Installing an SMIME certificate
You can import/install your personal S/MIME certificate by doing the following. Important: you must first set a master password if you have not already done so. The master password is needed so that imported certificates are stored securely. If you need instructions for setting a master password, look here.
- In Thunderbird, go to "Tools -> Options... -> Advanced -> Certificates -> Manage Certificates...". (In Mozilla Suite, go to "Edit -> Preferences -> Privacy & Security -> Certificates -> Manage Certificates...".)
- Make sure that you are on the "Your Certificates" tab.
- Click on "Import".
- Select the PCKS12 cert.
- It will ask you for the master password for the software security device. Enter your master password and click "OK".
- Next, it will ask you for the password protecting your personal certificate. Enter this password and click "OK".
You should have now imported your S/MIME certificate. If your certificate was not trusted, look here.
Once you have the certificate installed you will need to go to "Tools -> Account Settings..." Then choose "Security" from under the account whose e-mail matches that on the certificate and Select the certificate you just installed. The rest of the options should be self explainatory.
Note: As of May 23, 2005, the Thawte site does not offer Thunderbird in its list of what software you might be using when you sign up for a personal certificate there. It does offer Netscape/Messenger as possibilities. If you use Firefox to get your certificate and take the Netscape/Messenger option, a certificate silently installs into Firefox. There is no fanfare at all, but it works. To find that certificate and get a file that you can import into Thunderbird using the directions above, go, in Firefox, into "Tools -> Options -> Advanced". Scroll down and click "Manage Certificates". Highlight the certificate and click "Backup." Follow the prompts to produce the necessary file.
