What is MIME type "application/vnd.ms-pki.seccat"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

The MIME type application/vnd.ms-pki.seccat represents a Microsoft security catalog. It is used for files that store digital signatures and cryptographic hashes. These files help Windows verify the integrity of drivers and system files.

Files with this MIME type use the extension CAT. They carry the information required to check if software has been altered or corrupted. This aids in preventing untrusted code from running on your system.

Integrity Verification: Assures that system and driver files have not been tampered with.
Code Signing: Confirms the authenticity of software components.
Security Checks: Enables Windows to perform automated security validations during installations and updates.

For more detailed information on how these files contribute to system security, visit the Microsoft Security Catalog Files documentation.

Associated file extensions

.cat

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/vnd.ms-pki.seccat

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/vnd.ms-pki.seccat">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/vnd.ms-pki.seccat');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.cat

FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.