Code Signing Certificate
------------------------------------------------------- Code Signing FAQ ![]()
The solution to these issues is Microsoft's Authenticode technology coupled with Digital IDs from Comodo. Code Signing, through the use of digital signatures, enables software developers to include information about themselves and their code with their software. When customers download software signed with a Code Signing Certificate issued by Comodo, they can be assured of:
Users benefit from this software accountability because they know who published the software and that the code hasn't been tampered with. In the extreme case that software performs unacceptable or malicious activity on their computers; users can also pursue recourse against the publisher. This accountability and potential recourse serve as a strong deterrent to the distribution of harmful code. Developers and Web masters benefit from Code Signing because it builds trust in their names and makes it more difficult to falsify their products. By signing their code, developers build a trusted relationship with users, who learn they can download software signed by that publisher or Web site with confidence. With Code Signing Certificates, developers can create exciting Web pages using signed ActiveX™ controls, signed Java™ applets, or other signed executables. And users can make educated decisions about what software they want to download, knowing who published the software and that it hasn't been tampered with. Code signing is widely used to protect software that is distributed over the Internet. Code signing does not alter it; it simply appends a digital signature to the executable code itself. Use digital signatures when you want to distribute data, and you want to assure recipients that it does indeed come from you. This digital signature provides enough information to authenticate the signer as well as to ensure that the code has not been subsequently modified. Code signing digital IDs (or certificates) allow content publishers including software developers to sign their content that includes software objects, macros, device drivers, firmware images, virus updates, configuration files or other types of content for secure delivery over the Internet. Digital signatures are created using a public-key signature algorithm such as the RSA public-key cipher. A public-key algorithm actually uses two different keys: the public key and the private key (called a key pair). The private key is known only to its owner, while the public key can be available to anyone. Public-key algorithms are designed so that if one key is used for encryption, the other is necessary for decryption. Furthermore, the decryption key cannot be reasonably calculated from the encryption key. In digital signatures, the private key generates the signature, and the corresponding public key validates it.
Who Needs a Code Signing Digital ID?
Customer Confidence
Authenticity Seamless Integration with Industry-Standard Technology
Ease of Use
How does Authenticode work with Comodo Digital IDs? Code Digital IDs Signing Process: The process is outlined below
The entire process is seamless and transparent to end users, who see only a message that the content was signed by its publisher and verified by Comodo. The Six Steps In Code Signing These instructions provide an overview of obtaining and using Microsoft Authenticode and a Code Signing Digital ID from Comodo. Step 1: Make Sure that you Are Running the Correct Versions of all Tools: These include:
Step 2: Apply for a Code Signing ID for Authenticode from Comodo In the process of applying for a Code Signing ID, your browser will generate a private key. You should store this private key (called MyPrivateKey.pvk) on a floppy disk, which is stored in a safe deposit box or other secure location. Please make a back-up copy of this private key, as you will need this key to sign code. This key is never sent to Comodo, so if you lose this private key, you will be unable to sign code. If this key is lost or stolen, please contact Comodo immediately. Step 3: Pick up your Digital ID Once you have completed the application process, Comodo will take a number of steps to verify your identity. For commercial publishers, Comodo does a considerable amount of background checking. As a result, it will take approximately 3-5 days to verify your information and issue a Digital ID. At the end of this process, Comodo will send you an e-mail containing a PIN (Personal Identification Number). Follow the instructions in this e-mail to pick up your Digital ID. Save your Digital ID as a file (e.g. MyCredentials.spc). Please note that you must use the same machine to apply for and obtain your Digital ID. You can then use the private key and Digital ID to sign files on a different machine. Step 4: Prepare your Files to be Signed If you are building any PE file (.exe, .ocx, .dll or other), you need not do anything special. For cab files, you need to add the following entry to your .ddf file before creating the cab file: Set ReservePerCabinetSize=6144 Step 5. Sign your Files You can now sign your .exe, or .cab, .ocx, or .dll file. To sign, you will use the SIGNCODE.EXE utility included in the ActiveX SDK. You will also need your Digital ID file (generally called MyCredentials.spc) and the diskette containing your private key (MyPrivateKey.pvk). As part of this process you will need to know the URL of Comodo’s time stamping server, which is http://timestamp.comodoca.com/authenticode Step 6: Test Your Signature The Microsoft SDK contains a utility called chktrust.exe. This may be used to check your signature before distributing your file. To test a signed .exe, .dll or .ocx file, run chktrust filename If your signing process was OK, this will bring up a certificate. Congratulations, you have just digitally signed your file. When this file is downloaded from a Web site by Internet Explorer, it will display the same certificate to the user. If the file is tampered with in any way after it has been signed, the user will be notified and given the option of refusing installation. Conclusion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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