OL2002: How to Include or Update Digital Signatures in a vCard (292838)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
This article was previously published under Q292838

SUMMARY

When you try to use a vCard file with a digital signature, you must create a new vCard file from an information source (Global Address List entry or Outlook Contact) that contains your public key for digitally signing messages.

Each time that you update, cancel or change your digital ID for e-mail signing, you must create a new vCard file. The vCard is a separate file and is not automatically updated by Microsoft Outlook.

MORE INFORMATION

Use the following steps to create a vCard with a digital signature:

How to Create a vCard from the Global Address List

NOTE: The following steps should not be used if you keep a Personal Address Book in your Outlook profile. If you do use a Personal Address Book file, follow the steps in the "How to Create a vCard from a Contact" section of this article.
  1. If you use a Key Management Server (KMS), or if your S/MIME certificate has been published to the Global Address List (GAL), open the Address Book in Outlook, and then change the information in the drop-down list box from Show names from the to Global Address List
  2. Type in your name, and then open your entry in the GAL.
  3. On the General tab, click Add to Personal Address Book.
  4. A contact opens with your Exchange Server alias information populated.
  5. On the Certificates tab, your public key for your KMS digital ID or published S/MIME certificate is available.
  6. Verify that all the information that you want to send (phone numbers, addresses, and so on) is present in the item. Input any needed information.
  7. On the File menu of the contact, click Save As.
  8. In the Save As dialog box, set the location where you want to save the file in the Save In field, and then type the name that you want to use for this file (if it is different from the existing name) in the File Name field.
  9. Set the Save as type field to vCard Files(*.vcf), and then click Save

How to Create a vCard from a Contact

To create a vCard for yourself from a contact, compose and send a digitally signed message to yourself in Outlook. When this is complete, use the following steps to create a vCard file that includes your digital signature:
  1. When you receive the new message, open the message and verify that the digital signature is present. The digital signature is indicated by a red ribbon in the header, to the right of the Subject line.
  2. Right-click the sender's (your) name in the From field, and then click Add to Contacts.
  3. A contact opens, populated with information included by the sender (in Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3)/Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) or Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) configurations) or by the administrator in the GAL (for Microsoft Exchange Server configurations). This information may be limited, if you use POP3/SMTP or IMAP accounts.
  4. On the Certificates tab, your public key for your KMS digital ID or published S/MIME certificate is available.
  5. Verify that all the information that you want to send (phone numbers, addresses, and so on) is present in the item. Input any needed information.
  6. On the File menu of the contact, click Save As.
  7. In the Save As dialog box, set the location where you want to save the file in the Save In field, and then type the name that you want to use for this file (if it is different from the existing name) in the File Name field.
  8. Set the Save as type field to vCard Files(*.vcf), and then click Save
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/26/2001
Keywords:kbhowto KB292838
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