## Overview

This document explains how to digitally sign files with the Authenticode™ technology included in Microsoft's ActiveX™ SDK. These digital signatures associate a software vendor's name and unique public key with a file; thus, assuring some level of accountability.

This document includes the following sections:

- An introduction to code signing.
- Procedures for signing code using Authenticode.
- Procedures for checking that the code was signed successfully.
- A glossary.
- Appendixes with related information.

Currently, Authenticode allows software vendors to sign:

- .exe files.
- .cab files.
- .ocx files.
- .class files.

© 1996 Microsoft Corporation