Description of the Signature Verification Tool

Windows 98 includes a tool called Microsoft Signature Verification Tool. You can use this tool to view files to determine if they are signed or unsigned files. This article describes the Signature Verification tool.

The Signature Verification tool finds signed and unsigned files on your computer. A signed file is a file that has been given a digital signature by a certifying authority. The digital signature indicates that the file is an unaltered copy of the original file. With the Signature Verification tool, you can:

• Search for signed files in a specific location.
• Search for unsigned files in a specific location.
• View the certificates of the signed files to make sure the files have not been tampered with.

How to Search for Signed or Unsigned Files

To search for signed or unsigned files, use the following steps:

1. Click Start, Point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Information.
2. On the Tools menu, click Signature Verification Tool.
3. In the Look For box, click Signed Files or Not Signed Files.
4. If you are looking for a specific file, type the name of the file you want to find in the Named box, and then click Find Now. If you are not looking for a specific file and you want to view all signed or unsigned files, click Find Now.

How to View a Certificate of a Signed File

To view a signed file's certificate, use the following steps:

1. Click Start, Point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Information.
2. On the Tools menu, click Signature Verification Tool.
3. In the Look For box, click Signed Files.
4. If you are looking for a specific file, type the name of the file you want to find in the Named box, and then click Find Now. If you are not looking for a specific file and you want to view all signed files, click Find Now.
5. Click the signed file name, and then click Details.