Is your business valuation software protected by a code signing certificate?
This is no idle question – with cyber attacks on the rise the safety and security of your business computer has never been more important.
If you are a professional advisor, the last thing you need is to experience a computer crash in the middle of a time-critical project or sustain a loss of sensitive client data.
As a business owner, you may be running a number of applications on your computer. If your system is compromised or taken over by online criminals, the loss to your business could be devastating.
So how do you make sure this does not happen to you?
Your business software safeguard – digital code signing
The good news is that the reputable business software vendors already take serious steps to protect you. One of the most important defenses in their arsenal is digital code signing of the software products.
How software code signing works
If you are installing a software application on a Windows computer, the Smart Screen technology is your first line of defense. Before installation is allowed to go on, the Authenticode on your computer performs two critical checks:
- It verifies the identity of the software publisher. For example, in the case of ValuAdder, your computer informs you that the publisher is Haleo Corporation (that’s us!).
- It verifies the product itself. Continuing with the above example, you are notified that ValuAdder is the software product you are about to install.
Only after the above checks have been successfully done are you advised to proceed with the software installation.
What happens behind the scenes during this critical step is really important:
First, Authenticode reads the encrypted signature included in your software product. Only the software publishers whose identity has been verified, domicile established, and corporate officers contacted can have the seal, known as the code signing certificate. This seal is required to produce the software signature for verification on your computer.
Since online crooks want to conceal their identity in order to avoid punishment, they will not have access to a code signing certificate such as one granted by DigiCert.
In addition, your computer checks that the software file is intact and has not been tampered with. You can then proceed with the product installation safely.
ValuAdder products – designed with your protection in mind
All ValuAdder business valuation software products are digitally signed by a DigiCert certificate. This authoritative third party endorsement is your assurance that your ValuAdder products will perform their functions while protecting your computer system.
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