Code Signing Certificates For Mac



A Code Signing Certificate is a digital signature technology, which allows authorized software publishers to sign their executable scripts, code and content to authenticate their identification over the Internet. It assures software publishers and consumers about the safety of software code and content. It contains a digital signature for 32-bit and 64-bit.

A macOS application distributed outside the Mac App Store will generally have 3–4 separate layers of signing: The application itself will be code signed using an application certificate. If the application has an installer, the package file will be signed using an installer certificate. Thawte Code Signing Certificate for Apple is used to sign applications, plug-ins, and content for Mac OS X desktops. Apple Code signing certificate uniquely creates a digital signature with code publisher information, ensure about its integrity, and thus used to sign Mac content. When any self-sign or unsigned software is found, it shows a. Apple code signing is done from the command line using their (aptly named) codesign tool and should be very straightforward. Note: You can use a DigiCert Code Signing Certificate (standard and EV) to sign your Mac OS software, tools, updates, utilities and applications. However, if you want your. Free SSL Certificates from Comodo (now Sectigo), a leading certificate authority trusted for its PKI Certificate solutions including 256 bit SSL Certificates, EV SSL Certificates, Wildcard SSL Certificates, Unified Communications Certificates, Code Signing Certificates and Secure E-Mail Certificates.We offer the best prices and coupons while increasing consumer trust in transacting business. Code signing technology was introduced by Apple for Mac OS 9 onwards. GlobalSign Code Signing Certificates can be used with the following systems: Parental controls (MCX), Keychain Access Controls, Developer Tools Access (DTA), App Sandbox, and Application Firewall.

Signing

Code Signing Certificate Mac Os X Server

A software signed with a Code Signing Certificate technology indicates the user that the software is a genuine software which has been verified by certificate authority and the software code has not been tempered or altered.

Code Signing Certificate Format

Key Reasons for Deploying Code Signing Certificate for Software Publisher’s

The reason to have Code Signing CertificatesCode signing certificates for mac os is to protect software script and code from potential alteration from 3rd party entities. Today, it is a necessary business practice for publishers to have secured software installed on their machines, and a Code Signing Certificate helps them gain the trust and confidence of the consumer. There are several reasons that a Code Signing Certificate is critical to have in the software before publicizing it.

See Also: Compare Code Signing Certificates

How to verify the Software is signed with Code Signing Certificate?

Once the Author signs his/her software with a code signing certificate, the digital signing technology creates a protected layer for the software code so that it cannot be tempered by hackers. When the user tries to download it, the web browser quickly verifies the software and allows the user to download it without any interruption or alert message.

When the user tries to download that signed software into his/her system. As shown in the image below, the OS shows a pop-up message which includes the software name, publisher website, and software type.

Code signing certificates for mac os
When the user tries to install an SSL encrypted software, the OS displays an alert as displayed in below.
Here if the user clicks the link of the name, it will redirect him/her to developer’s website. Whereas on clicking the publisher’s name, a new dialogue box will appear as “Certificate Signature Details”. This box carries information of the certificate.
A Code Signing certificate or an EV Code Signing certificate supports desktop-based platforms such as Java Applets, Apple OS X Software & Apps, Linux Software & Apps, Adobe Documents, Microsoft software & apps (.exe, .dat, .cab, .xpi, .dll, .ocx, etc.), Microsoft Office documents & Kernel Mode software. Similarly, a code signing certificate can support mobile-based platforms such as Java, Android apps, Windows Mobile apps, iOS apps, Blackberry, and Nokia apps.
  • Builds trust & confidence with the integrity of content
  • Determines the identity of original software publisher
  • Boosts number of Downloads
  • Creates trustworthy image of the distributor
  • Enhances software publisher’s reputation
  • Compatible with all Windows OS

Code Signing Certificate – List of Compatible Web Platforms

Microsoft® Authenticode® (Multi-Purpose)

  • Digitally sign code for Microsoft® Office 2000, Microsoft VBA, Netscape Object Signing, and Marimba Channel Signing
  • Digitally sign 32- and 64-bit user-mode (.exe, .cab, .dll, .ocx, .msi, .xpi and .xap files)

Microsoft® Office VBA

Code Signing Certificates For Mac Download

  • Digitally sign VBA objects, scripts and macros for Microsoft Office .doc, .xls, and .ppt files
  • For Microsoft Office and third-party applications using VBA

Java®

  • Digitally sign .jar files and Java applications for desktop and mobile devices
  • Recognized by Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

Mac®

Code Signing Certificates For Mac Free

  • Digitally sign Apple desktop applications

Adobe® AIR®

  • Digitally sign .air or .airi files
  • Required for all AIR-based applications
Main FeaturesComodo Code Signing CertificateSectigo Code Signing CertificateDigiCert Code Signing Certificate
Certificate Authority

Comodo

Sectigo

DigiCert

OV Code SigningOV Code SigningOV Code Signing
Business ValidationBusiness ValidationBusiness Validation
$62.10/yr$74/yr$337.20/yr
AboutSSL10AboutSSL10AboutSSL10
Your Company NameYour Company NameYour Company Name
256-Bit SHA-2256-Bit SHA-2256-Bit SHA-2
1-3 Days1-3 Days1-3 Days
30-Days30-Days30-Days

What is a Code Signing Certificate? – Video Tutorial