You browse to a web page using HTTPS. The web page supplies a "certificate" (which is actually a chain of three certificates). Briefly explain how your browser determines if the web should be trusted. page

Systems Architecture
7th Edition
ISBN:9781305080195
Author:Stephen D. Burd
Publisher:Stephen D. Burd
Chapter10: Application Development
Section: Chapter Questions
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**Understanding HTTPS and Certificate Chains**

When you browse to a web page using HTTPS, the web page supplies a "certificate" (which is actually a chain of three certificates). The certificates ensure that the information exchanged between your browser and the web server is encrypted and secure.

**Explanation: How Your Browser Determines if a Web Page Should be Trusted**

1. **Certificate Chain**: 
   - The web page provides a certificate chain, which usually consists of three parts: the server certificate, an intermediate certificate, and a root certificate. Each certificate in the chain vouches for the one before it.
  
2. **Root Certificate**:
   - The root certificate is issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). These root certificates are pre-installed in your browser or operating system's trust store. Your browser automatically trusts any certificate issued by these CAs.
  
3. **Intermediate Certificate**:
   - The intermediate certificate is issued by the root CA and, in turn, is used to issue server certificates. This adds an extra layer of security.
  
4. **Server Certificate**:
   - The server certificate is issued by the intermediate CA to the web server. It authenticates the server to your browser and ensures the server's identity.

5. **Validation Process**:
   - When your browser visits a website, it receives the server certificate.
   - The browser then follows the chain, checking each certificate. It verifies that the server certificate was signed by a trusted intermediate certificate, and the intermediate certificate was signed by a trusted root certificate.
   - If the entire chain is valid and can be traced back to a trusted root certificate in the browser’s trust store, the browser will trust the web page.

Through these steps, your browser determines whether the web page should be trusted. This process ensures that you are communicating securely with the intended server and that your information is protected from eavesdropping and tampering.
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding HTTPS and Certificate Chains** When you browse to a web page using HTTPS, the web page supplies a "certificate" (which is actually a chain of three certificates). The certificates ensure that the information exchanged between your browser and the web server is encrypted and secure. **Explanation: How Your Browser Determines if a Web Page Should be Trusted** 1. **Certificate Chain**: - The web page provides a certificate chain, which usually consists of three parts: the server certificate, an intermediate certificate, and a root certificate. Each certificate in the chain vouches for the one before it. 2. **Root Certificate**: - The root certificate is issued by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA). These root certificates are pre-installed in your browser or operating system's trust store. Your browser automatically trusts any certificate issued by these CAs. 3. **Intermediate Certificate**: - The intermediate certificate is issued by the root CA and, in turn, is used to issue server certificates. This adds an extra layer of security. 4. **Server Certificate**: - The server certificate is issued by the intermediate CA to the web server. It authenticates the server to your browser and ensures the server's identity. 5. **Validation Process**: - When your browser visits a website, it receives the server certificate. - The browser then follows the chain, checking each certificate. It verifies that the server certificate was signed by a trusted intermediate certificate, and the intermediate certificate was signed by a trusted root certificate. - If the entire chain is valid and can be traced back to a trusted root certificate in the browser’s trust store, the browser will trust the web page. Through these steps, your browser determines whether the web page should be trusted. This process ensures that you are communicating securely with the intended server and that your information is protected from eavesdropping and tampering.
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