EV Code Signing Certificates
As low as $249.00 /year
Extended Validation (EV) Code Signing for Secure and Authenticate Your Software
EV Code Signing Certificate ensures your software is trusted, secure, and free from tampering. It’s the ideal choice for developers who want to eliminate installation warnings and provide users with peace of mind. An EV Code Signing Certificate is a digital certificate that provides enhanced validation of the publisher’s identity, ensuring software integrity and authenticity.
Unlike standard code signing certificates, EV Code Signing Certificates undergo a rigorous authentication process, ensuring only verified and legitimate organizations can use them. At Compare Cheap SSL, we specialize in offering cost-effective, high-quality EV Code Signing Certificates. Our platform allows you to compare certificates from top providers, helping you find the best fit for your needs.
Don’t let security warnings or malicious threats impact your software’s credibility. Invest in an EV Code Signing Certificate to ensure smooth installations, prevent tampering, and build user trust
Why Buy EV Code Signing Certificate?
Don’t let your software be flagged as unsafe. Choose an EV Code Signing Certificate to protect your code, eliminate warnings, and build user trust. With an EV Code Signing Certificate, your organization’s verified name is prominently displayed during installation, eliminating warnings like “Unknown Publisher” and building immediate trust among users.
Highest organizational authentication assurance
Company name, address and organization type displayed in the certificate
Signature and time stamping does not expire once certificate expires
Certificate stored on FIPS hardware token prevents key duplication
Immediate Extended Validation reputation with Microsoft SmartScreen®
2-factor authentication through hardware token and PIN combination
Why Choose EV Code Signing?
Highest Level of Trust
EV Code Signing Certificate is the most trusted Code signing certificate available. This improves your ability to get verified in enhanced verification as it requires your identity to be validated by a Certificate Authority (CA) in a very rigorous vetting process. This direct path to your code establishes your legitimacy, your code as authentic and safe to end users.
Eliminate Security Warnings
A Code Signing Certificate with EV will prevent users from being greeted with “Unknown Publisher” warnings when your software is signed. It streamlines the user experience by promising smooth software installation without interruptions and doubt caused by security alerts.
It provides protection against malware more effectively.
An EV certificate ensures that the highest levels of encryption are used to sign your software so you know it won’t be tampered with and it’s not been tampered with. It provides users peace of mind, i.e., that your code has not been tampered with by malicious actors.
Timestamping for Longevity
This time your digital signature is timestamped with an EV Code Signing Certificate, so even if your certificate expires, your signature will be valid. What this gives you is the ability to keep the trust and authenticity of your software for significantly longer after it’s been signed.
Windows Driver Signing
The signing of drivers for Microsoft Windows requires using EV Code Signing. When you can pin your drivers to windows, this is hugely important to you as a developer who has software that interfaces with hardware, so you know that your drivers are trusted by windows systems
Benefits of EV Code Signing Certificates
1. Enhanced Security and Protection
An EV Code Signing Certificate offers robust encryption to ensure the integrity of your software. It protects your code from tampering, ensuring that end users receive a safe and unaltered product.
2. Boosted User Trust
When your software is signed with an EV Code Signing Certificate, users see your verified organization name during installation. This visible proof of authenticity eliminates “Unknown Publisher” warnings, fostering trust.
3. Microsoft SmartScreen Reputation Boost
EV Code Signing Certificates meet Microsoft SmartScreen’s stringent security requirements, significantly reducing warning messages and allowing your software to pass SmartScreen filters with ease.
4. Tamper-Proof Assurance
By signing your code, the certificate ensures that any attempt to alter the software after signing will trigger warnings. This provides users with confidence that your software is legitimate and secure.
5. Long-Term Validation with Timestamping
Timestamping ensures that your digital signature remains valid even after the certificate expires. This is especially useful for software with a long lifecycle, maintaining trust and security over time.
6. Universal Platform Compatibility
EV Code Signing Certificates are recognized and trusted by all major operating systems and browsers, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This ensures seamless software installation across platforms.
7. Competitive Advantage
Displaying a verified publisher name during installation sets your software apart from competitors. It shows your commitment to security, giving users another reason to choose your product.
8. Reduced Malware Concerns
By verifying the identity of the software publisher, EV Code Signing Certificates help users feel secure knowing they are downloading software from a legitimate source, reducing the likelihood of malware concerns.
9. Improved Brand Reputation
Building trust in your software strengthens your brand’s reputation. Users are more likely to recommend and adopt software from trusted publishers.
10. Compliance with Industry Standards
In industries with stringent regulations, an EV Code Signing Certificate ensures compliance with security standards, demonstrating your dedication to best practices in software development.
How EV SSL Works: Ensuring Maximum Trust and Security
An Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificate is the gold standard for online security, offering the highest level of authentication and encryption for websites. Here’s a detailed explanation of how EV SSL works and why it’s trusted worldwide.
