View source for Keyfile

{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}
A '''keyfile''' (or ''key-file'') is a file on a computer which contains [[encryption]] or license keys.
A common use is web server software running secure socket layer (SSL) protocols.  Server-specific keys issued by trusted authorities are merged into the keyfile along with the trusted root certificates.  By this method keys can be updated without recompiling software or rebooting the server.
A keyfile is often part of a [[public key infrastructure]] (PKI).
Some applications use a keyfile to hold licensing information, which is periodically reviewed to ensure currency and compliance.  Other applications allow users to merge multiple service-specific security settings into a single common store (for example, [[Keychain (Mac OS)|Apple Computer's Keychain]] in later [[Mac OS X]] versions, [[GNOME Keyring]] and [[KWallet]] in the [[GNOME]] and [[KDE]] environments in [[Linux]], respectively).
== External links ==
* {{Cite report |url=https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc4716 |title=The Secure Shell (SSH) Public Key File Format |last=Thayer |first=Rodney L. |last2=Galbraith |first2=Joseph |publisher=Internet Engineering Task Force |issue=RFC 4716 |date=November 2006}}
==See also==
*[[License manager]]
*[[List of license managers]]
*[[Passphrase]]
*[[Encryption software]]
*[[Product activation]]
*[[Digital rights management]]
*[[Keynote (presentation software)|.KEY extension - Keynote (Apple presentation software)]]
[[Category:Key management]]