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.. _mozilla_projects_nss_pkcs11_module_installation:
PKCS11 module installation
==========================
.. container::
`PKCS #11 </en-US/PKCS11>`__ modules are external modules which add to Firefox support for
smartcard readers, biometric security devices, and external certificate stores. This article
covers the two methods for installing PKCS #11 modules into Firefox. Users can use the
preferences dialog to install or remove PKCS #11 module. Extensions can programmatically manage
PKCS #11 modules using the nsIPKCS11 programming interface.
.. note::
**Note:** The information in this article is specific to Firefox 3.5 and newer. Older versions
of Firefox may support the
for installing PKCS #11 modules.
.. _using_the_firefox_preferences_to_install_pkcs_11_modules:
`Using the Firefox preferences to install PKCS #11 modules <#using_the_firefox_preferences_to_install_pkcs_11_modules>`__
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#. Save the PKCS #11 module to a permanent location on your local computer
#. Open the Firefox preferences dialog. Choose "Advanced" > "Encryption" > "Security Devices"
#. Choose "Load"
#. Enter a name for the security module, such as "My Client Database". NOTE: there is currently a
bug in Firefox where international characters may cause problems.
#. Choose "Browse..." to find the location of the PKCS #11 module on your local computer, and
choose "OK" when done.
.. _provisioning_pkcs_11_modules_using_the_pkcs11_api:
`Provisioning PKCS #11 modules using the pkcs11 API <#provisioning_pkcs_11_modules_using_the_pkcs11_api>`__
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Starting with Firefox 58, extensions can use the ``pkcs11`` browser extension API to enumerate
PKCS #11 modules and make them accessible to the browser as sources of keys and certificates.
.. _see_also:
`See also <#see_also>`__
------------------------
.. container::
- :ref:`mozilla_projects_nss_pkcs11`
- ``pkcs11.installModule()``
- ``pkcs11.isModuleInstalled()``