Q: Is it safe to generate RSA keys in the browser?
Yes. Our tool uses the Web Crypto API, which is a built-in browser API that generates cryptographically secure keys. The keys are generated entirely on your device and never transmitted to any server. However, for production environments with the highest security requirements, consider using dedicated hardware security modules (HSMs).
Q: Should I choose 2048-bit or 4096-bit key size?
2048-bit keys are considered secure for most applications and are faster to generate. 4096-bit keys provide a higher security margin and are recommended for long-term security needs or highly sensitive data. Most certificate authorities and security standards accept 2048-bit keys as the minimum.
Q: What is the difference between SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512?
These are hash algorithms used in conjunction with RSA. SHA-256 produces a 256-bit hash and is the most commonly used. SHA-384 and SHA-512 produce longer hashes (384 and 512 bits respectively) and offer additional security margins. For most use cases, SHA-256 is sufficient.
Q: What is PEM format?
PEM (Privacy Enhanced Mail) is a Base64-encoded format for storing cryptographic keys and certificates. It uses header and footer lines like "-----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----" and "-----END PUBLIC KEY-----". PEM is the most widely supported format and is used by OpenSSL, Apache, Nginx, and many other tools.
Q: Can I use these keys for SSH authentication?
The generated keys are in standard PEM format (PKCS#8 for private keys, SPKI for public keys). While SSH typically uses a different key format, you can convert PEM keys to OpenSSH format using tools like ssh-keygen. For direct SSH use, consider generating keys with the ssh-keygen command-line tool.
Q: How should I store my private key securely?
Never share your private key or store it in public repositories. Save it in a secure location with restricted file permissions (e.g., chmod 600 on Unix systems). For production use, consider using a key management service (KMS) or hardware security module (HSM). Always keep backups in a secure, encrypted location.