How to Check Code Signing Installation: A Quick Guide

Quick Guide to Check Code Signing Installation in Google Chrome

Why have code signing certificates?

Code signing certificates are digital signatures that are of utmost importance to technology-driven businesses of the 21st century. You might argue, Why do I need it? I hold a good reputation in my space.

The answer to your question is simple. When you are in a business that sells software products or digital services, there are high chances of someone hurting you in the cyber world. Code signing is a full proof way of ensuring your clientele that your business transactions and services are secure. The certificates are issued after detailed verification that ascertains that code has not been tampered with nor used for any malicious activities.

If your software product recommends using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, then go for the Microsoft Authenticode score. The score helps in strengthening authentication. Please note that this is only available for Extended Validation types of code signing certificates.

How to Figure Out Code-Signed Software Products and Programs

When installing using any executables, the code signed dialog box displays before you proceed with the installation. If the software product is not code-signed, then the dialog box displays the Unknown Publisher warning message. Often, the programs that are not signed are blocked by the anti-virus program installed on your computer.

The following procedures explain how to locate code signing certificates using there of the most popular web browsers: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Edge.

Where to Locate the Code Signing Certificates Using Google Chrome

Perform the following steps to view the code signing certificates installed:

1. Open your Google Chrome browser. The Google Chrome browser displays.
2. Go to the top right corner and click the Vertical Ellipsis button. The Google Chrome menu dialog box displays.
3. Click Settings. (Note: You can also type chrome://setting in the address bar to view the Settings page.) The Settings page of your Google Chrome displays.
4. From the options menu on the left panel, click Privacy and Security.
5. Click Security. The Google Chrome Security page displays.
6. Scroll down to the Advanced section of the Security page.
7. Click Manage certificates. The Certificates dialog box displays with all HTTPS and SSL certificates installed.

You can filter the certificates based on your requirements. To do so, expand the Intended purpose drop-down list. The filter options are:

• Client Authentication
• Secure Email
• Advanced Purposes
• All

The certificates are classified under the following categories:

• Personal
• Other People
• Intermediate Certificate Authorities
• Trusted Root Certification Authorities
• Trusted Publishers
• Untrusted Publishers

8. Double-click the certificate you want to check. The Certificate dialog box displays with three tabs: General, Detail, and Certification Path. The General tab displays Issue to, Issued by, and Valid from and Valid to dates. The tab also displays the following statement: You have a private key that corresponds to this certificate.

Where to Locate the Code Signing Certificates Using Internet Explorer

Perform the following steps to view the code signing certificates installed:

1. Open your Internet Explorer. The Internet Explorer web browser displays.
2. From the Internet Explorer menu, click Tools. The Tools menu expands.
3. Click Internet Options. The Internet Options dialog box opens.
4. Click the Content tab. From the Certificates section of the tab, click Certificates or Publishers to view the code signing certificates.
5. Filter the certificates based on your requirements. To do so expand the Intended purpose drop-down list. The filter options are:

• Client Authentication
• Secure Email
• Advanced Purposes
• All

The certificates are classified under the following categories:

• Personal
• Other People
• Intermediate Certificate Authorities
• Trusted Root Certification Authorities
• Trusted Publishers
• Untrusted Publishers

8. Double-click the certificate you want to check.

The Certificate dialog box displays with three tabs, General, Detail, and Certification Path.

The General tab displays Issue to, Issued by, and Valid from and Valid to dates. The tab also displays the following statement: You have a private key that corresponds to this certificate.

9. Double-click the certificate you want to check. The Certificate dialog box displays the three tabs, General, Detail, and Certification Path. The General tab displays Issue to, Issued by, and Valid from and Valid to dates. The tab also displays the following statement: You have a private key that corresponds to this certificate.

Where to Locate Code Signing Certificates Using Microsoft Edge

Perform the following steps to view the code signing certificates installed:

1. Open your Microsoft Edge. he web browser displays.
2. Go to the top right corner and click the Ellipsis. The Microsoft Edge menu dialog box displays.
3. Click Settings. (Note: You can also type edge://settings/profiles in the address bar to view the Settings page.) The Settings page displays.
4. From the Settings menu on the left panel, click Privacy, search, and services.
5. Scroll down to the Security section of the page.
6. Click Manage certificates. The Certificates dialog box displays with all HTTPS and SSL certificates installed.

You can filter the certificates based on your requirement, to do so expand the Intended purpose drop-down list. The filter options are:

• Client Authentication
• Secure Email
• Advanced Purposes
• All

The certificates are classified under the following categories:

• Personal
• Other People
• Intermediate Certificate Authorities
• Trusted Root Certification Authorities
• Trusted Publishers
• Untrusted Publishers

7. Double-click the certificate you want to check. The Certificate dialog box displays the three tabs, General, Detail, and Certification Path. The General tab displays Issue to, Issued by, and Valid from and Valid to dates. The tab also displays the following statement: You have a private key that corresponds to this certificate.