SSL

The platforms that can be signed for are as follows: Windows 8 Any Microsoft format (32 and 64 bit), EXE, OCX, MSI, CAB, DLL, and kernel software Adobe AIR applications JAVA applets Mozilla Object files MS Office Macro or VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) files Apple Mac software for MacOS 9 and OSX Microsoft Silverlight applications or XAF files

Platforms are used by developers to sign their applications using specific tools. Since each platform is different, please reference official instructions for your particular platform. The most common platforms are Microsoft, JAVA, Adobe, etc…

First, it is important to note that a Code Signing Certificate can only be generated and exported from Firefox. The steps for exporting your code signing certificate and private key in Firefox are as follows: Click the “Open” menu Select “Options” Click on “Advanced” or “Encryption” Under the certificate tab, select “View Certificates” Under Your Certificates, click your certificate name Once highlighted, select “back up all” and enter in your passphrase

The issue lies with either one, two or a combination of both things. First, make sure you are using Firefox as your default browser. If this browser is not used properly, you will receive an error message. Second, please make sure you are using the same PC which generated the order. If you are using a different PC, the certificate will not be able to download because the corresponding private key is missing.

After completing the validation process, the CA will release the certificate from their system and send a ‘collection’ or ‘pick-up’ link to the verified email address. Using the same PC which generated the order and Firefox as the browser, follow the link and download the certificate. Firefox will automatically pull the previous stored private key and install the code signing certificate. After downloading is completed, we recommend exporting the code signing certificate and private key from the browser into a PFX (.p12) file.

In order to utilize the in-browser controls provided by the CA, all applicants who are attempting to generate a code signing certificate must use Firefox as their default browser. If this browser is not properly used, the applicant will receive an Error Message. Due to the amazing in-browser controls provided by the CA, applicants who use Firefox as their browser will be able to automatically generate the CSR and store the private key within Firefox’s file system. This unique private key will automatically be pulled by the corresponding certificate during the installation/download process.

A code signing certificate is technically not an SSL certificate. It is a certificate-based digital signature algorithm that verifies a piece of code has not been altered or corrupted since it was signed by the author. You can think of it as “digital shrink-wrap” that verifies code is authentic, increasing customer trust and willingness to download and install it. All major operating systems like Windows, Apple OS X, and Linux support code signing and use it themselves to ensure malicious code can’t be distributed through the patch system.