![\"code](\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/code-signing-certificate-mechanism-1024x324.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/code-signing-validation-mechanism-1024x443.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCode Signing Best Practices<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLet\u2019s\ntake a look at the code signing best practices outlined by the CA Security Council\nin its white\npaper<\/a>:\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"code](\"https:\/\/sectigostore.com\/page\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/code-signing-eco-system.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCode Signing Best Practice One: Restrict Access to Private Keys<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnly authorized personnel should be granted\naccess to computers with the code signing keys. Proper care to enforce access\ncontrol using physical security solutions alongside their software counterparts\ncan help to establish strict accountability for the use of private keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Code Signing Best Practice Two: Store Private Keys with Cryptographic Hardware Solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n- As a minimum protection\nstandard, use a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2\ncertified cryptographic device. These devices do not permit the private key to\nbe exported.<\/li>
- Using an EV code signing\ncertificate necessitates storing the private key generated in a cryptographic\nhardware device (smart cards, USB tokens, etc.).<\/li>
- Physically secure the device in\na locked cabinet and ensure that it\u2019s not left lying around, inviting the\npossibility of theft.<\/li>
- Ensure that the hardware device\nholding the private keys is protected with a strong randomly generated password\nat least 16 characters in length that contains uppercase and lowercase letters,\nnumbers, and special characters.<\/li>
- Microsoft code signing best\npractices also recommend the destruction of these private keys either by\noverwriting the devices or physically destroying them.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code Signing Best Practice Three: Always Timestamp Your Code<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n- Timestamping extends the trust\nbeyond the validity period of the code signing certificate. It enables the code\nto be verified even after the certificate has expired or been revoked. The\nrevocation is dependent on a specific date and signatures issued before the\nrevocation date remain valid.<\/li>
- Timestamp certificates can be\nissued up to a maximum validity period of 135 months.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code\nSigning Best Practice Four: Note the Difference Between a Test-Signing\nCertificate and Release-Signing Certificate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n- A test signing certificate is used to sign prerelease builds of software and are trusted only within the test environment. The test signing certificate can be self-signed or be signed by an internal CA who is trusted within the internal corporate network.<\/li>
- A release signing certificate is used to sign the production code that will be shipped to end-users. Users across the globe will trust the root certificate used to sign this publicly released build. <\/li>
- Set up a separate code signing infrastructure to sign the prerelease code. Test-signing private keys and certificates, therefore, require less stringent security access controls than release signing certificate and keys<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Shop for Code Signing Certificates \u2013 Save 53%<\/h2>\n
Save 53%<\/strong> on Sectigo Code Signing Certificates. It ensures software integrity with 2048-bit RSA signature key.<\/p>\nShop for Sectigo Code Signing and Save 53%<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nCode Signing Best Practice Five: Authenticate the Code to Be Signed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n- Any code submitted for signing\nneeds to be authenticated before it is signed and released.<\/li>
- According to Microsoft code\nsigning best practices, a streamlined process for submission and approval of\ncode should be implemented to stop unapproved or malicious code from being\nsigned.<\/li>
- For maintaining audit logs, and\nfor escalation of incident-response cases, keep a record of all code signing\nactivities.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code Signing Best Practice Six: Scan the Code for Viruses Before Signing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n- Code signing verifies the\nidentity of the publisher but not the nature or quality of the code. It merely\ngives assurance that the software has not been tampered with after the author\nlast signed it.<\/li>
- Malicious snippets can be\nintroduced, especially when incorporating code from other third-party sources.\nAs a precautionary measure, it\u2019s essential to run virus scans to help improve\nthe security of the released code.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code\nSigning Best Practice Seven: Revocation of Compromised Certificates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u2022 If there is a security breach, the issue needs to be reported to the CA. It might necessitate the revocation of the code signing certificate.
\u2022 If your code has been timestamped, the revocation date can be set to before the breach occurred. This implies that the code signed before the revocation date has not been impacted.
