Sähköpostisertifikaatti

Sähköpostisertifikaatti, often referred to as an email certificate, is a digital certificate used to secure and authenticate email communications. It is based on public key cryptography, where a private key is kept secret by the user and a public key is shared. This technology enables two primary functions: email encryption and digital signing.

Email encryption ensures that only the intended recipient can read the contents of an email. When an email is sent to someone with a certificate, the sender uses the recipient's public key to encrypt the message. The recipient then uses their private key to decrypt it. This protects sensitive information from being intercepted and read by unauthorized parties.

Digital signing, on the other hand, provides authentication and integrity. When an email is digitally signed, the sender uses their private key to create a unique digital signature. The recipient can then use the sender's corresponding public key to verify that the email originated from the claimed sender and has not been tampered with during transit. This helps to prevent phishing and spoofing attacks by confirming the sender's identity.

Sähköpostisertifikaatit are typically issued by trusted Certificate Authorities (CAs) that vouch for the identity of the certificate holder. These certificates are often integrated into email clients and services, allowing for seamless encryption and signing of messages. The widespread adoption of email certificates enhances the security and trustworthiness of electronic communication.