private key

In secure communication, an algorithmic pattern used to encrypt messages that only the corresponding public key can decrypt. The private key is also used to decrypt messages that were encrypted by the corresponding public key. The private key is kept on the users' system and is protected by a password. See also Public key. .

The private part of a key pair. Depending on the type of certificate the key corresponds to it may typically be found in $HOME/.globus/userkey.pem (for user certificates), /etc/grid-security/hostkey.pem (for host certificates) or /etc/grid-security/<service>/<service>key.pem (for service certificates).

For more information on possible private key locations see this.

In a dual-key encryption system, the sequence of characters that is used to decrypt ciphertext encrypted with the corresponding public key See also public key and public key infrastructure (PKI).

The secret part of an asymmetric key pair that is typically used to digitally sign or decrypt data.

1. In a public-key cryptosystem, that key of a user's key pair which is known only to that user. [After X9.42] 2. A cryptographic key created and kept private by a party. Note: A private key may be used for the following: to compute the corresponding public key; to make a digital signature which may be verified by the corresponding public key; to decrypt the message encrypted by corresponding public key; or, together with other information, to compute a piece of common shared secret information. [After X9.42] 3. Encryption methodology in which the encryptor and decryptor use the same key, which must be kept secret. [INFOSEC-99] 4. A key used in an asymmetric algorithm. Possession of this key is restricted, usually to only one entity [10181-1]. 5. The key, used in an asymmetric algorithm, that is known to only one entity [10181-2].