\u2022 If further clean code is released, the revocation will impact this code as well. It can be eliminated by changing keys and certificates to avoid conflicts and distributing the risk with multiple certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OV vs EV Code Signing Certificate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n Features<\/strong>\n <\/th>\n Sectigo Code Signing<\/strong>\n <\/th>\n Sectigo EV Code Signing<\/strong>\n <\/th>\n <\/tr>\n \n Certificate Authority<\/td>\n Sectigo<\/td>\n Sectigo<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Certificate Type<\/td>\n OV Code Signing<\/td>\n EV Code Signing<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Validation Type<\/td>\n Organization Validation<\/td>\n Extended Validation<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Multiple year options<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Encryption strength<\/td>\n 256-Bit SHA-2<\/td>\n 256-Bit SHA-2<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Issuance Time<\/td>\n 1 to 3 Business Days<\/td>\n 1 to 5 Business Days<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Immediate Reputation with Microsoft\u2019s SmartScreen Filter<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Two-factor Authentication<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Microsoft Authenticode Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Android Apps Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Apple OS X Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Java Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Apple OS X Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Microsoft Office VBA Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Adobe Air Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Windows Vista x64 Kernel Mode Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Windows Phone Apps Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Qualcomm Brew App Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Microsoft Office Document Security<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Free Re-issuance<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Support Options<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Refund Policy<\/td>\n 30 Days<\/td>\n 30 Days<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Lowest Price<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n From $79\/year\n <\/td> \n From $289.67\/year\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Buy Now<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n View Product<\/strong><\/a>\n <\/td>\n View Product<\/strong><\/a>\n <\/td>\n <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\nWhat is a Microsoft EV Code Signing Certificate? <\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCode Signing Best Practice One: Restrict Access to Private Keys<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOnly authorized personnel should be granted\naccess to computers with the code signing keys. Proper care to enforce access\ncontrol using physical security solutions alongside their software counterparts\ncan help to establish strict accountability for the use of private keys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Code Signing Best Practice Two: Store Private Keys with Cryptographic Hardware Solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n- As a minimum protection\nstandard, use a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2\ncertified cryptographic device. These devices do not permit the private key to\nbe exported.<\/li>
- Using an EV code signing\ncertificate necessitates storing the private key generated in a cryptographic\nhardware device (smart cards, USB tokens, etc.).<\/li>
- Physically secure the device in\na locked cabinet and ensure that it\u2019s not left lying around, inviting the\npossibility of theft.<\/li>
- Ensure that the hardware device\nholding the private keys is protected with a strong randomly generated password\nat least 16 characters in length that contains uppercase and lowercase letters,\nnumbers, and special characters.<\/li>
- Microsoft code signing best\npractices also recommend the destruction of these private keys either by\noverwriting the devices or physically destroying them.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code Signing Best Practice Three: Always Timestamp Your Code<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n- Timestamping extends the trust\nbeyond the validity period of the code signing certificate. It enables the code\nto be verified even after the certificate has expired or been revoked. The\nrevocation is dependent on a specific date and signatures issued before the\nrevocation date remain valid.<\/li>
- Timestamp certificates can be\nissued up to a maximum validity period of 135 months.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code\nSigning Best Practice Four: Note the Difference Between a Test-Signing\nCertificate and Release-Signing Certificate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n- A test signing certificate is used to sign prerelease builds of software and are trusted only within the test environment. The test signing certificate can be self-signed or be signed by an internal CA who is trusted within the internal corporate network.<\/li>
- A release signing certificate is used to sign the production code that will be shipped to end-users. Users across the globe will trust the root certificate used to sign this publicly released build. <\/li>
- Set up a separate code signing infrastructure to sign the prerelease code. Test-signing private keys and certificates, therefore, require less stringent security access controls than release signing certificate and keys<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Shop for Code Signing Certificates \u2013 Save 53%<\/h2>\n
Save 53%<\/strong> on Sectigo Code Signing Certificates. It ensures software integrity with 2048-bit RSA signature key.<\/p>\nShop for Sectigo Code Signing and Save 53%<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nCode Signing Best Practice Five: Authenticate the Code to Be Signed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n- Any code submitted for signing\nneeds to be authenticated before it is signed and released.<\/li>
- According to Microsoft code\nsigning best practices, a streamlined process for submission and approval of\ncode should be implemented to stop unapproved or malicious code from being\nsigned.<\/li>
- For maintaining audit logs, and\nfor escalation of incident-response cases, keep a record of all code signing\nactivities.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code Signing Best Practice Six: Scan the Code for Viruses Before Signing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n- Code signing verifies the\nidentity of the publisher but not the nature or quality of the code. It merely\ngives assurance that the software has not been tampered with after the author\nlast signed it.<\/li>
- Malicious snippets can be\nintroduced, especially when incorporating code from other third-party sources.\nAs a precautionary measure, it\u2019s essential to run virus scans to help improve\nthe security of the released code.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code\nSigning Best Practice Seven: Revocation of Compromised Certificates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u2022 If there is a security breach, the issue needs to be reported to the CA. It might necessitate the revocation of the code signing certificate.
