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automated email to the address you included in the enrollment form; this email will<br />

contain instructions on how to “pick up” the certificate.<br />

The first set of questions on the enrollment form is self-explanatory:<br />

First and last name<br />

The name you enter indicates how your Digital ID will be listed in VeriSign’s<br />

directory service.<br />

Email address<br />

Enter the address you will be using with the Digital ID. It becomes the certificate’s<br />

distinguished name. It is also listed alongside your first and last name in<br />

the directory. VeriSign will also use the address to verify its validity by sending<br />

an automated email to that address with instructions on how to retrieve the certificate<br />

that has been issued.<br />

Challenge phrase<br />

The challenge phrase used to protect the certificate will be available to both you<br />

and VeriSign. You should not share it with anyone else! VeriSign will use the<br />

phrase to verify that you are the owner of the certificate when you request that it<br />

be revoked, renewed, or replaced. Be sure to choose a phrase that you will be<br />

able to remember, but one that will not be easily guessed even by someone that<br />

knows you well.<br />

VeriSign will choose a default key length for the certificate that it will issue you based<br />

upon the information it gets from your browser. You won’t need to change the key<br />

length selected for you unless you’re using something other than Netscape or<br />

Microsoft products to access your email; in that case, the documentation for your<br />

email software or the vendor of the software should have advised you on the proper<br />

setting to choose.<br />

If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer to retrieve the certificate, it will be<br />

unprotected by default. That is, once you install it in your email software, you will<br />

not be required to enter any password or passphrase to gain access to it. If you opt to<br />

keep your certificate unprotected in this manner, you must ensure that the private<br />

key for your certificate is not compromised. It is generally not a good idea to leave<br />

your certificate unprotected, so VeriSign offers two methods of protecting it:<br />

Medium security<br />

One step up from the default of low security is medium security, which requires<br />

your approval each time the private key is accessed. With medium security, you<br />

still are not required to enter a password or passphrase to unlock the private key.<br />

High security<br />

This level of security requires you to enter a password or passphrase to unlock<br />

the key each time it is accessed.<br />

Remember that anybody gaining access to your private key will be able to use your<br />

certificate to masquerade as you. When an email is signed with your private key,<br />

This is the Title of the Book, eMatter Edition<br />

Copyright © 2007 O’Reilly & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.<br />

Obtaining a Certificate | 515

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