Thawte Certificate Found in Key Chain-Security Threat?

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Level 1

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Thawte Certificate Found in Key Chain-Security Threat?

I recently opened up my Key Chain Access and found this Certificate among the items listed. I have never been to this site and know of no reason why it should be there. The name of the certificate is "Thawte Personal Freemail Issuing CA." I believe the URL is http://www.thawte.com The website looks like the real deal and they specialize in encryption and security protocols. The company is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa and has offices all over the world.

Is this a normal or safe item in keychain or is this a security breach?

What is the purpose of a Certificate like this?

informed responses only please...

PowerMac G5 2.5 Dual Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jun 22, 2006 12:44 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 22, 2006 1:26 PM in response to Keith E.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25555
Thawte Certificates are issued (and stored in the Keychain) when you send or receive encrypted email. They act as a "key" to open the email.

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Answer 2

abderite

Level 1

18 points

Jul 3, 2006 2:28 AM in response to Keith E.

I have also found this while trying to sort out keychain, ie weed out everything out-of-date or dodgy looking.

As I never knowingly send anything encrypted I assume it must have been incoming? Correct or is there some auto encryptation done by Mail, the only e-mail prog I use?

If incoming another would presumably be sent if needed, so OK to delete it?

The one next to it is similar but looks less threatening:
VPN (PPTP) password.

Powerbook Titanium Mac OS X (10.3.9)

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