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Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

Encryption

TLS (Transport Layer Security) Certificate Pinning Certificate Authority (CA) Digital Signature

The system behind certificates that helps you trust websites and software.

Definition

PKI is the system of certificates and trusted authorities that helps your device know a website or service is legitimate.

In plain English The system behind certificates that helps you trust websites and software.

Why this matters

Why it matters: Without PKI, attackers could more easily impersonate websites and intercept private data.

Example

Example: Your browser trusts a site’s TLS certificate because it chains to a trusted CA.