CODE signing certificates

Code Signing certificates are used for digitally signing applications, scripts, drivers, and other files distributed over the internet. Without a digital signature, Microsoft security mechanisms such as Defender SmartScreen and Smart App Control will uncompromisingly block downloaded software and practically prevent users from running it. Code Signing certificates are therefore absolutely essential for software companies and developers. A Code certificate is issued by a certification authority only after verification of the company’s existence or the developer’s identity. Thanks to organizational validation (OV), the certificate clearly proves the publisher’s identity and guarantees code integrity – both the user and the operating system can be sure that the software is authentic and has not been modified in any way during distribution.
We offer our customers Code Signing certificates from globally trusted certification authorities Digicert, Sectigo, and Certum. Among the most popular and cost-effective options are Cloud Code certificates from the Certum certification authority.

EV CODE certificates

EV Code Signing certificates provide the highest level of publisher identity verification. The entire issuance process is subject to strict, multi-step company validation performed by the certification authority. Following the Windows system updates released in spring 2026, Microsoft changed its policies and now treats EV Code certificates similarly to standard Organization Validation (OV) certificates. This means that reputation must also be built for EV Code Signing certificates, otherwise the Windows SmartScreen filter will still appear.
EV Code Signing certificates are required for signing kernel-mode drivers and system components for Microsoft Windows. They are primarily intended for hardware developers, system software developers, and organizations that require the highest level of company validation.

CODE SIGNING INFO: Based on the decision of the CA/B Forum, from March 1, 2026, the validity of new CODE certificates will be shortened to 460 days (approximately 15 months).

Price from - The calculated annual price of the certificate when ordering more than one year. For more information, click on the certificate detail or order.
Issuance Speed - How long the certification authority will issue the SSL certificate (approximately).
SmartScreen - A signed application may bypass the Microsoft SmartScreen reputation filter in the installation dialog. For more information see What is SmartScreen?
Payment - We accept payments by card, PayPal and bank transfer.

FAQ of CODE Signing Certificates

We have compiled the basic information you are most interested in.

What is a Code Signing Certificate?

When customers used to buy boxed software, they had the practical certainty that the software on the included media was genuine. They had all the information at their disposal, including a manual and contacts to the developer. With the rise of the Internet and downloading software, this has not been the case for a long time and it is necessary to secure the software so that the customer has a certainty that the program he downloaded was released by the expected developer/company and was not intentionally altered. All this is ensured by Code Signing certificates for code signing, which are used to protect software distributed via the Internet. Also called Code signing certificate or Digital signature certificate.

Example of the difference in the installation of an unsigned and signed program using a Code Signing certificate.

By signing the code, the user is assured that the software actually came from the publisher who signed it, has not been altered or damaged since it was signed. By signing their code, developers build a trusting relationship with users.

Who needs a Code certificate?

Any software publisher that plans to distribute code or content over the Internet. Codes distributed within the company over the intranet should also be signed due to operating system policies such as Windows and MacOS. All modern systems prefer signed code to protect users and prevent the spread of malicious software.

Signing the code does not change the software. It only appends a digital signature to the application's executable file, which provides enough information to verify the identity of the signer as well as ensure that the code has not been changed later.
Digital ID signing allows content publishers, including software developers, to sign content that includes software objects, macros, device drivers, firmware images, updates, configuration files, or other types of content for secure delivery over the Internet.

What is Windows SmartScreen?

SmartScreen Reputation is a Microsoft technology that provides anonymous community-based data to help ensure user safety when downloading files from the internet. It acts as a kind of security guard within the Windows ecosystem. In principle, the more users download and install your software, the more its reputation increases. Unfortunately, achieving sufficient reputation usually requires hundreds or even thousands of installations. However, only Microsoft knows the exact mechanics and evaluation criteria behind the reputation system, and SmartScreen can be quite challenging for developers.

The established reputation applies not only to the software itself, but also to the Code Signing certificate. Once a reputation is built and program installations automatically bypass SmartScreen, new versions of the application can be signed with the same Code certificate and everything will work smoothly. However, when using a new or renewed Code Signing certificate, the reputation must be rebuilt again.

More information about Microsoft SmartScreen can be found on the following pages:

• SmartScreen reputation for Windows app developers
• Wiki : SmartScreen