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Free code signing certificate is an illusion. Such claims often lead to potential security risks by compromising software integrity.
The digital world is massive, and millions of users download software applications daily for personal or official use. Though nobody wants to download a compromised application, which can affect their systems, the majority of the users seem to be unaware of the security of these applications, i.e., they are unaware whether the applications they are downloading are secured or not.
That’s the sole reason why operating systems like Microsoft, Apple, Android issue warning messages for unaware users who are trying to download these compromised applications.
When seen from the perspective of software developers, these messages mean acceptance or cancellation of their software download. Of course, these cancellations are unfortunate for their business.
Hence, code signing certificates were introduced to prevent these adverse situations, message alerts, cancelled downloads, and gain reliability.
Is a Free Code Signing Certificate a Reality or a Fact?
A code signing certificate is very important for keeping software safe. You can buy one for a low price from many online sellers but finding a truly free and reliable one is almost impossible.
According to experts, the idea of a free code signing certificate is often a myth or, worse, a trick used by hackers. These attackers use scams and tricks to fool people. They want people to download fake certificates. These fake certs can cause security problems, like ransomware.
Few companies provide a free certificate to attract customers, but these are usually just trial offers. After a short period, typically one month, three months, or a year, they begin charging for the certificate.
That is why it’s much safer to buy a paid certificate. This helps keep your software safe. It also protects the people who are using it.
In the end, there is no such thing as a completely free, trustworthy code signing certificate.
Whether it’s a trick by hackers or a way to sell something, paying for a certificate is always safer and is a more secure option to protect your software and users.
Why is a Code Signing Certificate Important for Software and Application?
The importance of this digital certificate can be judged from the below-mentioned factors. Let’s check them out.
Establishes Credibility
An application must be digitally signed with a reliable code signing certificate to establish Credibility.
A few operating systems like Windows inform the users via alerts whenever they download an unsecured application.
Validates the Publisher’s Identity
It’s not easy for a fraudster to obtain a code signing certificate because the Certificate Authorities (CAs) confirm the publisher’s identity through their extensive vetting process. This includes cross-checking legal documents like government id, telephone verification, locality presence, organization authentication, and final verification call.
In the case of individual verification, the organization’s checking will be excluded. Once the CA is satisfied with the verification process, they will issue the same to the concerned publisher.
This certificate mentions the software publisher’s identity, as shown in the above image.
Confirmation of Authenticity
When codes and executables are signed digitally using code signing certificate by the software developer using this certificate, it symbolizes authenticity to the customers and end-users.
The signature is proof of genuine software and a publisher whose name is imbibed on it. Other confirmation includes the authenticity of the application and ensures that the same is not compromised by intruders, thus giving a secured signal to users.
Preserves Code Integrity
Cyber-criminals always find means to transfer malicious codes into systems, networks, and applications. These criminals alter the software applications and imitate the reliable software applications to cheat users. This move can hoax users into downloading these malicious codes into their networks.
Their motto to grab sensitive data of users is fulfilled by this move. Laypeople find it difficult to guess the issue at an initial stage.
Code signing certificates are used to prevent these mishaps, which preserve code integrity by digitally signing apps and instilling confidence amongst its users.
Guaranties Publisher’s Liability
Being a software publisher, you can be held liable for the security breaches caused by malicious hackers imitating your applications. The same can be prevented by using a code signing certificate that authenticates software and its updates.
This, in turn, guarantees the publisher’s liability in case of any legal controversies.
Increases Brand Reputation
When customers download any application, these certificates show your business name in front of the “Verified Publisher” field, which tends to increase your business reputation.
Boosts Trust & Revenue
A rise in brand reputation and credibility helps boost user trust and, in turn, enhance business revenue.
Prevents Security Warnings
When an application/software is digitally signed with this certificate, all the warning alerts displayed in case of a suspicious application download are eliminated.
Efficiency in Monitoring & Enforcement
When a code is signed digitally, you can detect malicious codes and files. Another advantage is that when the code is timestamped, the user will know about the validity of the code even after the certificate’s expiry date.
Does any Certificate Authority provide Free Code Signing Certificates?
The human mind always prefers cost-free as compared to paid. Be it free lunch, free goodies, free offers, free digital securities, free SSL, or free Code Signing Certificates.
Oops, sorry to disappoint you on this one.
Code Signing Certificates are not available to free of cost.
And let me warn you, beware of entities offering these certificates for free because they may invade your systems and contaminate them with malicious codes. Hence, it’s advisable to refrain from such freebies.
Reliable CAs never offer these certificates for free, but they offer multiple options to buy them.
- Free Trial Version: Some CAs offer these certificates for free on a limited basis for trial purposes. After the trial period is over, the publisher needs to pay the cost for the same.
- Free Code Signing Certificate: Beware!! It’s dangerous to trust this CA who is offering the same. Don’t ever approach such authorities.
Why don’t Certificate Authorities provide Free Code Signing Certificates?
Certificate Authorities (CAs) do not offer free code signing certificates for many reasons.
These reasons include the need for stricter validation. Issuing certificates also costs a lot. Plus, there are risks involved. Code signing makes software safe. It creates trust between developers and users. This process needs a lot of time, money, and effort from CAs.
Below is a breakdown of the major factors involved:
Higher Validation Levels: Code signing certificates need more detailed verification. This process includes two types of validation: Organizational Validation (OV) and Extended Validation (EV). They check if the company is registered, look at business papers, and make sure the company is legal.
In this level make sure that only trusted people can sign software. This keeps hackers from using fake names. It keeps them from spreading harmful software.
