A Complete Guide to Code Signing Certificates and their Working

Code signing certificates confirm the users that the program or app they are downloading is coming from a verified publisher. Given the rise in cybercrimes nowadays, code signing is playing an important part in protecting users from hackers. Not only this, but code signing certificates also help the publisher to keep an eye on their code and make necessary changes if fraudsters have tempered the program. Let’s move ahead to know more about code signing certificates and their working as well.

What is Code Signing Certificate?

A code signing certificate helps the programmers and app developers prove the authenticity of their code, application, or any other executable to the customers. In other ways, whenever a developer creates an application or software or makes changes to an already existing file, the publisher has to put its signature before releasing it. And they can do this utilizing a code signing certificate. By signing their code or application, they can confirm the users that they are downloading the software from a verified publisher.

If someone (probably, a hacker) tries to alter the code that has already been signed by the publisher, then users and the developer are notified about it. The users can see an “Unknown Publisher” warning on the program or app that has been tempered after the code signing process. A code signing certificate notifies the publishers as well so that they can take the necessary action to stop the attack by cybercriminals.  

Code signing is beneficial both for the users and the publishers. Users have the guarantee that they are downloading the code from a trusted developer. Code owners, on the other hand, can secure their programs from hackers and can make the required changes immediately if someone has altered the code or app. 

How Does a Code Signing Certificate Work?

A code signing certificate has a simple process that you need to understand. It has two sides to consider – what occurs at the publisher’s end and what goes at the user’s end. 

Here is what happens at the developer’s end:

• First of all, the developer has to get to code signing certificate from a certification authority (CA).
• As the publisher wants to release its software or app, he/she cannot use a self-signed certificate and needs to get one from a trusted CA.
• The author of the code requests for a code signing certificate to the CA.
• CA authenticates the identity of the individual or company requesting for code signing certificate and issues the certificate after the validation process.
• The author uses the private key to sign the code and releases it for use by the users.
• A hash is generated when the author attaches the signature to the file.

Now have a look at what occurs at the user’s end:

• The user downloads the program signed by the author.
• The user’s system decodes the signature by using the public key.
• Now, the system compares the hash that was generated while signing the code with the hash received after downloading the code. If there is a mismatch between the two hashes, then you will see an error notification, may not be able to download the code, or can download it based on the security configurations of the client.

Root Certificate

The authenticity of a certificate depends on the integrity of the authority that issued it. When the user’s system decodes the digital signature of the publisher, it looks for the root certificate to validate the identity of the issuing party. 

Here if a developer has used a self-signed certificate, then the system will not accept it because it does not have the root certificate on its own browser or operating system. 

While a certificate signed by a well-known and trusted certification authority has its root certificate in almost all the browsers and operating systems. This confirms the identity of the certificate issuing organization and the system starts downloading the code or file. 

Benefits of Code Signing Certificates

Code signing certificates help protect the users and publishers from cybercriminals. Here are some of the best advantages of using a code signing certificate.

• Enhances Company’s Reputation

The use of the code signing certificate for program, app, and/or any other executable file’s authentication and verification removes the possibility of program alteration and tampering. The firm’s image, as well as intellectual property, will be protected as a result of this.

Companies can gain more from users trusting their software packages, files, and other downloads by improving trust on both sides. With a better reputation, you can expect a significant boost in customer loyalty.

• Confirms the Authenticity of the Code

A code signing certificate confirms the authenticity of the code or app utilizing the hash functions. When the publisher signs the code, a hash mark is generated. When the user downloads the code, a hash mark is received. 

Both these hash marks are compared to each other. If they match, then the integrity of the code is confirmed. If two hash marks are different from each other, then the user’s system will show a security warning or will stop the downloading process. 

• Safe and Seamless Experience for Users

The usage of a code signing certificate ensures a consistent user experience, reducing security alerts and installation problems while increasing code distribution and revenue possibilities. Signing your software assures that it hasn’t been modified and is genuine. 

Conclusion

Code signing is a crucial security mechanism that adds an extra layer of protection. Attackers try to obtain legit certificates using hacked company data in today’s digital world. As a consequence, code signing protects against this by verifying the source of the program or app.

 It refers to the procedure of validating the integrity of digitally executable code. Furthermore, code signing assures that the code is not tampered with or damaged. It helps improve the relationship between the users and the authors. It almost promotes a safe and seamless experience for users.