Q: I forgot my CryptoAPI Private Key password

• I followed the instructions to tell Internet Explorer to protect my certificate with a password ( Set Firefox and-or Internet Explorer to prompt for a password for certificate-protected pages )
• Unforutnately, I forgot the password, and cannot use my certificate.
• What do I do?

Context:

• Internet Explorer
• MIT Personal Certificate
• The certificate is protected with a custom password

Answer:

• If you forget this password, you will not be able to use your current certificate.
• The only solution is to delete the certificate, and get a new certificate.

Footnotes:

• When getting a new certificate, you can set the CryptoAPI security level to "High" to protect this certificate with a special password - make sure to choose a password you will remember.
• Or you can set the CryptoAPI security level to "Medium", and the new certificate will not be protected by a password. It is a good idea to make sure that your screensaver has a password, so that your computer screen locks if you walk away from your computer.