diff --git a/examples/certgen.py b/examples/certgen.py
index f1572357d..28bdf806b 100644
--- a/examples/certgen.py
+++ b/examples/certgen.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ def createKeyPair(type, bits):
     pkey.generate_key(type, bits)
     return pkey
 
-def createCertRequest(pkey, digest="md5", **name):
+def createCertRequest(pkey, digest="sha256", **name):
     """
     Create a certificate request.
 
diff --git a/examples/mk_simple_certs.py b/examples/mk_simple_certs.py
index 9dfdd2ed5..ed2a53d1f 100644
--- a/examples/mk_simple_certs.py
+++ b/examples/mk_simple_certs.py
@@ -4,14 +4,18 @@
 
 from OpenSSL import crypto
 from certgen import *   # yes yes, I know, I'm lazy
-cakey = createKeyPair(TYPE_RSA, 1024)
+cakey = createKeyPair(TYPE_RSA, 2048)
 careq = createCertRequest(cakey, CN='Certificate Authority')
 cacert = createCertificate(careq, (careq, cakey), 0, (0, 60*60*24*365*5)) # five years
+print('Creating Certificate Authority private key in "simple/CA.pkey"')
 open('simple/CA.pkey', 'w').write(crypto.dump_privatekey(crypto.FILETYPE_PEM, cakey))
+print('Creating Certificate Authority certificate in "simple/CA.cert"')
 open('simple/CA.cert', 'w').write(crypto.dump_certificate(crypto.FILETYPE_PEM, cacert))
 for (fname, cname) in [('client', 'Simple Client'), ('server', 'Simple Server')]:
-    pkey = createKeyPair(TYPE_RSA, 1024)
+    pkey = createKeyPair(TYPE_RSA, 2048)
     req = createCertRequest(pkey, CN=cname)
     cert = createCertificate(req, (cacert, cakey), 1, (0, 60*60*24*365*5)) # five years
+    print('Creating Certificate %s private key in "simple/%s.pkey"' % (fname, fname))
     open('simple/%s.pkey' % (fname,), 'w').write(crypto.dump_privatekey(crypto.FILETYPE_PEM, pkey))
+    print('Creating Certificate %s certificate in "simple/%s.cert"' % (fname, fname))
     open('simple/%s.cert' % (fname,), 'w').write(crypto.dump_certificate(crypto.FILETYPE_PEM, cert))