HOWTO: Digitally Sign Your Visual Basic 5.0 Internet Application

• Microsoft Visual Basic Control Creation, Learning, Professional, and Enterprise Editions for Windows, version 5.0
• Microsoft Internet Client SDK, versions 4.0, 4.01

SUMMARY

With Visual Basic 5.0, 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 5.0 Internet application or component digitally signed.

MORE INFORMATION

1. First you need to have the latest version of Internet Explorer installed on your system. IE version 3.0 or later is required. To obtain the latest version of Internet Explorer please visit the following web location:

   http://www.microsoft.com/ie/download

2. Next, you need to apply for 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 sites:

   http://www.microsoft.com/workshop/prog/security/authcode/certs.htm

   http://www.microsoft.com/devonly

   You can also search the Microsoft home page for information about "Authenticode."

3. Obtain the latest version of the ActiveX 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 ActiveX SDK is located at the following web address:

   http://www.microsoft.com/workshop/prog/sdk

   Once you have obtained the ActiveX SDK and followed the instructions for digitally signing your code, your application and/or components will be digitally signed and ready for Internet distribution.

REFERENCES

For more information regarding digital signing, visit the following web sites:

   http://www.microsoft.com/intdev/security/authcode/sixsteps.htm

   http://www.microsoft.com/security/tech/authcode/authcode.htm

Keywords          : vb5all vb5howto VBKBInet VBKBSetup kbhowto
Version           : 5.0
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto