Turvatõendid

Turvatõendid, often translated as security certificates or trust certificates, are digital documents that verify the identity of an individual, organization, or website. They are essential for establishing trust and enabling secure communication in the digital realm. The primary function of a turvatõend is to bind a public key to a specific entity, ensuring that the public key truly belongs to the claimed owner and not an imposter.

These certificates are issued by trusted third parties known as Certificate Authorities (CAs). When a CA issues a turvatõend, they perform a verification process to confirm the identity of the applicant. This process can range from simple domain name validation for websites to more rigorous identity checks for individuals or organizations. Once issued, the CA digitally signs the certificate, which acts as a guarantee of its authenticity.

Turvatõendid are widely used in various applications. For websites, they enable HTTPS, indicated by a padlock icon in the browser's address bar. This ensures that data exchanged between the user's browser and the website is encrypted and protected from eavesdropping. They are also used for digital signatures, allowing individuals to sign documents electronically with legal validity and ensuring the integrity and origin of the signed content. Furthermore, turvatõendid play a role in secure email communication (S/MIME) and in authenticating users and devices to networks and services. The validation and trust associated with turvatõendid are fundamental to the security and reliability of online interactions.