How to Find Out Certificate Authority in Domain
In today’s digital age, SSL certificates play a crucial role in ensuring the security and trustworthiness of websites. One of the key aspects of an SSL certificate is the Certificate Authority (CA) that issues it. Identifying the CA behind a domain’s SSL certificate is essential for various reasons, such as verifying the authenticity of the certificate and ensuring compliance with security standards. In this article, we will discuss several methods to find out the certificate authority in a domain.
1. Use Online Tools
One of the most convenient ways to find out the certificate authority in a domain is by using online tools. There are several free and paid tools available that can provide this information quickly and efficiently. Some popular online tools include SSL Labs’ SSL Test, Qualys SSL Labs, and SSL Checker. These tools scan the domain’s SSL certificate and display details, including the CA’s name.
2. View Certificate Details
Another method to find out the certificate authority is by viewing the certificate details on the website itself. Most modern web browsers provide an option to view SSL certificate details. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the website whose certificate authority you want to find.
2. Click on the padlock icon next to the website’s URL in the address bar.
3. Select “Certificate” or “Certificate Information” from the dropdown menu.
4. Look for the “Issued By” or “Certificate Authority” section, which will display the CA’s name.
3. Use Command Line Tools
If you are comfortable with command line tools, you can use them to find out the certificate authority in a domain. One such tool is OpenSSL, which is available on most Unix-like operating systems. To find the CA using OpenSSL, follow these steps:
1. Open a terminal or command prompt.
2. Type the following command, replacing “example.com” with the domain name you want to check: `openssl s_client -connect example.com:443`
3. Look for the “Subject Alternative Name” section, which will display the CA’s name.
4. Check the Certificate Chain
The certificate chain is a sequence of certificates that link the domain’s SSL certificate to the CA’s root certificate. By examining the certificate chain, you can identify the CA. To check the certificate chain, follow these steps:
1. Obtain the domain’s SSL certificate by using the methods mentioned earlier.
2. Use a text editor to open the certificate file.
3. Look for the “Certificate Chain” section, which will display the CA’s certificate and its associated details.
Conclusion
Identifying the certificate authority in a domain is an essential task for website owners and security professionals. By using online tools, viewing certificate details, utilizing command line tools, or checking the certificate chain, you can easily find out the CA behind a domain’s SSL certificate. This information is crucial for ensuring the security and trustworthiness of your website.
