What is MIME type "application/x-putty-private-key"?

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

application/x-putty-private-key is a MIME type that marks files storing a PuTTY private key. It secures SSH connections by using cryptographic keys instead of passwords.
These keys confirm a user’s identity during remote logins.

This type is used by PPK files. They are usually generated by tools like PuTTYgen and are integral to the PuTTY suite.

Main Use: Secure authentication for SSH remote access.
Usage: Works with PuTTY and related connectivity tools.
Benefits: Enhances security by bypassing traditional password-based logins.
Functionality: Stores encrypted private key data for session authentication.

For more details consider visiting the official PuTTY site.

Associated file extensions

.ppk

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

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


    Content-Type: application/x-putty-private-key

HTML

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


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-putty-private-key">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/x-putty-private-key');
      res.end('Content here');
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.ppk

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.