INFO: Digitally Sign Your Visual Basic Internet Application

With Visual Basic 5.0 and later, you can now develop software easily for distribution over the Internet. Code received via the Internet lacks shrink-wrapped packaging to vouch for its reliability and some users may be skeptical when asked to download your application and components. To reassure these users that your application and components are safe to download, you can provide a digital signature to assure your customers that your software will not harm their systems. This article gives a brief overview of how to have your Visual Basic Internet application or component digitally signed.

Install the latest version of Internet Explorer on your system. Internet Explorer version 3.0 or later is required. To obtain the latest version of Internet Explorer please go to the following Web site: Get credentials from a Certificate Authority (CA). A Certificate Authority is a third party who will give users information about you. The CA provides and renews your certificate, authenticates your identity, and handles legal and liability issues for broken security. For instructions on obtaining a certificate from a CA, visit the following Web site: You can also search the Microsoft home page for information about "Authenticode." Obtain the latest version of the Internet Client SDK for the tools needed to sign your code. Consult the code signing documentation provided in the SDK for additional information on using these tools. The Internet Client SDK is located at the following web address: Once you have obtained the Internet Client SDK and followed the instructions for digitally signing your code, your application and/or components will be digitally signed and ready for Internet distribution.

For more information regarding digital signing, visit the following Web site: For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: Also, search the Microsoft home page for information about "Authenticode."