How to implement client certificate authentication

1. How do I set up client certificate authentication?
2. How does client authenticate server certificate?
3. How to configure client certificate authentication in IIS?
4. Does a client certificate need a private key?
5. How does SSL client authentication work?
6. What is the difference between SSL certificate server and client authentication?
7. Who signs client certificate?
8. Is client certificate required for SSL?
9. How are certificates verified?
10. How are certificate authorities verified?

How do I set up client certificate authentication?

On the taskbar, click Start, and then click Control Panel. In Control Panel, click Programs and Features, and then click Turn Windows Features on or off. Expand Internet Information Services, then select Client Certificate Mapping Authentication, and then click OK.

How does client authenticate server certificate?

For client authentication, the server uses the public key in the client certificate to decrypt the data the client sends during step 5 of the handshake. The exchange of finished messages that are encrypted with the secret key (steps 7 and 8 in the overview) confirms that authentication is complete.

How to configure client certificate authentication in IIS?

In Control Panel, click Programs and Features, and then click Turn Windows features on or off. Expand Internet Information Services, expand World Wide Web Services, expand Security, and then select IIS Client Certificate Mapping Authentication. Click OK. Click Close.

Does a client certificate need a private key?

All TLS certificates require a private key to work. The private key is a separate file that's used in the encryption/decryption of data sent between your server and the connecting clients.

How does SSL client authentication work?

The web server sends the browser/server a copy of its SSL certificate. The browser/server checks to see whether or not it trusts the SSL certificate. If so, it sends a message to the web server. The web server sends back a digitally signed acknowledgement to start an SSL encrypted session.

What is the difference between SSL certificate server and client authentication?

Client certificates tend to be used within private organizations to authenticate requests to remote servers. Whereas server certificates are more commonly known as TLS/SSL certificates and are used to protect servers and web domains.

Who signs client certificate?

A client authentication certificate must be an X. 509 certificate signed by a CA trusted by the server.

Is client certificate required for SSL?

Generally, most web servers running HTTPS do not require the client to have a certificate. If the server requires the client to authenticate, this is often done through credentials (e.g. username and password).

How are certificates verified?

To verify a certificate, a browser will obtain a sequence of certificates, each one having signed the next certificate in the sequence, connecting the signing CA's root to the server's certificate. This sequence of certificates is called a certification path.

How are certificate authorities verified?

When you send this certificate to a receiver, the receiver performs two steps to verify your identity: Uses your public key that comes with the certificate to check your digital signature. Verifies that the CA that issued your certificate is legitimate and trustworthy.