File Extension

DER File Format

Certificate file

The DER file extension is primarily associated with a DER- (Distinguished Encoding Rules) encoded X509 digital certificate file. 

A digital certificate is issued by a certification authority (CA) and contains a certificate holder's name, a serial number, expiration dates, a copy of their public key (used for encrypting messages and digital signatures), and the digital signature of the certificate-issuing authority to verify that the certificate is valid.

Learn more:

SearchSecurity.com explains the public key infrastructure (PKI) and digital certificates.

Randall Gamby discusses digital signatures and digital certificates.

Also from SearchSecurity.com, here's a collection of news and learning resources about digital certificates.

See questions and answers about digital certificates. 

This was last updated in September 2010
Editorial Director Margaret Rouse
PREVIOUS: DEPOT
NEXT: DES

Dig Deeper

People Who Read This Also Read...

Ask a Question. Find an Answer.Powered by ITKnowledgeExchange.com

Ask An IT Question

Get answers from your peers on your most technical challenges

Ask Question

Tech TalkComment

What made you want to look up DER Certificate file? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Share
Comments

    Results

    Contribute to the conversation

    All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.
    Back to top