Operational Costs: Issuing code signing certificates require significant costs for CAs. They spend money in several areas. First, they must maintain secure systems to verify developers’ identities. They hire experts to check the documents that developers send in. They also spend money on safe storage and systems for the validation process. CAs have to spend money. That’s why they charge for code signing certificates.
Risk of Identity Fraud: Code signing certificates connect software to the developer. So, if the validation is not made properly then there is a higher risk of identity fraud.
To reduce this risk, Certificate Authorities (CAs) must carefully check the applicants’ information. This makes the process more complicated and costs more money. If a fraudster gets a code signing certificate, they can share harmful software. This can put users in danger because they trust that certificate.
Liability and Assurance: When a Certificate Authority (CA) issues a code signing certificate, they are saying that the developer is trustworthy. If the software is harmful. Then the CA might be held responsible. To protect themselves, CAs spend money on strong checks and monitoring. These processes can be expensive.
Offering these certificates for free would increase their liability without allowing them to recover their operational costs.
This process needs a lot of resources. Hence, CAs charge for certificates to pay for their expenses. That provides the safety of software for both developers and users. That is why CAs do not provide code signing certificates for free.
Are there any Certificate Authorities offering Cheap Code Signing Certificates?
There are various cheap code signing certificate providers in the market, ranging from Sectigo, Comodo, DigiCert, etc. The cheapest ones are available at SSL2BUY, which not only provides SHA-2 encryption but supports multiple platforms like MS Office, Adobe AIR, Mac, Linux OS, etc., and secures .exe, .msi, .dll, etc. formats in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.
| Best Buy | ||||
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Comodo Code Signing Certificate |
Comodo EV Code Signing Certificate |
DigiCert Code Signing Certificate |
DigiCert EV Code Signing Certificate |
|
| Price (per year) |
$226.10
|
$296.65
|
$380.00
|
$519.00
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW | |
| Vendor Price |
$296.00
|
$379.00
|
$588.00
|
$816.00
|
| Product SKU | S2BCMD316 | S2BCMD331 | S2BDIG527 | S2BDIG522 |
| Certificate Authority | Comodo | Comodo | DigiCert | DigiCert |
| Category | Code Signing Certificate | Code Signing Certificate | Code Signing Certificate | Code Signing Certificate |
| Validation Method | Organization Validation | Extended Validation | Organization Validation | Extended Validation |
| Key Storage | USB token or HSM | USB token or HSM | USB token or HSM | USB token or HSM |
| Delivery Method | Vendor Provided hardware token, and Hardware security module (HSM) | Vendor Provided hardware token, and Hardware security module (HSM) | Vendor Provided hardware token, Existing supported hardware token, Hardware security module (HSM), Cloud HSM | Vendor Provided hardware token, Existing supported hardware token, Hardware security module (HSM), Cloud HSM |
| Delivery Time | 5 to 7 Days | 5 to 7 Days | 5 to 7 Days | 5 to 7 Days |
| Supported Key Type(s) | RSA, ECC | RSA, ECC | RSA, ECC | RSA, ECC |
| Supported Key Length(s) | 3072-bit or 4096-bit | 4096-bit | 3072-bit or 4096-bit | 4096-bit |
| Hash Algorithm | SHA – 2, Up to 256-bits | SHA – 2, Up to 256-bits | SHA – 2, Up to 256-bits | SHA – 2, Up to 256-bits |
| Software Signing | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Certificate Reissuance | Unlimited (exluding token) | Unlimited (exluding token) | Unlimited (exluding token) | Unlimited (exluding token) |
| Hardware Certification | FIPS-140-L2 | FIPS-140-L2 | FIPS-140-L2 | FIPS-140-L2 |
| Includes Publisher Identity | Verified Organization Name | Verified Organization Name | Verified Organization Name | Verified Organization Name |
| Time Stamp | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible |
| Instant Reputation w/ MS Smartscreen Filter | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Supported Platforms | Java, Microsoft Authenticode, MS Office Document, Adobe Air, MS VBA | Java, Microsoft Authenticode, MS Office Document, Windows Vista x64 kernel-mode, Adobe Air, MS VBA | Java, Microsoft Authenticode, MS Office Document, Adobe Air, MS VBA | Java, Microsoft Authenticode, MS Office Document, Windows Vista x64 kernel-mode, Adobe Air, MS VBA |
| Vendor Refund Policy | Till 30 – Days (If Not Issued or Disptached) | Till 30 – Days (If Not Issued or Disptached) | Till 30 – Days (If Not Issued or Disptached) | Till 30 – Days (If Not Issued or Disptached) |
| Technical Support | Free Live Chat and Ticket Support | Free Live Chat and Ticket Support | Free Live Chat and Ticket Support | Free Live Chat and Ticket Support |
| Installation Service | Purchase on Demand | Purchase on Demand | Purchase on Demand | Purchase on Demand |
SSL2BUY provide 30-day money-back offers and 24/7 expert support for authenticating codes and enhancing user protection.
Example:
Features of the Comodo Code Signing Certificate are:
- Provides Integrity of Publisher & Improves Customer
- Prevents Untrusted Warnings
- Improves Conversions Rates and Revenue
- Supports Varied Operating Systems like Windows, Java, etc.
- Verifies the identity of the publisher
- Ideal for commercial distribution
- Quick Issuance in 1-3 days
- Available in Organization Validation and Extended Validation
Wrapping Up
Certificate Authorities who issue the code signing certificates are extremely cautious while issuing the same. If this certificate lands in the wrong hands, it may cause a disaster by spreading malware in the software. Anyone who tries to download this malicious code may corrupt their system.
Hence, a strong vetting process is implemented before issuing this certificate. This process is expensive, and hence these certificates are never available free of cost.
They cost money, but you can get discounted offers on these certificates at SSL2BUY.
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