- Keep a password protected backup of your certificate in a safe and secure location. See the "Export Certificate" section for instructions on creating a backup file.
- If using a common PC or where additional security is needed, password protect the use of the certificate. See the "Import Certificate" section for instructions on setting the security level to high when using a Certificate.
Digital Certificates General Guidelines
NOTE: These steps assume you have gone through the normal process for picking up a certificate.
*Include all certificates in the certification path if possible
*Enable strong protection (requires IE 5.0, NT 4.0 SP4 or above)
- Open your Internet Explorer browser (version 5.5 or higher)
- Select Tools -> Internet Options from the Internet Explorer menu bar
- Select the Content tab
- Click the Certificates button
- Highlight your certificate for ISO New England
- Select the "Export" button
- Click "Next" button
- Click - Yes, export the private key
- Click "Next" button
- The following button and boxes should be checked:
*Include all certificates in the certification path if possible
*Enable strong protection (requires IE 5.0, NT 4.0 SP4 or above)
- Click "Next" button "Enter password to protect file being exported:"
- "Re-enter the password to confirm:"
- Click "Next" button
- Click the "Browse..." button
- The "Save As" dialog box will appear, navigate to the location, enter a name and click "Save" to backup the certificate
- Click "Next" button
- Click Finish
- You will then see "The Export was Successful" message box appear
- Open your Internet Explorer browser (version 5.5 or higher)
- Select Tools -> Internet Options from the Internet Explorer menu bar
- Select the Content tab
- Click the Certificates button
- Select the "Import" button
- A "Welcome to the Certificate Import Wizard" box will open
- Click "Next" button
- Click the "Browse..." button and navigate to where you saved your exported Certificate by first changing the "Files of type:" to "All files (*.*)"
- Select and Open your file
- Click "Next " button
- You will be prompted to type the password for the private key
- Enter your password that you used to export your Certificate
- Click "Enable strong private key protection"
- Leave the "Mark this key as exportable. This will allow you to back up or transport your keys at a later time." Checkbox unchecked
- Click "Next " button
- Click "Automatically select the Certificate store based on type of certificate"
- Click "Next" button
- Click "Finish"
- Click "Set Security Level" on the "Importing a new private exchange key" box
- Select "High – Request my permission with a password when this item is to be used"
- Click "Next" button
- Enter and confirm password for Certificate
- Click "Finish"
- Click "OK"
- You should get a message "The import was successful."
- Click "OK"
