- .pfx: Backup with private key exported from Internet Explorer.
- .p12: backup with private key exported from Firefox.
- .cer: Public key export format from Internet Explorer.
- .crt: Public key export format from Mozilla Firefox.
Install a certificate it is usually very simple. you will have to give double click on your operating system and install it. The same wizard that we will talk about in how to import a certificate will appear, so if you want to know more about how to continue the process, go directly to that section.
However, if this failed or, as is the case, you are changing your browser because you started the process with Firefox, but you are interested in having it in both, or only in Chrome, you will have to follow the steps of importing certificates from the configuration of the own browser. This is something that you may be concerned about because it is a different browser and also a different type of file. We tell you how you can carry out the process easily.
Import and export .p12 certificate in Windows
If you have a computer with the Windows operating system and you need to install the certificate that you have downloaded in Firefox or that has this extension in your Google Chrome browser, we will tell you how to do it. easily import it into Windows so that you can use it whenever you need it just by confirming it and how to export it so that you can have a copy of it that you will save in another place or leave it there in case it has been accidentally uninstalled. These days, you can have multiple certificates in your browser, so installing one won’t make the old one go away.
How to import .p12 certificate in Google Chrome
To import a .p12 digital certificate into your windows computerthe first thing you have to do is open the browser. you will give to the 3 points at the top right of the page to open the Chrome menu. When it has opened, you will have to give the option of Setting which will take you to the browser settings. There you will find different options and settings. You must go down until you reach the section of Security and Privacy. Inside it, you will give Security.
Already in the Security options, you will have to lower the screen until you reach the section that says Manage Certificates. There you can manage the installed certificates and add a new one. A new tab called Certificates. There you will see the certificates that you already have installed and you will have different options.
If you look closely, you will find an option that says To import. You must give it to her. The certificate import wizard will appear, which helps you copy them from your disk to the certificate store.
The next step you need to take is select file. you have to give examine and look for its location. The best thing is that you put it on the desktop so that it is more accessible, or that you remember where it was. You will realize that, even going to its location, it does not appear. Do not worry. You can solve it much easier than you imagine. Look on the screen, below everything, where it says name. Then something like X.509 certificate (.*cert,.*crt). You must press there and hit where it says “Exchange of personal information” or All files”. In any of the two options, what you were looking for will appear. You press on it and you return to the same tab. You will give next. You will have to indicate the password that you have put to the file previously, since otherwise you will not be able to import it. This is why it is so important to remember passwords.
Write it and if you want press on the option “Mark this key as exportable.” So you can make a backup copy of the keys or transport them whenever you want. You have an additional option, which is probably not necessary on your computer, but if you share it it can be interesting and it is “Enable secure private key protection.” If you click on it, every time an application uses your private key it will notify you. Once you have selected the options that interest you, you will give Following.
You can automatically select according to the type of certificate or indicate where you want it to appear. Then you will click next and a screen will appear indicating that this certificate will be imported.
You will see information about him and to complete the process you will have to give Finalize. Remember to do it.
This way you will have completed the installation and you will be able to find this one along with the others (if you had any). Although initially it may seem like a lot of steps, it is much simpler than you imagine.
How to export this certificate from Chrome
If what you want is to export a digital certificate file that you have previously imported in Windows, or simply that you have in your browser, the initial process will be very similar to the previous one. You will have to go to the 3 points of your browser, to Settings, then give Security and Privacy. after to Security and you will go down to manage certificates. The tab that we indicated above will open and you will have the option to To exportright next to Import.
will appear assistant to export and you must give next. You will select if you want export the private key or not. Then you will select the format you want to use.
You will indicate the name you want to use for the file, it can be the name of the specific person or yours. You will give next. will appear the confirmation screen and if all is well you can give Finalize so that it is saved where you have indicated and with that same name. Do not leave without completing the process giving end. Thus, you will have copy of your file to save where you want and be able to import again if you want.
How to import and export certificates on Mac
If it turns out that you want to import it in your Google Chrome browser, but the operating system used is Mac, it will have to be installed in Access to Keychains. That is why we tell you how you should carry out the process in this case. The first thing you will have to do is open the app from Finder and then go to Applications, Utilities and Keychain Access. This will work for any of the two options, both import and export.
The next thing you have to do to import it is:
- Accede to Login
- gives to my certificates
- Click on File
- Choose Import elements or Items
- Select the file and click Open
- Enter the password
- Give to accept
If everything has gone well, you will already have it installed in your browser and you will be able to use it whenever you want. Also, if you want export itall you have to do is follow the same process (go to login, my certificates and file), only after file instead of Import you will have to give the option of To export. You will select the file, which your browser will identify as being of a compatible format, and you will easily continue the export process.