### Generating a Certificate Request - Password

You may password-protect the private key for this certificate. If you do, you will have to provide the password each time the certificate is used for digital signing. It is recommended to password-protect the key so that someone gaining access to your computer (physically or via a network) cannot use your certificate for digital signing without knowing the password.

If you choose to use a password, be sure you remember it or write it down and keep it somewhere safe. There is is no practical way of recovering your password if you forget it! In particular, the certificate issuer does not know your password and cannot help if you forget it!

If you choose not to use a password, simply leave the password fields blank.

Next: Signing the Request