\u2022 If your code has been timestamped, the revocation date can be set to before the breach occurred. This implies that the code signed before the revocation date has not been impacted.
\u2022 If further clean code is released, the revocation will impact this code as well. It can be eliminated by changing keys and certificates to avoid conflicts and distributing the risk with multiple certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OV vs EV Code Signing Certificate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n Features<\/strong>\n <\/th>\n Sectigo Code Signing<\/strong>\n <\/th>\n Sectigo EV Code Signing<\/strong>\n <\/th>\n <\/tr>\n \n Certificate Authority<\/td>\n Sectigo<\/td>\n Sectigo<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Certificate Type<\/td>\n OV Code Signing<\/td>\n EV Code Signing<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Validation Type<\/td>\n Organization Validation<\/td>\n Extended Validation<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Multiple year options<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Encryption strength<\/td>\n 256-Bit SHA-2<\/td>\n 256-Bit SHA-2<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Issuance Time<\/td>\n 1 to 3 Business Days<\/td>\n 1 to 5 Business Days<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Immediate Reputation with Microsoft\u2019s SmartScreen Filter<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Two-factor Authentication<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Microsoft Authenticode Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Android Apps Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Apple OS X Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Java Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Apple OS X Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Microsoft Office VBA Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Adobe Air Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Windows Vista x64 Kernel Mode Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Windows Phone Apps Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Qualcomm Brew App Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Microsoft Office Document Security<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Free Re-issuance<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Support Options<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Refund Policy<\/td>\n 30 Days<\/td>\n 30 Days<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Lowest Price<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n From $79\/year\n <\/td> \n From $289.67\/year\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Buy Now<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n View Product<\/strong><\/a>\n <\/td>\n View Product<\/strong><\/a>\n <\/td>\n <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\nWhat is a Microsoft EV Code Signing Certificate? <\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
- As a minimum protection\nstandard, use a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 Level 2\ncertified cryptographic device. These devices do not permit the private key to\nbe exported.<\/li>
- Using an EV code signing\ncertificate necessitates storing the private key generated in a cryptographic\nhardware device (smart cards, USB tokens, etc.).<\/li>
- Physically secure the device in\na locked cabinet and ensure that it\u2019s not left lying around, inviting the\npossibility of theft.<\/li>
- Ensure that the hardware device\nholding the private keys is protected with a strong randomly generated password\nat least 16 characters in length that contains uppercase and lowercase letters,\nnumbers, and special characters.<\/li>
- Microsoft code signing best\npractices also recommend the destruction of these private keys either by\noverwriting the devices or physically destroying them.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code Signing Best Practice Three: Always Timestamp Your Code<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Timestamping extends the trust\nbeyond the validity period of the code signing certificate. It enables the code\nto be verified even after the certificate has expired or been revoked. The\nrevocation is dependent on a specific date and signatures issued before the\nrevocation date remain valid.<\/li>
- Timestamp certificates can be\nissued up to a maximum validity period of 135 months.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code\nSigning Best Practice Four: Note the Difference Between a Test-Signing\nCertificate and Release-Signing Certificate<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- A test signing certificate is used to sign prerelease builds of software and are trusted only within the test environment. The test signing certificate can be self-signed or be signed by an internal CA who is trusted within the internal corporate network.<\/li>
- A release signing certificate is used to sign the production code that will be shipped to end-users. Users across the globe will trust the root certificate used to sign this publicly released build. <\/li>
