Personal Digital Certificates
Overview/Installation
If required, you must have completed ID Verification before proceeding with these instructions.
What’s a Personal Digital Certificate?
A personal digital certificate is like a digital ID card that resides on your computer.
UVa uses your digital certificate to verify your identification before granting you access to certain protected resources at the University. Because certificates may be installed differently depending on the application you are using, you may have multiple certificates on your system.
Why You Need a Digital Certificate at UVa
At the University of Virginia, your personal digital certificate allows you to:
- access UVa’s encrypted cavalier wireless network;
- authenticate through NetBadge using the faster and more secure digital certificate option (as opposed to typing out your UVa computing ID and password); and
- install and use the Cisco VPN (UVa Anywhere).
Is Your Digital Certificate Expiring?
Personal digital certificates are valid for 1 calendar year. Approximately 1 month prior to the expiration date, you will receive a notification reminder that you have a certificate about to expire. When this happens, simply get a new certificate as described below to replace your expiring one.
How to Get a New Personal Digital Certificate
You have 2 options to download a new digital certificate:
- Automatically: Let the Network Setup Tool download and install your certificate for you automatically, or
- Manually: Download and install your certificate manually.
Note: Prior to installing your digital certificate, verify that your computer’s system clock, date, and time zone are accurate. (Certificates are validated by date and time.)
Let the Network Setup Tool Get Your Certificate Automatically
Download and run the Network Setup Tool, which will automatically:
- configure your computer to access UVa’s encrypted cavalier wireless network;
- obtain a new UVa Standard Assurance digital certificate for you; and
- fine-tune your Windows computer’s firewall settings.
The Network Setup Tool is available for:
- Windows 7, Vista, and XP; and
- Mac OS X 10.7, 10.6, and 10.5.
How to Get & Install Your Certificate Manually
Windows 7/Vista
Internet Explorer (for Wireless & NetBadge)
- Download the personal digital certificate to your desktop. Remember which password you use when submitting your personal information; this will be your certificate password. Note: You may need to allow the Active X control to run.
- Double-click the certificate to open the Certificate Import Wizard.
- Navigate through the screens, accepting default settings.
- Enter the certificate password when prompted. Continue with subsequent screens through Finish.
Optional: Firefox (for NetBadge)
- Open Firefox.
- Download and install your personal digital certificate.
Windows XP
Internet Explorer (for Wireless, VPN, & NetBadge)
- Download and install your personal digital certificate. Note: You may need to allow the Active X control to run.
Optional: Firefox (for NetBadge)
- Open Firefox.
- Go to the personal digital certificate download site and enter your personal information and your UVa password to verify your identity.
- Once you authenticate, a pop-up will appear so your personal digital certificate can be downloaded to your computer automatically.
Mac OS X
Safari (for Wireless & NetBadge)
- Download the personal digital certificate to your desktop. Remember which password you use when submitting your personal information; this will be your certificate password.
- Double-click the certificate to add to your Keychain Access.
- When the Add Certificates dialog box opens, make sure login is selected (for Keychain Access) and click OK.
- Enter the certificate password in the next dialog box (Authenticate) and click OK.
Optional: Safari (for VPN)
- Download and install the personal digital certificate to your desktop—remember which password you use when submitting your personal information, this will be your certificate password.
- Start Cisco’s VPNClient.
- Select the Certificates tab.
- Click the Import icon.
- For the Import Path field, click the Browse button to open your certificate.
- Enter your certificate password in the Import Password field (leave the additional password fields blank).
- Click the Import button.
Optional: Firefox (for NetBadge)
- Open Firefox.
- Download and install your personal digital certificate.
