# How Can I Reach My Certificate to .key File?

https://www.nettescil.com.tr/knowledgebase/article/how-can-i-reach-my-certificate-to-key-file

SSL certificates play a critical role to ensure the security of data on the internet. These certificates include **Custom Key** (custom key) and **Certificate file** (public key). .key file, SSL It is used together with the certificate and is often given an important task in the authentication process of servers, encryption and scriptures. So how can you access your certificate to the .key file? Here are what you need to know about it.

**1. Importance of .key File**

Custom key file (.key), SSL A secure connection is installed on the web server along with the certificate. The .key file should be accessible only by the owner of the certificate and should be stored in a safe environment. If this file disappears or leaks to others, the links connected to the certificate become unsecured. Therefore, how the .key file suggests and how it means and how it can be stored in a .key file. protection is a critical topic.

**2. Creating Certificate and Key**

One SSL first to get a certificate **CSR (Certificate Signing Request)** you need to create a file. CSR file, usually **private key (custom key)** create the file and this key, SSL combined with the certificate. CSR When creating the file, it should be noted that the .key file will be created in the same position.

**2.1. CSR Creating File**

CSR You can often create the file with OpenSSL tool. Below you can find the basic steps of this process:

1st**OpenSSL Command Line**: :

OpenSSL command line tool is used to create .key and .csr files.

2. 2.**Create a Private Key File**: :

**Opensl genpkey -algorithm RSA -out private.key**

With this command **private.key** a special key file is created by the name.

**2.2. CSR Create File**

**Copyright © 2019 new-key.com. All Rights Reserved. private.key -out domain.csr**

This command forms .csr file and send it to the certificate provider.

**3. Ways to Reach .key File**

If you have already created .key file but do not know how to access this file, you can try the following methods.

**3.1. If you’ve created during the Certificate Loading**

If you SSL If you have created a .key file while uploading the certificate, and if this file is stored on your server, it can often be found in the following directories:

•**Linux Servers**: :

/etc/ssl/private/

or

/etc/pki/tls/private/

You can search for your private key in these directories.

**3.2. In the Web Server Configuration File**

Many web hosts, uploaded SSL Specifies the certificate in configuration files. You can learn the way of .key file by checking the configuration file of the web server. For example, Apache or Nginx on servers:

•**Apache for**: :

In your configuration file SSL Certificates Search the line:

**SSL Certificates /path/to/your/private.key**

•**Nginx for**: :

**ssl certificate key /path/to/your/private.key;**

**3.3. Get in touch with your Certificate Provider**

If you have lost the .key file, you can contact your certificate provider. In some cases, the special key file (private key) may not only be able to redistribute providers because it is kept by you. However, you may need to create a new .key file when you reload the certificate.

**4. Protection of .key File**

Since certificates and special switches are very sensitive data, **You must keep the .key file securely**. Encryption is among the measures that you can get to ensure the security of file access limitations and secure server environments, .key file.

**5. Conclusion**

.key file of certificates, SSL/TLS It has a vital importance to ensure the safety of the connections. By following the correct steps to achieve this file, you can protect your system’s security and perform reloading when necessary. If you lost .key file or have access problems, contact your certification provider and help you You can get.