With a code signing certificate, you can sign a driver that any Windows operating system will trust and its users can avoid the annoying warnings that tell them that their drivers are from a company that nor is trusted.
Code signing certificates: more trust for users
It has never been considered the opportunity that when downloading software from the internet is a victim of any scam or damage. Perhaps, Isn't it feasible that there is a scammer behind one of these websites and is tricking you into downloading malware-infected software instead of the software you want??
It's easy to check the legitimacy of a software/app before installing it on your computer, thanks to the code signing certificate.
A EV Code Signing Certificates, as its name suggests, Enables programmers and developers to sign their scripts, codes and executables before making them public. Thus, signing a software/code provides two things:
- Maintains the integrity of the software/application/code by preventing any alteration by any unauthorized entity.
- Helps users identify the legitimacy of the software/code company/developer through publisher/developer verification.
How to request a code signing certificate? (Windows driver signing certificate)
In the event that a developer releases new software and wants to communicate to their users that they have signed the code, you must submit a code signing certificate request to a certificate authority (THAT) Recognized. This ecosystem is considered “public key infrastructure” (PKI) O “asymmetric encryption”.
After sending a code signing certificate request to a CA, the certification authority will verify your identity/legitimacy to make sure you are who you say you are. At the time of giving the complete verification procedure, the ca issues you the code signing certificate. This certificate may seem like a kind of award, but it's none of that. It has a bunch of files that are used to encrypt and sign your code.
When your certificate application is accepted, two keys are generated. These keys are known as:
- “public key”
- “private key”
Both keys are different, but mathematically associated. This is why at the same time they are known as a “key pair”. The private key is assumed to be, as you can guess from your name, must be stored safely by you. It is stored on your PC and never sent to the certificate authority. The public key, that is publicly enabled, is sent to the certificate authority and subsequently issued its certificate.
When you want to sign your software or code, you must apply the private key to apply the digital signature to your software/code. This does two things..
- Encrypts your software/application code so that no one can alter it without your permission.
- Attach your signature (identity) to the software so that a user can check it once they download it on their devices.
In this way, helps users be sure of the legitimacy of the software or app they have downloaded.
Protect your software with code signing
The certificate allows us to add a layer of digital code signing security in our software. The name of the developer/publisher is displayed when your computer asks for permission when your device installs it.
What would happen without a code signing certificate?
The first and most obvious, it's easy for scammers to post fake files on your behalf and trick users into installing them on their systems. This will possibly damage your fame.
On the other hand, if you have developed unsigned software using your code signing certificate (Windows driver signing certificate), then microsoft smartscreen displays a warning to the user, saying the software is from an unverified publisher. Displaying the warning will likely have an impact on users' trust levels.
Why should I get Code Signing Certificates?
- Ability to sign your driver packages
You get the ability to sign windows drivers for the duration of your code signing certificate. drivers are valid indefinitely after you sign them.
- Transmit trust and transparency
The user will rate secure and verified software.
EV Code Signing vs OV Code Signing
When it comes to code signing certificates, there are two types:
- organization validation code signing certificates (OV)
- extended validation code signing certificates (EV).
ov code signing certificates are the most commonly used type of code signing certificates. To obtain an OV code signing certificate, must undergo an investigation procedure performed by your CA.
To obtain an EV code signing certificate, A rigorous investigation procedure must be passed. One of the significant differences between an OV and EV code signing certificate is that an EV certificate can only be delivered in a USB hardware token.. This token enables two-factor authentication, which improves your security and makes it a better choice compared to OV certificates. And this is why Microsoft has made EV code signing mandatory for drivers created for Windows 10.
In summary
Code signing certificates are often uncharted territory for most people. In this guide we have tried to help you better understand code signing certificates (Windows driver signing certificates). It is essential to remember that you must store them in a safe place. That's because, a certificate is only as secure as its private key.
