Why Do Software Developers Need a Code Signing Certificate?

Introduction:

With its important role in security, trust, and compliance, a Code Signing Certificate is an important part of software development. As a provider of such assurances to end users, it allows a more secure software ecosystem where users know the code, they are running is authentic and not altered.

Code Signing Certificate Role in Software Security

A Code Signing Certificate allows the digital signature to software files. The signature, then, validates the software publisher’s identity and ensures that the code has not been tampered with since it was signed. Comodo Code Signing certificate, DigiCert Code Signing certificate, Sectigo Code Signing certificates are a few well-known digital certificates available nowadays.

Why do software developers/publishers need a Code Signing Certificate?

A code Signing certificate is crucial for software, drivers, apps, and binary files. A software developer should get such a digital signature certificate for some reasons, which are explained:

• Authenticity: Code signing certificates offer authenticity by digitally signing software. The certificate assures that the software code is from a trusted source. As a result, end users trust the software and can safely download it.
• Integrity: Software code should be intact and not tampered with or altered when you use a Code Signing Certificate. If there is any change in code after it is signed, it makes the signature invalid and warns end users that the software is compromised.
• Security: A code signing certificate guarantees code integrity and assures the software developer’s integrity. Digital Signature offers a higher assurance about code authenticity.
• Reputation: When a developer signs a code using a Code Signing certificate, it shows users that a verified publisher is behind the software, app, driver, etc. Thus, trustworthiness and reliability are established with a Code Signing certificate.
• Compliance: The digital signature certificate follows industry standards and regulations that mandate to use digital signature embedded with a Code Signing certificate. Thus, it ensures that the software meets requirements.
• User Confidence: End users can feel confident only when they see that the software is authenticated and is from a trusted source. A Code Signing certificate brings a digital signature to software code that makes software reliable. It will increase download rates in the future.

Steps to Sign Software with Code Signing Process

A Code Signing certificate is an essential security that protects software, app, and driver code from being manipulated, thus saving its integrity and authenticity. A user knows that the code is coming from a trusted source, which instils confidence in the user and software developers. Let us know about its process.

Here is how code signing works:

Step 1. The Developer Creates the Code

The first step is where a software developer creates a code for an application, software, driver, etc.

Step 2. Generate a Cryptographic Hash

In the second step, a developer creates a hash for the software or app, which acts like a code’s digital footprint. A hash is a unique and fixed-size string of numbers and letters.

Step 3. The Developer Uses a Code Signing Certificate

A developer requests a Code Signing certificate. After verification by a certificate authority, a Code Signing certificate is issued to the developer. This certificate includes a public and a private key pair and assures about a developer’s identity. Here, a private key is used to sign the code, whereas a public key is distributed among end users who download the software.

Step 4. Signing the Code

A developer then uses a private key to sign the hash of a code; thus, a signed hash and a certificate are both attached to the software. Finally, this package is distributed among users for downloading.

Step 5. Verification on the User’s End

A user downloads software; the user system verifies the code signature. The system verifies a digital signature as well as matches the hash created at the time of signing with the hash of the downloaded code. If both hashes are matched, it guarantees that the code is intact and valid. In case of a mismatch hash or digital signature, the software throws a warning to users.

How to Obtain a Code Signing Certificate?

A developer can obtain a Code Signing certificate easily nowadays. The process includes a few steps that can lead to software integrity. The steps include:

Step 1. Choose a Certificate Authority:

The first step is to choose a Code Signing certificate from well-known authorities. Few digital signature certs like Sectigo Code Signing cert, DigiCert digital signature cert, and Comodo Code Signing certificate or any other you wish to go with for signing your code.

Step 2. Choose a Validation Type:

Code Signing certificate follows Organization Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV). OV validation type is a standard validation level that is suitable for developers and SMBs. The certificate authority undergoes validation by checking business registration documents. In the EV validation type, the certificate authority follows thorough verification of an organization that includes the legal and operational status of an organization, as well as performs telephonic verification for verification.

Step 3. Complete Identity Verification:

The certificate verifies all the details, including basic identity, the legal existence of an organization, physical address, business-related documents, and call verification.

Step 4. Certificate issuance:

After the verification process, the certificate authority issues a Code Signing certificate, which a developer needs to install the certificate.

Step 5. Install Code Signing Certificate:

Installation of a Code Signing certificate may vary according to the certificate authority and certificate methods like using the HSM method or Token method. We will discuss the process of installing a Code Signing certificate on a YubiKey 5 FIPS HSM device.

1. First, download and install YubiKey Manager from Yubico’s website.
2. Browse the Applications section. Choose PIV to access the features related to Personal Identity Verification.
3. Now, browse the settings in PIV, find ‘Configure Certificates,’ and click on it.
4. Choose the Authentication tab.
5. Press the Import button and import the Code Signing certificate into the YubiKey.
6. Now, input the Management Key of your YubiKey 5 FIPS device and click OK.
7. Finally, insert the PIN for your YubiKey 5 FIPS device. After entering the PIN, click OK, which will complete the installation process.

Why is Code Signing Critical in Software Development?

Code Signing certificate verifies the publisher’s identity as well as ensures end users about the software’s integrity and trustworthiness. The certificate prevents software warnings like “untrusted publisher” or “unverified publisher” and increases user trust. This digital signing certificate also prevents malware distribution with a proper process of code signing process. A new software version, when released, should be signed with a Code Signing certificate.

Conclusion:

Code Signing certificate is a major part in developer and user trust building, especially regarding protecting the reputation of developers, and the safety of software distribution channels. There are diverse options in the market who offer cheap Code Signing certificate for your software. Code signing certificate can increase user experience as well as it helps in reducing malware exposure and generates a safe digital environment.