With the growing
number of cyberattacks, almost all businesses today are concerned about the
security of their corporate and customer data.
However, one of the most effective ways to improve cybersecurity is to use digital certificates.
Most businesses
rely on digital certificates to keep their communication private and secure, to
address internet security issues, and to identify browsers and servers that can
provide reliable connectivity.
In web security,
the distinction between SSL certificates and code-signing certificates is
frequently misunderstood and is frequently used interchangeably.
In this article,
we will look at the key distinction between the two types of digital
certificates: SSL and Code-Signing Certificates.
Let’s begin!
What do you mean by Code Signing Certificates?
It is a type of
digital certificate that verifies software, code applications, and executables.
It is also known as software signing certificates.
The code signing
certificate, which is based on public key infrastructure, ensures that the code
has not been altered or modified during its journey from the publishing company
to the end-user.
It offers two
major benefits:
- It shows that a legitimate publisher who has been verified created the code.
- It prevents any third party from altering or tampering with the code behind software or an app.
Web browsers
display an "Unknown Publisher" warning notice when a user downloads software
from the internet, informing the user of the potential risks of doing so.
However, the warning message can be removed by using a code signing certificate.
What do you mean by SSL Certificate?
SSL certificates
(Secure Socket Layer) are industry standards that encrypt data sent between a
website and a browser to protect an internet connection. As a result, hackers
cannot steal any data, including personal or financial information.
The certificate
authority verifies your identity before signing and issuing an SSL certificate.
This is referred to as validation.
Furthermore,
three levels of validation are available, each of which is more extensive than
the others.
The higher the
level, the more information is available in the SSL certificate.
The three levels
of validation are as follows:
- Domain Validation verifies that you control the domain you're attempting to secure.
- In Organizational Validation, the certificate authority carries out checks to confirm the identity of the company requesting the SSL
- Extended Validation
is the most thorough validation process for registered businesses only.
When you try to
access a website and receive a browser warning that it is "not
secure," it's most likely due to the SSL certificate failing the
authentication procedure.
This could be
because the certificate has expired, been revoked, or the issuing certificate
authority is not trustworthy.
As previously
stated, SSL certificates and code-signing certificates have a distinct
meanings. Let us summarize everything so that we can understand the fundamental
distinction between the two.
What’s the Difference between a Code Signing
Certificate and an SSL Certificate?
- Developers and publishers use code signing certificates to sign software, ensuring its legitimacy, whereas SSL certificates are primarily used to protect websites.
- An SSL certificate encrypts ongoing data between a server and the user's browser, making it impossible for a third party to intercept the data, whereas the code signing certificate verifies executables, drivers, and software but does not encrypt the data.
- Another major distinction between the two is time-stamping, so when an SSL certificate expires, the browser displays a warning until it is renewed, whereas in a Code signing certificate, even if a developer includes time stamping to keep the digital signature active, the certificate will expire.
- A Code signing certificate ensures the code’s integrity, while an SSL certificate secures online transactions.
- When compared to a Code signing certificate, the cost of an SSL
certificate is much lower.
Conclusion:
Users are now
aware that visiting unprotected websites or installing unauthorized software
can lead to system penetrating. As a result, secure communication and
downloading from a reputable source are in high demand.
As a result, the
distinction between a Code signing certificate and an SSL certificate discussed
above emphasizes the need for both certificates.
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