VB.NET

Load an Encrypted Private Key from a PEM File

Demonstrates the Chilkat PrivateKey.LoadEncryptedPemFile method, which loads a private key from a file, using a password when the key is encrypted. The first argument is the file path and the second is the password.

Note: The file path is relative to the application's current working directory. Absolute paths may also be used. Supply the path to your own key file.

Background: The file-based encrypted loader — the natural choice for a .pem key stored with a passphrase, as most deployment keys are. It decrypts encrypted PKCS #8 PEM and also accepts unencrypted files, so it works whether or not the specific file is protected. Supply the passphrase from a secure source.

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Dim success As Boolean = False

'  Demonstrates the PrivateKey.LoadEncryptedPemFile method, which loads a private key from a file,
'  using a password when the key is encrypted.  The 1st argument is the file path and the 2nd is
'  the password.

Dim privKey As New Chilkat.PrivateKey

'  The key password is not hard-coded in a real application; obtain it from an interactive
'  prompt, environment variable, or a secrets vault.
Dim password As String = "myKeyPassword"

success = privKey.LoadEncryptedPemFile("qa_data/private_encrypted.pem",password)
If (success = False) Then
    Debug.WriteLine(privKey.LastErrorText)
    Exit Sub
End If


Debug.WriteLine("Loaded a " & privKey.KeyType & " private key.")