1. Verification of Identity
Before an EV SSL Certificate is issued, the Certificate Authority (CA) conducts a rigorous verification process. This includes:
- Legal Verification: Confirming the organization’s legal existence through official government records.
- Operational Verification: Ensuring the organization is operational and legitimate.
- Domain Ownership Validation: Verifying that the organization owns the domain requesting the certificate.
This multi-step process ensures only trustworthy entities can obtain an EV SSL Certificate.
2. Secure Key Generation
Once the application is approved, the CA issues the EV SSL Certificate with a pair of cryptographic keys:
- Private Key: Held securely by the website owner, used to decrypt sensitive data.
- Public Key: Shared with the browser to enable encrypted communication.
3. Data Encryption and Decryption
When a user visits a website with an EV SSL Certificate:
- The browser initiates a secure connection using the public key.
- All data exchanged between the user’s browser and the website is encrypted using advanced algorithms (e.g., AES-256).
- This encryption ensures that sensitive data like passwords, credit card numbers, and personal information cannot be intercepted or tampered with by attackers.
4. Visual Trust Indicators
One of the unique features of EV SSL is the prominent visual cues it provides to users, such as:
- Green Address Bar (in some browsers).
- Organization Name in the Address Bar: Displays the verified organization’s name next to the URL.
- Padlock Icon: A universally recognized symbol of secure websites.
These trust indicators instill confidence in users, reducing bounce rates and increasing conversion rates.
5. Building User Trust with Validation Details
Users can click on the padlock icon in the address bar to view detailed certificate information, including:
- The verified organization’s name.
- The issuing Certificate Authority (e.g., DigiCert, Sectigo).
- Certificate validity period.
This transparency reassures users about the authenticity of the website.
6. Preventing Phishing and Cyber Threats
EV SSL Certificates protect against phishing by ensuring that malicious actors cannot impersonate a legitimate organization. Users can quickly distinguish between genuine websites with EV SSL and fraudulent ones without it.
Secure Your Software with EV Code Signing Today
Having an EV Code Signing Certificate gives not just your software secure protection, but also lets other people know that you’re also a trusted developer. Prevent your code from being tampered, get rid of security warnings and provide your users a smooth installation experience. With SSL.com’s EV Code Signing Certificates, you get the best in security and authenticity no matter whether you’re creating applications, executables, or drivers.
Buy your EV Code Signing Certificates today and start getting software your users can trust!
Frequently Asked Questions about EV Code Signing
What is EV Code Signing?
Extended Validation (EV) code signing is a specific type of code signing certificate that provides the highest level of security and trust available for software developers. It uses a rigorous validation process to verify the identity and legitimacy of the certificate applicant, ensuring that only authorized individuals or organizations can issue signed code.
How EV Code Signing Works?
When a developer signs their code with an EV certificate, a digital signature is added to the code. This signature acts as a seal of authenticity, verifying that the code has not been tampered with and originates from a trusted source. When users download and install software with an EV signature, they see a prominent EV badge, giving them confidence that the software is safe and legitimate.
What is the difference between EV Code Signing and Code Signing?
The main difference between EV code signing and standard code signing is the level of validation involved. Standard code signing certificates typically require minimal verification of the applicant’s identity, while EV certificates require a rigorous vetting process that includes validating the applicant’s legal and operational existence, conducting financial checks, and verifying their physical address.
How much does a code signing cert cost?
The cost of a code signing certificate varies depending on the type of certificate and the issuing authority. EV certificates are typically more expensive than standard code signing certificates due to the additional validation process involved. Prices can range from tens to hundreds of dollars per year, with EV certificates often costing several hundred dollars or more.
What is EV Code Signing Validation Process?
The EV code signing validation process involves several steps:
- Identity Verification: The certificate authority (CA) verifies the identity of the applicant, including their legal name, address, and business information.
- Financial Review: The CA assesses the applicant’s financial stability to ensure they are a legitimate business.
- Operational Verification: The CA confirms that the applicant has the necessary resources and infrastructure to securely manage code signing certificates.
- Physical Address Validation: The CA verifies the applicant’s physical address to ensure it is a real location
What is Hardware Token Device or HSM?
A hardware token device (HSM) is a physical device that stores cryptographic keys and performs cryptographic operations, such as signing code. This provides an additional layer of security for EV certificates, as the keys are kept safe within the HSM and cannot be easily accessed by attackers.
What is EV code signing validation?
EV code signing validation refers to the process of verifying the authenticity and validity of an EV code signing certificate. This involves checking the digital signature on the certificate and confirming that it was issued by a trusted CA. Users can typically validate EV certificates by clicking on the EV badge displayed alongside the software.
Is EV code signing worth it?
Whether EV code signing is worth it depends on your specific needs and budget. If you are a large company or organization that requires the highest level of security and trust for your software, then an EV certificate is likely worth the investment. However, if you are a small developer or hobbyist, a standard code signing certificate may be sufficient.
