Digital Certificates
Digital certificates are electronic documents that use public key cryptography to verify the identity of entities (such as websites, servers, or individuals) and establish secure communications. They contain information like the owner's public key, identity details, and are digitally signed by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) to ensure authenticity. This technology is fundamental for enabling HTTPS, secure email, code signing, and authentication in digital systems.
Developers should learn about digital certificates to implement secure communication protocols like HTTPS in web applications, authenticate users or devices in systems, and sign software to prevent tampering. They are essential for building trust in online interactions, complying with security standards (e.g., PCI DSS), and preventing man-in-the-middle attacks in client-server architectures.