Once you have finished developing a new executable or driver, it will need to be code signed for security.
If you do that yourself, however, it will require having your own certificate and going through the complicated process of applying for one. That is why many companies nowadays use an online code signing service instead.
What is online code signing? — There is nothing complicated involved with using a code signing service to sign your executable. This is done by you uploading your program to the service. This can be done in just a couple of minutes via their website.
Once the program has been uploaded, you only need to pay the small fee, then the service will go to work code signing your program for you. Once completed, a message will appear, and you can then safely download your program. It is now code signed and secure.
The entire process takes under 10 minutes and, at a cost of around $30 per program, it is extremely affordable.
What are the benefits of online code signing? — The convenience is a major benefit, as you will not have to waste time and effort applying for your own certificate.
Another benefit is the cost. At $30 per executable, it is a price any company can afford.
The code signing adds credibility to your program, as it proves to customers no changes have been made to the software and that it is completely secure and safe to use.
When the program is installed, customers will also find they do not receive warnings from their operating system about an unauthorized or potentially harmful program. This increases their trust in your company and your products.
If you choose a company offering Extended Validation code signing, this will increase your credibility even more. Extended Validation (EV) certificates are known to have extremely strict requirements. This means, if your program has been code signed in this way, it is a program that can be trusted even more than others.
You will find a number of online code signing services available. Be sure to read reviews of each of them before you use one. That way you can be sure of their trustworthiness.
