If you are a publisher or a business that develops software, you must digitally sign your Code. It has a significant impact on securing your software, application, or executable files.
When a file that has not been code signed is downloaded looks something like this:
The warning comes due to Microsoft SmartScreen. It is a filter that identifies phishing and malware sites while also showing critical download information. developers’ developers nightmares is the second part.
It is due to Microsoft’s ability to eliminate a conversion with a simple warning message. It isn’t very reassuring.
So what is Code Signing, and why is it so important?
What is a Code Signing Certificate?
If you are a software developer, it becomes important for your end-users to trust your Code. They must have that level of trust that the source of the software is indeed you, a legal entity and not any third party that claims to be you. Apart from this, it also becomes crucial to know that the Code is not tampered with by any hacker or has any malware inside it.
A code signing certificate is a digital certificate issued by a Certificate Authority (people usually prefer the best Code Signing Certificate provider) that contains an entity’s details that validate its authenticity. The certificate binds the identity of an entity to a public key that is mathematically related to a private key.
Certificates are a fundamental block of public key infrastructure (PKI) based on asymmetric cryptography and are used for verifying the legitimacy of an entity. The certificate is dependent on the private key of a public-private cryptographic key pair.
When you digitally sign your certificate, it is a kind of authentication and saves your software against tampering. Anyone (usually the end-users) with a corresponding public key will:
- Authenticate that the signature comes from an authentic entity and
- Validate that no content of the package (whether that is Code, a document, or any other content) has been tampered with since the issuance of the signature
The Code Signing Certificate contains details of the entity issuing the software and allow Internet users to verify its authenticity by:
- Validating that the entity which developed the software and ensuring the software is not subjected to interception from the time it was signed
- Making sure that the software is not tampered with by any unauthorized users.
So how does the certificate offer authenticity to codes, software, or executable files? Let us discuss that:
How Does Code Signing Work?
- Purchasing of Certificate
Based on your requirements, you can choose the certificate you want. For example, you can go for an OV or EV certificate.
- Verification of Identity
Depending on your certificate type, the authentication levels differ. Regardless of that, in this process, the CA will ensure that you are who you claim to be and that you’re functioning in good faith.
- Installation of Certificate
After verification, the Code Signing Certificate will be issued, and you can install it on whatever platform you use.
- Signing Executables and Scripts
Each platform handles the signing process differently, but adding digital signatures stays the same.
Adding the digital signature is not about signature; it is a string of data used for hashing to show identity and if your code has been tampered with.
After signing the software, you can now make it live. So when users download it, they can see your signature.
So there it is! This is how Code Signing Certificate works. Now let us see its different types.
What are the Types of Code Signing Certificates?
There are two types of code-signing certificates —
- Organization Validated Code signing Certificates- The Organization Validated (OV) certificates provide more trust. For issuing these certificates, the CA will authenticate the organization or individual publisher trying to get them. In this certificate, the individual’s name is also listed, giving assurance to the users. Though Microsoft SmartScreen warnings are displayed with these certificates, it goes away as soon as you build a reputation in terms of minimal bug reports and higher downloads.
- Extended Validation Code Signing Certificates– Also known as Enterprise code signing certificates, these certificates offer maximum reliability and trust to visitors, so it goes through a rigorous validation of the CA. Usually, EV Code Signing Certificates are issued to businesses and other registered organizations, not individuals.
You can choose your options depending on your budget and needs.
Where is Code Signing Certificate Used?
The code signing certificate is crucial for three main reasons:
- Secures the code against third party’s tampering to alter it
- Aware the user that the information of the software can be relied upon
- Forges a chain of trust for a hassle-free experience for the users
So some of the typical use cases for a code signing certificate are:
- Making sure of the IoT device’s integrity
- Submitting the latest mobile-based applications to software publishers like Google, Apple, and Microsoft, Google requires apps to be signed before listing on their app stores
- Issuance of software for public installation
- Developing enterprise IT software programs for internal application
So these are some of the areas where code signing certificates can be used.
Ending Thoughts
Code signing is a robust, powerful tool for developers to provide assurance to end users. However, the private keys in all PKIs must be adequately secured in order to offer holistic protection of the developer’s code and the reputation of an organization or developer.
Companies usually consider buying a Comodo Code Signing Certificate for code signing their certificate. However, it might be a bit too much in your pocket. Instead, you can get the Cheap Code Signing Certificateof Comodo from reliable vendors and ensure your software is safe to use.
So the customers who download files with digital signatures from your website can be confident that you are the owner of the code and that no third party has had any access to it since it was signed or created. These digital signatures act as a digital cocoon for your code: after you sign your code, if it is intercepted by any third-party. The digital signature is responsible for breaking and alerting the end user that the code is not trustworthy.
