Code Signing Certificates

Code Signing Certificates serve as a crucial tool for software developers, enabling them to digitally sign applications, drivers, executables, and software programs. This ensures that end-users can verify the integrity and authenticity of the code they receive, mitigating the risk of tampering or compromise by third parties.

Certificates

Validations

Prices

	Lowest Price	Secures	Validation	Provisioning	Issuance Time
Business Certificates Secure Code Individual or Business	$ / yr $ Saved	Code & App Signing	Business OV	USB Token HSM	1-3 Days Instant	Buy Now
Business Certificates High Assurance Secure Code Rapid Smartscreen Reputation Top Recommendation	$ / yr $ Saved	Code & App Signing	Extended Business EV	USB Token HSM	1-5 Days Instant	Buy Now
Business Certificates Code Signing	$ / yr $ Saved	Code & App Signing	Business OV	USB Token	3-5 Days	Buy Now
Business Certificates EV Code Signing Certificate Instant SmartScreen Reputation	$ / yr $ Saved	Code & App Signing	Extended Business EV	USB Token	3-7 Days	Buy Now
Business Certificates Code Signing Certificate Individual or Business	$ / yr $ Saved	Code & App Signing	Business OV	USB Token HSM	1-3 Days Instant	Buy Now
Business Certificates EV Code Signing Certificate Rapid Smartscreen Reputation	$ / yr $ Saved	Code & App Signing	Extended Business EV	USB Token HSM	1-5 Days Instant	Buy Now

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Do you need to Sign your Code?

Code Signing Increases user Trust

Instill trust in your applications, drivers, executables, and software programs using a Code Signing Certificate. By digitally signing your code, you assure end-users that unauthorised parties have not tampered with or compromised the software. This helps alleviate untrusted developer warnings, enhancing user confidence and minimising potential security concerns. These certificates include your signature, company name, and, optionally, a timestamp, reinforcing trust and credibility.

Safeguard Your Intellectual Property: Code signing certificates offer robust protection, enabling customers to verify the authenticity of their code and detect any unauthorized alterations. This safeguards both parties against fraud, malware, and theft, ensuring the integrity of your intellectual property.
Enhance User Experience: Digitally signed programs can bypass warning messages during download and installation, ensuring a seamless user experience and encouraging greater adoption of your software. Smooth and professional software installation is crucial for user satisfaction.
Streamlined Monitoring and Enforcement: Digitally signing code streamlines monitoring processes, making identifying any modifications to files simple. Additionally, code signed with a timestamp assures users that the code was authenticated with a valid certificate, reinforcing trust and reliability beyond the certificate's expiration.
Compliance with Platform Requirements: Partners, channels, and platforms distributing your software prioritize data security. Signing your software demonstrates a commitment to protecting their customers' data, meeting contractual obligations, and maintaining trust in your products and services.

Why EV Code Signing?

Extended Validation for Added Trust

Extended Validation (EV) Code Signing Certificates surpass standard digital code signing, undergoing rigorous vetting and adhering to strict hardware security standards. This assures users of your applications' utmost integrity and authenticity, reducing or eliminating untrusted developer warnings during installation and fostering greater confidence in your software products.

Windows Smart Screen Defender

By acquiring an EV Code Signing Certificate, you secure trusted status on the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen® Reputation filter, effectively minimizing warning messages and enhancing both brand reputation and end-user trust.

What comes with your Certificate?

Code Signing Features and Benefits

Code Signing Certificates offer versatile solutions for various scenarios. Our certificates encompass standard features, while the EV range provides additional heightened security and authenticity options.

Enhanced Security with Two-Factor Authentication

Your private key is securely stored on a USB device provided upon certificate purchase. Only those with physical access to the device can utilize your EV code signing certificate, ensuring reinforced authentication and heightened security.

Extended Validity with Time-Sensitive Signing

Opting for a timestamp ensures your signature remains valid even after the original EV code signing certificate expires. This feature extends the lifespan of your signature, eliminating the need for frequent re-signing when certificates expire.

Trusted Status on Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

With an EV Certificate, you can attain automatic trust status on the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen® Reputation filter, minimizing warning messages and bolstering brand reputation and end-user confidence.

Hardware Security Module Support

Verokey and DigiCert Code Signing Certificates are compatible with Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), granting greater control over certificates and private keys. Authorized personnel within your organization can utilize the stored certificate for code-signing purposes.

Seamless Platform Compatibility

Enjoy universal compatibility across platforms without the need for certificate re-issuance. Whether for Authenticode, Kernel Mode, or other platforms, your Code Signing Certificate remains versatile and practical.

How Code Signing Works

After writing your code, using cryptographic techniques, you will apply your certificate, creating a digital signature ready for distribution. When users run the software, their system verifies the digital signature against the embedded certificate. If valid, the code is deemed authentic and safe to execute.

