username and password are passed more than the net (encrypted or unencrypted) with the typical security concerns of interception. * The systems administrator normally has unrestricted access to all usernames and passwords with connected security and liability issues for the service provider (specially with confidential information) * The user requirements to bear in mind as several usernames and passwords as are required by their applications major to inevitable support issues to recover lost access information Digital Certificate Authentication The typical digital certificate net access process is: The user navigates to the internet site. Before permitting access it checks the certificate against the access database. The user enters the password locally to confirming their access correct to the certificate and is permitted to the internet site. multi domain ssl certificates Positive aspects of certificates more than username and password: * Common security is enhanced: the user wants both the certificate itself and the password to the certificate to acquire access. * The password is by no means passed more than the internet, not even in the course of account set-up. * At no stage do systems administrators have access to user passwords. * The certificate can electronically sign information on the site with the advantage of non-repudiation. * The user utilizes a single digital identity with one particular password to access a range of applications (reduces passwords to keep in mind). Implementing Digital Certificates All key net servers assistance client authentication by means of certificates. An SSL certificate on the web server (to assistance https) enables configuration of client authentication and only needs specification of the access rights for every directory served by the net server. Amend the web application to support client authentication by certificates. If any code was developed to deal with user name and password, then the certificate credentials can be looked up in an access handle list in just the very same way. Client certificates are issued by way of a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) You can select implement your personal or use the services of a Managed Service Provider such as Diginus Ltd. Wider Use As soon as customers or personnel have digital certificates, the identical certificates can be used to digitally sign e mail, PDF and net forms and Microsoft Word documents. With a handful of modest actions a corporate internet site can be transformed into the centre of a potent web services infrastructure, with single sign on to numerous web applications, signed e mail and forms data exchange, all the time understanding precisely who is accessing the resources and data.