25.6. Generating a Key

You must be root to generate a key.

First, use the cd command to change to the /etc/httpd/conf/ directory. Remove the fake key and certificate that were generated during the installation with the following commands:

rm ssl.key/server.keyrm ssl.crt/server.crt

Next, create your own random key. Change to the /usr/share/ssl/certs/ directory and type in the following command:

 make genkey 

Your system displays a message similar to the following:

umask 77 ; \
/usr/bin/openssl genrsa -des3 1024 > /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.key/server.key
Generating RSA private key, 1024 bit long modulus
.......++++++
................................................................++++++
e is 65537 (0x10001)
Enter pass phrase:

You now must enter in a passphrase. For security reason, it should contain at least eight characters, include numbers and/or punctuation, and it should not be a word in a dictionary. Also, remember that your passphrase is case sensitive.

Re-type the passphrase to verify that it is correct. Once you have typed it in correctly, /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.key/server.key, the file containing your key, is created.

Note that if you do not want to type in a passphrase every time you start your secure server, you must use the following two commands instead of make genkey to create the key.

Use the following command to create your key:

 /usr/bin/openssl genrsa 1024 > /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.key/server.key

Then, use the following command to make sure the permissions are set correctly for the file:

chmod go-rwx /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.key/server.key

After you use the above commands to create your key, you do not need to use a passphrase to start your secure server.

Problems associated with not using a passphrase are directly related to the security maintained on the host machine. For example, if an unscrupulous individual compromises the regular UNIX security on the host machine, that person could obtain your private key (the contents of your server.key file). The key could be used to serve webpages that appear to be from your secure server.

If UNIX security practices are rigorously maintained on the host computer (all operating system patches and updates are installed as soon as they are available, no unnecessary or risky services are operating, and so on), secure server's passphrase may seem unnecessary. However, since your secure server should not need to be re-booted very often, the extra security provided by entering a passphrase is a worthwhile effort in most cases.

The server.key file should be owned by the root user on your system and should not be accessible to any other user. Make a backup copy of this file and keep the backup copy in a safe, secure place. You need the backup copy because if you ever lose the server.key file after using it to create your certificate request, your certificate no longer works and the CA is not able to help you. Your only option is to request (and pay for) a new certificate.

If you are going to purchase a certificate from a CA, continue to Section 25.7, “Generating a Certificate Request to Send to a CA”. If you are generating your own self-signed certificate, continue to Section 25.8, “Creating a Self-Signed Certificate”.