EV Code Signing Certificate Review & Comparison
An Extended Validation or EV Code Signing Certificate – The Next Generation Software Code Security
An Extended Validation (EV) Code Signing certificate is designed for developers and publishers to secure their software and web application codes, contents, scripts and other digital objects from unwanted third party malware attacks. Having software signed by this next generation EV Code Signing security establishes trust and gives confidence to the clients. The SmartScreen® Application Reputation technology reduces warning messages in Windows® and Internet Explorer.
An Extended Validation (EV) Code Signing certificate requires a strict validation and authentication process which is on the same lines as an EV SSL certificate. The developers and software publishers have to prove their identity during the validation process. Additionally, an EV Code Signing features two-factor authentication. This ensures that the certificate goes in the right hands only.
What is Microsoft’s SmartScreen® Filter?
The programs signed by an EV Code Signing can establish reputation with the Microsoft’s SmartScreen® Filter. The SmartScreen® Filter uses information about the application and warns the users if the application isn’t well known or malicious. If the application is signed by EV Code Signing Certificate, there will be no such warnings.
SmartScreen clearly indicates if the publisher is unknown.
In IE8, SmartScreen produces a red warning bar for any new application, regardless of the publisher.
For applications protected with a traditional code signing certificate, IE9 issues a yellow bar indicating that the app is “signed and known”. Thus, helping users understand that the publisher is a trusted entity.
If an application is signed with an EV Code Signing Certificate and contains no malware, IE9 grants that application immediate permission and no warning is displayed.
If you can see like this “FILE is not Commonly Downloaded and Could Harm Your Computer” and you really want to know that what it means, then visit here – https://codesigningstore.com/what-does-this-smartscreen-message-means
Who offers an EV Code Signing Certificate?
Top most EV Code Signing certificate providers are:
- Comodo CA – Comodo EV Code Signing Certificate
- DigiCert CA – DigiCert EV Code Signing Certificate
Features & Benefits of Extended Validation (EV) Code Signing Certificate
- Highest Level of Extended Validation authentication
- Strict validation process
- Robust encryption
- Helps establish reputation with Microsoft’s SmartScreen® Filter
- Required for user-mode and kernel-mode drivers on Windows 10
- SHA-256 algorithm, compliant with Microsoft’s SHA-1 deprecation plan
- Hardware token and PIN to protect your keys
- Two-factor authentication
- Company address and organization type displayed in the certificate
- Compatible with major platforms (Authenticode, Office VBA, Java, Adobe AIR, Mac OS, Mozilla)
- Support for Hardware Security Modules (HSM)
- Free 24/7 technical support
Let’s Compare Cheap EV Code Signing Certificates from Comodo & Sectigo
| Main Features | DigiCert EV Code Signing Certificate | Comodo EV Code Signing Certificate | Sectigo EV Code Signing Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate Authority |
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| EV Code Signing | EV Code Signing | EV Code Signing | |
| Extended Validation | Extended Validation | Extended Validation | |
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| $472.20/yr | $249.94/yr | $249.94/yr | |
| AboutSSL10 | AboutSSL10 | AboutSSL10 | |
| Your Company Name | Your Company Name | Your Company Name | |
| 256-Bit SHA-2 | 256-Bit SHA-2 | 256-Bit SHA-2 | |
| 1-5 Days | 1-5 Days | 0-3 Days | |
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| 30-Days | 30-Days | 30-Days | |
DigiCert
Comodo
Sectigo