- Set up a separate code signing infrastructure to sign the prerelease code. Test-signing private keys and certificates, therefore, require less stringent security access controls than release signing certificate and keys<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Shop for Code Signing Certificates \u2013 Save 53%<\/h2>\n
Save 53%<\/strong> on Sectigo Code Signing Certificates. It ensures software integrity with 2048-bit RSA signature key.<\/p>\n
Shop for Sectigo Code Signing and Save 53%<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Code Signing Best Practice Five: Authenticate the Code to Be Signed<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Any code submitted for signing\nneeds to be authenticated before it is signed and released.<\/li>
- According to Microsoft code\nsigning best practices, a streamlined process for submission and approval of\ncode should be implemented to stop unapproved or malicious code from being\nsigned.<\/li>
- For maintaining audit logs, and\nfor escalation of incident-response cases, keep a record of all code signing\nactivities.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code Signing Best Practice Six: Scan the Code for Viruses Before Signing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- Code signing verifies the\nidentity of the publisher but not the nature or quality of the code. It merely\ngives assurance that the software has not been tampered with after the author\nlast signed it.<\/li>
- Malicious snippets can be\nintroduced, especially when incorporating code from other third-party sources.\nAs a precautionary measure, it\u2019s essential to run virus scans to help improve\nthe security of the released code.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Code\nSigning Best Practice Seven: Revocation of Compromised Certificates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 If there is a security breach, the issue needs to be reported to the CA. It might necessitate the revocation of the code signing certificate.
\u2022 If your code has been timestamped, the revocation date can be set to before the breach occurred. This implies that the code signed before the revocation date has not been impacted.
\u2022 If further clean code is released, the revocation will impact this code as well. It can be eliminated by changing keys and certificates to avoid conflicts and distributing the risk with multiple certificates.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOV vs EV Code Signing Certificate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n Features<\/strong>\n <\/th> \n Sectigo Code Signing<\/strong>\n <\/th> \n Sectigo EV Code Signing<\/strong>\n <\/th>\n <\/tr>\n \n Certificate Authority<\/td>\n Sectigo<\/td>\n Sectigo<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Certificate Type<\/td>\n OV Code Signing<\/td>\n EV Code Signing<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Validation Type<\/td>\n Organization Validation<\/td>\n Extended Validation<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Multiple year options<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Encryption strength<\/td>\n 256-Bit SHA-2<\/td>\n 256-Bit SHA-2<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Issuance Time<\/td>\n 1 to 3 Business Days<\/td>\n 1 to 5 Business Days<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Immediate Reputation with Microsoft\u2019s SmartScreen Filter<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Two-factor Authentication<\/td>\n No<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Microsoft Authenticode Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Android Apps Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Apple OS X Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Java Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Apple OS X Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Microsoft Office VBA Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Adobe Air Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Windows Vista x64 Kernel Mode Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Windows Phone Apps Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Qualcomm Brew App Signing<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Microsoft Office Document Security<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Free Re-issuance<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Support Options<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n Yes<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Refund Policy<\/td>\n 30 Days<\/td>\n 30 Days<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Lowest Price<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n From $79\/year\n <\/td> \n From $289.67\/year\n <\/td>\n <\/tr>\n \n Buy Now<\/strong>\n <\/td> \n View Product<\/strong><\/a>\n <\/td> \n View Product<\/strong><\/a>\n <\/td>\n <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\nWhat is a Microsoft EV Code Signing Certificate? <\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"