{"id":705,"date":"2019-09-05T18:07:59","date_gmt":"2019-09-05T18:07:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cheapsslsecurity.com\/p\/?p=705"},"modified":"2020-11-26T08:33:41","modified_gmt":"2020-11-26T08:33:41","slug":"how-do-i-create-a-self-signed-code-signing-certificate-through-openssl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cheapsslsecurity.com\/p\/how-do-i-create-a-self-signed-code-signing-certificate-through-openssl\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Create a Self-Signed Code Signing Certificate Through OpenSSL?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a developer, you know the importance of signing your software or app. After all, the two main purposes for creating and using a certificate authority (CA)-backed code signing certificate<\/a> are to:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. validate your organization\u2019s identity, and<\/li>\n
  2. protect the integrity of your software.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    <\/p>\n

    However, to try to cut corners on costs or use use it strictly for development and testing, you may get a wild hair and decide to create a code signing certificate that you sign yourself. Here\u2019s why that can be a really, really bad idea.<\/p>\n

    Danger! Danger, Will Robinson: Why You Shouldn\u2019t Create a Code Signing Certificate<\/h2>\n

    When you try to self-sign a code signing certificate rather than using one signed by a certificate authority<\/a>, you\u2019re creating a litany of problems. After all, you\u2019re trying to bypass having a trusted third party<\/a> \u2014 a CA \u2014 vet you and issue a certificate that you can use to sign off on your code. So, why should the browsers or something like Microsoft SmartScreen trust you if you\u2019re not giving them a reason to?<\/p>\n

    Simply put \u2014 they shouldn\u2019t. Vouching for yourself is awfully shady because it looks like you can\u2019t get validation from a third-party entity such as CA. You know, the entities that are trusted by virtually all of the major browsers. Creating a self-signed code signing certificate to \u201cvalidate\u201d your work is like trying to issue yourself a voting card, a driver\u2019s license, or using yourself as a reference when applying for a job: It just doesn\u2019t work, and no one\u2019s going to trust it.<\/p>\n

    \"Graphic:<\/p>\n

    Still, regardless of our warnings, if you decide to try to self-sign a code signing certificate anyhow in OpenSSL, here\u2019s the process:<\/p>\n

    How to Create a Self-Signed Code Signing Certificate in OpenSSL<\/h2>\n

    Note: This process should only<\/strong> be done for the purpose of development\/testing. It should never<\/strong> be used on a live, external-facing page as it will generate an error in the client browser warning them that the CA isn\u2019t known or trusted. <\/em><\/p>\n

    Now that the warnings are out of the way, here\u2019s how to create a code signing certificate in OpenSSL.<\/p>\n

    \n

    EV Code Signing Certificate Vs. Regular Code Signing \u2014 Difference Explained<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    Generate a Code Signing Certificate via the New-SelfSignedCertificate-cmdlet<\/h2>\n

    The first thing you\u2019ll need to do is generate a code signing certificate in OpenSSL using Linux, PowerShell, Windows Command, etc. For this example, we\u2019re going to use PowerShell\u2019s New-SelfSignedCertificate-cmdlet.<\/p>\n

    When you have administrator rights, enter the following command:
    \n$cert = New-SelfSignedCertificate -DNSName \"Example Self-Signed Code Signing for Domain.com\" -CertStoreLocation Cert:\\CurrentUser\\My -Type CodeSigningCert -Subject \u201cExample Code Signing\u201d<\/code><\/p>\n

    This will add your certificate to your certificate store.<\/p>\n

    But why go to all of this trouble and risk forgetting to add a CA-signed certificate when you know you\u2019re going to need to get one anyhow when your product becomes external-facing?<\/p>\n

    Save yourself the headache and get a CA-signed code signing certificate.<\/p>\n

    CA-Signed Code Signing Certificates Aren\u2019t as Cost-Prohibitive as You May Think<\/h2>\n

    Code Signing certificates from reputable and trusted CAs aren\u2019t as expensive as you may think. They\u2019re actually quite reasonable when you purchase them from a place like CheapSSLSecurity.com. This is because we buy so many code signing certificates at once and have a sterling reputation with the CAs that they give us the certificates at cost when you\u2019d have to pay the MSRP if you approached them directly.<\/p>\n

    Check out our code signing options from several major brands like Comodo CA, Sectigo, Thawte and Symantec.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Purchase a Code Signing Certificate from CheapSSLSecurity & Save Up to 59%!<\/h2>\n

    We offer the best discount on code signing certificates starting as low as $69.17 per year.<\/p>\n

    Shop All Code Signing Certificate<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    What Is A Certificate Authority (CA)?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    As a developer, you know the importance of signing your software or app. After all, the two main purposes for creating and using a certificate authority (CA)-backed code signing certificate are to: validate your organization\u2019s identity, and protect the integrity … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[63],"class_list":["post-705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-code-signing","tag-self-signed-code-signing-certificate"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Do I Create a Self-Signed Code Signing Through OpenSSL?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Although it's not recommended for external-facing use cases, you can create a code signing certificate to sign off on your code for development\/testing.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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