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Can my computer be accessed remotely through the use of digital certificates?

justinpbrown
justinpbrown
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I have many trusted digital certificates in Firefox 71.0

I don't know exactly how they work. Can they be used by the issuing company to access information on my computer/device? Can they be used to track my behaviour (keyboard, online movement, etc)?

I have many certificates from companies in china, taiwan, turkey, etc whom I do not recognise. I also have some from companies such as amazon, who I do not trust & never use & would rather not have their presence on my device.

Can someone provide me with the appropriate knowledge to be able to configure the digital certificates settings to my desire. I have of course noticed that it seems impossible to delete them. They just reappear once I re-enter the settings.

Thank you

I have many trusted digital certificates in Firefox 71.0 I don't know exactly how they work. Can they be used by the issuing company to access information on my computer/device? Can they be used to track my behaviour (keyboard, online movement, etc)? I have many certificates from companies in china, taiwan, turkey, etc whom I do not recognise. I also have some from companies such as amazon, who I do not trust & never use & would rather not have their presence on my device. Can someone provide me with the appropriate knowledge to be able to configure the digital certificates settings to my desire. I have of course noticed that it seems impossible to delete them. They just reappear once I re-enter the settings. Thank you

Modified by justinpbrown

Chosen solution

The certificates do not allow the issuer to do anything but provide a secure connection should you choose to visit the site for which they are issued.

Read this answer in context 👍 1

All Replies (4)

cor-el
cor-el
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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I assume you are referring to the builtin root certificate that you see in the Authorities tab in the Certificate Manager.

  • Options/Preferences -> Privacy & Security
    Certificates: View Certificates

These root certificates are used the build a trusted certificate chain form a certificate send by the server to a builtin root certificate. You can't remove builtin root certificates as these are required for connecting securely to web servers.

See:

justinpbrown
justinpbrown Question owner
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Thanks for your reply cor-el. Why do they exist only from certain companies, such as Amazon? Why them specificly? Does the certificate allow them access to any data on my device, or tp track my online behaviour, keyboard activity, etc? Are they invasive?

crankygoat
crankygoat
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Chosen Solution

The certificates do not allow the issuer to do anything but provide a secure connection should you choose to visit the site for which they are issued.

justinpbrown
justinpbrown Question owner
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crankygoat said

The certificates do not allow the issuer to do anything but provide a secure connection should you choose to visit the site for which they are issued.

Thanks for your input crankygoat.