Article ID: 155444 - Last Review: January 19, 2007 - Revision: 3.1

Description of Digital Code Signing in Internet Explorer

Retired KB ArticleRetired KB Content Disclaimer
View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q155444

On This Page

Expand all | Collapse all

SUMMARY

Digital Code Signing is a standard used to help ensure that content and files you download from the Internet have come from trusted sources and have not been altered since their creation. This also provides additional protection against computer viruses.
Back to the top

MORE INFORMATION

Digital Code Signing can be used for downloadable files and ActiveX Web page content.

When a file or an ActiveX page is downloaded, a check is performed to determine if the file or content was signed by the publisher and whether or not the certificate used to sign the code is valid. You are prompted to continue downloading the file based on the information that is displayed.
Back to the top

Internet Explorer 4.0/5

Internet Explorer 4.0/5 has four security settings: 
   High     Warns you if the file or contents fail to pass the security
            check, and does not accept the contents or file. You are not
            given the option to accept the incoming content.

   Medium   Provides warnings about possible violations and allows you
            to choose whether to accept or reject the incoming file or
            content.

   None     You are not warned of possible security violations.

   Custom   Security settings are based on settings you choose.
With Internet Explorer 4.0/4.01 you can also assign Web sites to different security zones.

For information about security zones, in Internet Explorer click Contents And Index on the Help menu, click the Index tab, type security, and then double-click the "What are security zones" topic.

To access the security setting, follow these steps:
  1. Start Internet Explorer, and then click Internet Options on the View menu.
  2. Click the Security tab.
  3. Click the security method you want to use.
Back to the top

Internet Explorer 3.0

Internet Explorer 3.0 has three security settings: 
   High     Warns you if the file or contents fail to pass the security
            check, and does not accept the contents or file. You are not
            given the option to accept the incoming content.

   Medium   Provides warnings about possible violations and allows you
            to choose whether to accept or reject the incoming file or
            content.

   None     You are not warned of possible security violations.
To access the security setting, follow these steps:
  1. Start Internet Explorer, and then click Options on the View menu.
  2. Click the Security tab.
  3. Click Safety Level.
  4. Click the security method you want to use.
Back to the top
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 1.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 128-Bit Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 128-Bit Edition
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.2
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Standard Edition
Back to the top
Keywords: 
kbcode kbdownload kbfaq KB155444
Back to the top
Retired KB ArticleRetired KB Content Disclaimer
This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.
Back to the top
 

Get Help Now

Contact a support professional by E-mail, Online, or Phone

Article Translations