The CSR private key is a cryptographic key that decrypts the data the Certificate Signing Request (CSR) file has encrypted.
Essentially, the private key is your secret weapon, kept securely on your computer, and is used in conjunction with the certificate you obtain after submitting the CSR. You need this key to complete the certificate installation process. Think of it like this:
- The CSR is like a request form, asking a Certificate Authority (CA) to issue you a digital certificate.
- The private key is created alongside the CSR.
- The CA issues a certificate based on the information in the CSR.
- You then use the private key to activate and use that certificate on your server or service.
You will use the private key when uploading your certificate and intermediates to your project. As the name suggests, the private key is meant to keep private on your computer.
