Question

What is the file extension for a Cryptographic Message Syntax Standard based on PKCS#7 that defines a generic syntax for defining digital signature and encryption?

1) .P7B
2) .P12
3) .cer
4) .xdr

Answer 1

The correct file extension for a Cryptographic Message Syntax Standard based on PKCS#7 is .P7B. This format is used to store a certificate chain excluding the private key.

Step-by-step explanation:

The file extension for a Cryptographic Message Syntax Standard based on PKCS#7, which defines a generic syntax for digital signatures and encryption, is .P7B. The .P7B files typically contain a certificate chain including the end entity certificate (also known as the user certificate) along with any intermediate certificates, but they do not contain the private key. The correct file extension for a Cryptographic Message Syntax Standard based on PKCS#7 is .P7B. This format is used to store a certificate chain excluding the private key.

Other file extensions mentioned, such as .P12 (associated with PKCS#12 and often used for storing private keys with accompanying public key certificates), .cer (used for certificates, typically DER or PEM-encoded), and .xdr, are related to different formats within cryptographic systems and security-related data structures.