How to Install DigiCert Code Signing Certificate? – Security Boulevard

A Step-by-Step Installation Guide for DigiCert Code Signing

Code Signing Certificates are critical for assuring users that the software they download or install originates from a trusted source. The installation involves utilizing the DigiCert Certificate Utility for Windows, streamlining certificate management tasks.

Properly installing a DigiCert Code Signing Certificate is essential to demonstrate your code’s authenticity and intactness. Correctly following the installation instructions can build trust with users and safeguard your software from manipulation. The following will walk you through the point-by-point installation instructions for deploying a DigiCert Code Signing Certificate on a Windows computer.

Before installing the code signing certificate, let’s review the prerequisites.

Prerequisites

Before you begin the installation process, ensure that you have the following prerequisites in place:

How to Import the Code Signing Certificate

Follow these steps to import and install your code signing certificate:

Step 1: Locate the Certificate Files

Extract the contents of the zip file DigiCert provided with your code signing certificate. Save the extracted files to the same directory that contains the DigiCert Certificate Utility executable (DigiCertUtil.exe).

Step 2: Run the DigiCert Certificate Utility

Locate the DigiCertUtil.exe file and double-click to run the DigiCert Certificate Utility for Windows.

Step 3: Select Code Signing

In the DigiCert Certificate Utility for Windows©, click on the Code Signing (shield) option from the menu at the top of the window.

Step 4: Import the Certificate

Click on the “Import” option in the Certificate Import wizard. Browse to the location of the certificate file (cer, crt, or p7b) that you received from DigiCert. Select the file, click “Open,” then click “Next.”

Step 5: Provide a Friendly Name

In the “Enter a new friendly name” box, type a friendly name for the certificate. This name will help identify the certificate and can include information such as “DigiCert” and the expiration date. Click “Finish” to import the code signing certificate.

Step 6: Confirmation

Once the certificate import is successful, you will receive a message confirming the installation. Click “OK” to close the message.

Step 7: Verify Certificate Installation

To ensure the successful installation of your code signing certificate, navigate to the DigiCert Certificate Utility for Windows©. Under Code Signing Certificates^[1], you should see your imported certificate listed.

How to Verify the DigiCert Code Signing Certificate Installed Properly or Not?

After importing the code signing certificate, verifying its installation is essential to ensure everything is set up correctly. The DigiCert Certificate Utility for Windows provides an easy way to check the certificate’s status.

Follow these steps to verify the certificate installation:

Step 1: Open the DigiCert Certificate Utility

Open the DigiCert Certificate Utility for Windows© and click on the Code Signing (blue and silver shield) option.

Step 2: Check Signature

Choose the “Check Signature” option to pick and open the file whose signature you want to verify. The utility will show a green check mark stating, “The file’s signature was verified successfully.“.

Step 3: Additional Checks

If you added a timestamp to the signature, you would also see a green checkmark indicating that “DigiCert Inc time-stamped the signature on ‘Date and Time.‘” For kernel-mode signing, the utility provides Kernel Mode Cross Certificate information.

Conclusion on How to Install DigiCert Code Signing

By following the outlined steps, you can successfully install a DigiCert Code Signing Certificate on your Windows computer. The code signing certificate adds trust and security^[2] to your software, ensuring that users can verify its authenticity. Start signing your code with confidence and protect your applications from unauthorized modifications.

FAQs

Can I use the DigiCert Certificate Utility for Windows on other operating systems?

No, the DigiCert Certificate Utility for Windows is specifically designed for Windows operating systems.

Is it mandatory to add a timestamp to the code signing certificate?

Adding a timestamp to the code signing certificate^[3] is optional. However, it is recommended as it allows the signature to remain valid even after the certificate has expired.

Can I use the code signing certificate for multiple applications?

Once you have installed the code signing certificate, you can use it to sign multiple applications or software packages.

How long is a DigiCert Code Signing Certificate valid?

The validity period of a DigiCert Code Signing Certificate varies depending on the certificate type and the validity period chosen during the purchase. Generally, code signing certificates are available for one to three years.

Where can I purchase a DigiCert Code Signing Certificate?

You can purchase a DigiCert Code Signing Certificate directly from the DigiCert website. Visit their official website and explore their range of code signing certificate options. You can also read the DigiCert CA reviews^[4] here before purchasing.

The post How to Install DigiCert Code Signing Certificate?^[5] appeared first on SSLWiki^[6].

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from SSLWiki^[7] authored by SSLWiki^[8]. Read the original post at: https://sslwiki.org/how-to-install-digicert-code-signing-certificate/^[9]