What are Code Signing Certificates?

Code Signing Certificates are useful for software developers, organizations and especially publishers who distribute through third-party download sites. They provide a digital signature for your software programs, applications & drivers. It’s a way of confirming to users that your software is genuine, and it is coming from a reliable source.

Code Signing Certificates ensure that you will not receive any warning or error message during the download or installation process. It’s an ideal solution for securing: Applications, Device-Drivers & Softwares.

GlobalSign Code Sign Certificates

GlobalSign Code Signing Certificates are used by developers on all platforms to digitally sign the applications and software they distribute over the Internet. Code Signing essentially provides the same assurance as a shrink wrapped CD as the signed code includes the name of the publisher and assurance that the code hasn't been tampered with since being published. Anyone downloading software off of the internet can make a decision whether or not to trust the software.

Code Signing Certificates use a unique cryptographic hash to bind the identity of the publisher to the software. Security warnings that appear with unsigned code are replaced with notifications containing the software publisher's information, preventing users from abandoning the install and increasing download rates. Signing code adds an essential layer of trust to the installation process.

Assurance & Authentication

GlobalSign Code Signing Certificates help create a sense of online confidence when users download your software by verifying the authenticity of your identity. But, before you can display either your company name or individual name as the publisher and start distributing your code or content safely online, GlobalSign requires you to complete the validation process, which typically takes 1-3 Days. For companies, GlobalSign will attempt to verify your registration details, address and telephone number. For individual developers, GlobalSign requires you to present a notarized form that validates some sort of government issued photo identification and complete a quick phone call. To streamline the process, we'll provide you with an easy-to-read validation guide after purchase.

GlobalSign Extended Validation Code Signing certificates offer the highest level of identy authentication available. GlobalSign will ask your company to undergo an extensive vetting process in order to verify identity. While this may sound intense, it’s not for any company with up to date records and registration. This process typically takes 1-5 business days.

Security & Encryption

This certificate digitally signs code with 32-bit or 64-bit portable executable including .cab, .exe, .dll, .csx, and kernel mode software. Additionally, the GlobalSign Code Signing certificate creates digital signatures using a public-key algorithm like the RSA public-key cipher.

GlobalSign Extended Validation Code Signing certificates support all major 32-bit / 64-bit formats, including Microsoft Authenticode (.exe, .cab, .dll, .ocx, .msi, .xpi, and .xap) and kernel-mode software, Adobe Air, Apple applications and plug-ins, Java, MS Office Macro and VBA, Mozilla object files and Microsoft Silverlight applications. For additional security, your private key will be stored on an external hardware device.

Platforms Supported

The GlobalSign Code Signing & GlobalSign EV Code Sign certificate works across a wide variety of platforms, which include::
◼   Windows 8/10
◼   Any Microsoft format (32- and 64-bit) .exe, .ocx, .msi, .cab, .dll
◼   Adobe AIR applications
◼   JAVA applets
◼   Mozilla Object files
◼   MS Office Macro or VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) files
◼   Microsoft Silverlight applications or XAF files
◼   Apple Mac software for MacOS 9 and OSX

Benefits

◼   Digitally signs software with a unique signature
◼   Asserts sufficient identity to satisfy most browsers
◼   Available in OV and IV
◼   Timestamping keeps your signatures valid
◼   Ensures authenticity of software
◼   Guards integrity of software
◼   Widely Supported
◼   Easy to Use

Site Seal

GlobalSign Code Signing certificates do not come with a Site Seal, since it is not designed to be advertised publically on your site. However, these certificates do include unique digital signatures embedded within the code of your site to ensure customers that the code comes from you and has not been altered or corrupted since it was created and signed.

Warranty

Unfortunately, the GlobalSign Code Signing certificate does not come with a warranty.