Last Updated on May 19, 2023 by hassan abbas
Code signing certification has now become more necessary than ever before. Why? Well! As Google app store is brimming with more than 2.87 million apps, and there is a significant rise in mobile app usage in the present arena.
While mobile app development services are lucrative deals for businesses in 2022, several nascent & fledgling technologies are boosting hype around futuristic customer experience. Thus, codes are being frequently theft and forged to produce remarkable mobile apps & solutions.
Moreover, malicious acts-related techniques are advancing with emerging technologies. In such circumstances, ensuring your application code security is critical for every android developer to keep their work authentic & reliable. How would you do that? Let’s get answers.
Protecting Your Mobile App Code with Code Sign Certificate
A code signing certificate is known for unique identification assured by the certificate authority. Using it, developers can remark their information in the code in the form of a digital signature.
A Code Signing Certificate (CSC) is a kind of certificate issued by authorized entities to verify that the code or script of software has not been altered or tampered with. A CSC represents legitimacy, trustworthiness, and authenticity in terms of distributing or sharing codes over the internet.
Moreover, there are two types of signed certificates that you can leverage: Standard Code Signing Certificate & Extended Validation
Standard Code Signing Certificates are used by software developers to digitally sign applications, drivers, executables, and software programs for end-users; which certifies that the signed code is legitimate, comes from a trusted source, and hasn’t been tampered with since publication.
Our certificates confirm you’re a known organization – we’ll also include timestamps if you want. Altogether, they detail your organization’s name and address where applicable.
Extended Validation (EV) Code Signing Certificates go one step further than standard codesigning certifications. It provides additional assurances through an added rigorous vetting process combined with a built-in hardware protection requirement. And making it easier for potential users to trust in the integrity of your applications.
This certificate is recognized instantly by Microsoft’s SmartScreen filter. It removes warning messages over application legitimacy which previous installs would produce before this addition was made!
How Code Signing Certificates Works for Mobile Apps?
Code Signing certificates, like all other digital certificates, rely on asymmetric by digitally signing mobile applications and codes for protection against would-be attackers.
When requesting the Code Signing certificate from a certificate authority, the CA cannot approve it straight away. But instead, it has to carry out due diligence procedures to ascertain authenticity.
After verifying the developer’s authenticity, it issues the Code Signing certificate and provides this to them. In turn, they sign their code with their private key before distributing it through Google Play or another store where users can download it.
Users who download the app need only match up one element. In this case, check whether the certificate belongs to its supposed owner. It ensures that both parts are authentic before downloading them. If there is tampering in the code. However, the developers have no option but to start again at signature point zero.
Why use Code Signing Certificates?
There are many compelling reasons to start using code signing certificates during mobile application development processes. Below are some of the important once:
Authentication
After you sign the code or script of your software with a certificate, it is labeled with authentication showing your name and website next to an indicator stating that the application cannot be tampered with.
This lets users know who made the app they’re installing – assuring them that it came from someone they trust. And who will update it in case there are ever any issues (as opposed to random people impersonating developers).
Elimination of Pop-up Warnings
If the software does not come with a code signing certificate, the application will typically alert users to this with an annoying pop-up warning or message. This can cause a hassle with the user experience and prevent them from using the software.
Attacks
MITM attacks are super common these days over the internet. Moreover, third parties can intrude to tamper with the code or view its contents, when you share software or applications online.
However, your file has been digitally signed with a certificate – which verifies that it comes from you. Intruders will not be able to access or tamper with it and ensure your files stay safe and offline.
Building Trust
Producing and distributing software with a digital signature helps increase the users’ trust among other members of their demographic and with the issuing party, which helps build up credibility for the company.
Boost App Downloads and Revenue
The certificates give people peace of mind that the apps are coming from legitimate sources. People will want to download apps with a signer certificate over apps without one. As a result, the apps will have increased download numbers, in-app distribution rates, and profit margins.
How to use a Code Signing Certificate?
Once you’ve purchased one from a trusted Certificate Authority, follow these five steps:
Step 1 – Follow the included link and install your new or reissued certificate.
Step 2- Your web browser will automatically redirect to open up a certification request form on the Certificate Provider’s website.
Step 3- Enter all necessary fields and pay for your purchase.
Step 4- Use Generate Certificate to export this signature onto an external device.
Step 5 – Follow additional instructions sent by the vendor.
How To Check Your Coder Certificate?
Following are the steps you can follow to check your code signing certificate in Microsoft Windows:
- Select your file and right click
- Check into the properties
- Use the Digital Signature tab to find the details of the certificate.
What happens when a code signing certificate expires?
A code signing certificate remains valid for up to 4 years and you can renew at any time during that period. If the certificate has already expired, all you need to do is follow the aforementioned process of renewal and it will work just fine.
Which Code Signing Certificate You Must Opt for Your App Security?
The internet has several options that are reliable and well-known in the market. However, it is critical for you to take a glance at several factors without picking any of them.
Most importantly, you need to look for the presence of a time-stamping feature, as it is critical to ensure signature particularity. Besides, ubiquity consideration, numbers/unlimited signing using one certificate, and many other aspects are critical.
Overall, you must look for features you are striving to ensure full-service coverage and security. Following are the major code signing certificates you can leverage for your Android mobile app security.
- DigiCert Code Signing
- Sectigo Code Signing
- Comodo Code Signing
- Comodo EV Code Signing
- Thawte Code Signing
- Symantec Code Signing
Wrapping Up
The rise of smartphones has opened up new markets for Android developers to make money from. But not everyone is benefiting from this opportunity while securing mobile app development services for enterprise solutions.
Cyber attackers have been targeting unsuspecting apps by exploiting security vulnerabilities. Or! Violating distribution agreements in order to steal personal information and commit fraud. A Code Signing Certificate allows an Android developer to code-sign an application package file (.apk).
So, it can be installed onto a user’s device without downloading via third-party sources. And this greatly increases the trustworthiness of an app because it’s clear it hasn’t been tampered with during installation.
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