PRIVATE File – What is .private file and how to open it?

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PRIVATE File Extension

OpenSSL Private Key – file format by The OpenSSL Project

PRIVATE is a file extension used by OpenSSL, an open-source cryptography library, to store private keys. These keys are used to decrypt data that has been encrypted using the corresponding public key. PRIVATE files are typically stored in PEM format, which includes a header and footer surrounding the base64-encoded key.

Definition and Purpose

A file with the extension .PRIVATE is an OpenSSL Private Key file. It contains a private cryptographic key used in conjunction with a public key to perform secure communication over the internet. The private key is used to encrypt data, and the corresponding public key is used to decrypt it. This mechanism ensures that only authorized recipients can access sensitive information.

Use Cases

.PRIVATE files are widely used in various applications, including:

  • Email Encryption: To send and receive encrypted emails using protocols such as TLS and S/MIME.
  • Secure Web Connections: To establish secure HTTPS connections between a web server and a client browser.
  • Code Signing: To digitally sign software or code to verify its authenticity and integrity.
  • Cryptocurrency Wallets: To store private keys used to manage cryptocurrency assets.

The private nature of these files makes them extremely important for maintaining confidentiality and security in digital communications and transactions. They should be stored securely and protected from unauthorized access to prevent data breaches and identity theft.

What is a .PRIVATE file?

A .PRIVATE file is an OpenSSL Private Key file. It contains a private key that is used to decrypt data that has been encrypted with the corresponding public key. Private keys are typically used in conjunction with public-key cryptography, which is a type of encryption that uses two different keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt data, while the private key is used to decrypt it.

.PRIVATE files are typically used to store private keys that are used for secure communication, such as email or instant messaging. They can also be used to store private keys that are used for digital signatures, which are used to verify the authenticity of a document.

How to Open a .PRIVATE file

.PRIVATE files can be opened using a variety of different software programs, including:

  • OpenSSL
  • Putty
  • SSH
  • Wireshark

To open a .PRIVATE file using OpenSSL, you can use the following command:


openssl rsa -in private.key -out private.pem

This command will convert the .PRIVATE file into a PEM-encoded private key file. You can then use the PEM-encoded file to decrypt data that has been encrypted with the corresponding public key.

To open a .PRIVATE file using Putty, you can use the following steps:

  1. Open Putty and click on the “SSH” tab.
  2. In the “Private key file for authentication” field, browse to and select the .PRIVATE file.
  3. Click on the “Open” button.

You can then use Putty to connect to a secure server using the private key that is stored in the .PRIVATE file.

To open a .PRIVATE file using SSH, you can use the following command:


ssh -i private.key user@server

This command will connect to the specified server using the private key that is stored in the .PRIVATE file.

To open a .PRIVATE file using Wireshark, you can use the following steps:

  1. Open Wireshark and click on the “File” menu.
  2. Select “Open” and browse to and select the .PRIVATE file.
  3. Click on the “Open” button.

You can then use Wireshark to inspect the contents of the .PRIVATE file.

The Role of OpenSSL in Private Key Management

OpenSSL, an open-source cryptography library, plays a crucial role in securing digital communications and data. Among its key functions is the management of private keys, which are essential for encrypting and decrypting sensitive information. A private key is a cryptographic value that is unique to each individual or organization and must be kept secret. By encrypting data with a private key, the information becomes unreadable to anyone without the corresponding public key.

The .PRIVATE File Extension and Private Key Storage

The .PRIVATE file extension is associated with OpenSSL Private Key files. These files contain the private key information necessary for decrypting data that has been encrypted using the corresponding public key. They are typically used in secure communication protocols, such as TLS/SSL, to establish a secure connection between two parties. OpenSSL Private Key files are encoded using the PEM (Privacy-Enhanced Mail) format, which consists of Base64-encoded data enclosed within a header and footer. To protect the private key from unauthorized access, it is recommended to store the file securely and restrict access to authorized individuals.

Other Extensions