Code Signing Process

Original Code Hash

Your code will be read, and a Hash Digest will be created, unique to your code.

Encrypting the Hash

Using your Private Key, the Hash Digest will be encrypted. This encrypted Hash and a signature block will be added to your software.

Certificate and Timestamp Added

The public Certificate and a Timestamp will also be added to your software.

Code Verification Process

Original Code Hash

The users system will be read the code and generate a new Hash Digest.

Decrypt Included Hash

The Encrypted Hash Digest will be decrypted using your Certificate and checked if it matches the newly generated Hash Digest.

Timestamp Checked

The timestamp will be checked to verify the valid Certificate used at the time of signing.

What our Customers say...

We are committed to providing unparalleled customer service, ensuring our customers consistently receive the utmost quality experience.

Stephen Clarke

6 months

SSLTrust provides a great service. Have used them for years. Emails get answered quickly and helpfully. Highly recommended.

Matt Skinner

1 year

Code Signing certificates are supposed to be hard to obtain, but with the great help and expertise of the SSLTrust team we were able to navigate the process successfully. Our company presented unusual problems for the process which had caused an attempt with another provider to fail miserably after several months. SSLTrust stepped into the breach and guided us through to a successful outcome. There communication was clear, their website easy to navigate, and their integration with CA providers was seamless. We would highly recommend.

Code Signing Experts are ready to help.

Don't hesitate to contact us for comprehensive support with any Digital Certificate inquiries. Our team can assist you through email, live chat, or a quick phone call!

Paul Baka
SSLTrust Account Manager
Paul is considered to be SSLTrust's leading Cyber Security Expert and most knowledgeable on SSL/TLS Certificates and PKI Solutions.
Jeremy Schatten
SSL/TLS Platform Expert
Jeremy is our expert when it comes to installing any SSL Certificate and configuring a system to best security practices.

Frequently asked questions

: A code signing certificate serves to authenticate the source and integrity of software code. It digitally signs the code, verifying the software developer's or publisher's identity and ensuring that the code has not been tampered with since it was signed. This process helps users trust the software they download, as they can verify its authenticity and know malicious parties haven't altered it.
: To obtain a code signing certificate, follow these general steps:
Choose a Certificate Authority (CA): Select a reputable CA that offers code signing certificates.
Submit the Configuration: Submit the order configuration to the chosen CA and any required validation documentation.
Complete Validation: The CA will verify your identity and organisation details through various methods, such as individual or organisation validation.
Receive the Certificate: The CA will issue the code signing certificate once validated. If it is to be on a USB Token, it will be shipped to you.
Sign Your Code: Use the certificate to sign your software code before digital distribution.
Distribute Your Signed Code: Distribute your signed code along with the certificate, allowing users to verify its authenticity when they install or run the software.
It's important to note that the specific steps may vary slightly depending on the CA and the code signing tool you're using.
: Technically, you can create your code-signing certificate using tools like OpenSSL, which allows you to generate a self-signed certificate. However, self-signed certificates are not trusted by default by most operating systems and software platforms. When you sign code with a self-signed certificate, users will typically receive warnings or errors when attempting to run or install the software, as the certificate cannot be verified by a trusted Certificate Authority (CA).
For code signing certificates to be widely trusted and practical, they should be issued by a trusted CA. This involves a validation process where the CA verifies your identity and organisation details before issuing the certificate. This ensures that the certificate is trusted by operating systems and software platforms, reducing the likelihood of warnings or errors for users.
Therefore, while you can technically create your own code signing certificate, obtaining one from a trusted CA is recommended to ensure widespread trust and compatibility with users' systems.
: The main difference between a TLS (Transport Layer Security) certificate and a code signing certificate lies in their purpose and usage:
TLS Certificate:
Purpose: TLS certificates secure data transmitted over a network, typically between a web server and a web browser. They encrypt communication to ensure privacy and integrity.
Usage: TLS certificates are commonly used for securing websites (HTTPS), email servers (SMTP, IMAP, POP), virtual private networks (VPNs), and other network protocols.
Code Signing Certificate:
Purpose: Code signing certificates digitally sign software code or scripts. They verify the authenticity and integrity of the code, assuring users that it comes from a trusted source and has not been tampered with.
Usage: Code signing certificates are commonly used by software developers and publishers to sign executable files, installers, scripts, and other types of code. This allows users to verify the identity of the software publisher and ensure that malicious actors have not modified the code.
In summary, TLS certificates are primarily used to secure data transmitted over a network, while code signing certificates are used to verify the authenticity and integrity of software code.

Code Signing Certificates

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Secure Code

High Assurance Secure CodeTop Recommendation

Code Signing

EV Code Signing Certificate