GlobalSign Announces Extensions to its Code Signing Certificate Capability

ObjectSign Certificates Provide End Users with Abilities to Secure Vista 64 bit and Mac OS applications – also includes Free Timestamping Service

July 2, 2007; 05:35 AM

LONDON, UK – GlobalSign (www.globalsign.com), one of the longest established Certification Authorities (CA) and specialists in SSL security, today announced the availability of ObjectSign certificates for code signing on Microsoft Windows Vista and the Apple Mac OS. ObjectSign certifies, authenticates, digitally signs and ensures the integrity of code for developers of applications both for Windows Vista and the Apple Mac Operating System. Alongside Verisign and CyberTrust, GlobalSign is one of only three CAs authorised to issue code signing certificates for the high end Windows 64-bit version of the Vista Operating System.

New security features in Microsoft’s Vista platform mean that in certain situations, software will not execute unless it is code signed. For example, all x64 editions of Windows Vista, kernel-mode code must be digitally signed. By enforcing this policy, the operating system maintains its integrity and reduces the risk of users installing malicious or harmful software.

ObjectSign provides a range of benefits to both consumers and to software vendors to help inspire confidence in trading via the Internet and drive the next generation of software delivery. Software vendors can protect and increase brand loyalty by ensuring that consumers rely on and recognise the integrity of the software delivered through the Internet. In addition, loss of potential software sales are dramatically lowered through clearer presentation of information about the code including who wrote it, where and when. This new information replaces alarming warning messages and gives the user the opportunity to assess the code for themselves. Above all, costs are pushed down through a reduction in overheads as software delivery moves away from traditional shrink-wrapped boxes towards an online platform.

GlobalSign’s ObjectSign now also includes a free timestamping service available to all software vendors using GlobalSign codesigning certificates. The free service adds a timestamp to the application during the signing process. The benefits are twofold – the consumer can see the specific time and date of when the application was signed, and the software vendor ensures the signature does not expire, essentially allowing consumers to validate the signature for an indefinite period of time.On the consumer side, ObjectSign gives those buying and downloading from the Web the confidence to acquire new software without the fear of potentially installing malware. The new security precautions also allow consumers to see where software originates and that the vendors are legitimate – on an ongoing basis this means that updates and new drivers can be seamlessly downloaded without undue delay, giving users free reign to maximise usage of their operating system and applications.

"That GlobalSign is one of just three companies trusted by Microsoft to deliver services such ObjectSign Certificates for Windows Vista, really cements our position as one of the most established certificate authorities worldwide," said Paul Tourret, managing director, GlobalSign. "We have delivered code signing for many years now but with the introduction of the free timestamping service and as OS technology shifts towards 64 bit platforms, so has our capability. GlobalSign is perfectly positioned to support the application vendors of tomorrow, building trust in the Web community and hastening online delivery methods."

In addition to the code signing ability in Windows Vista, GlobalSign will now also provide support to digitally sign Apple Mac applications. This function is now available for applications running on MacOS 9 onwards.

For more information on code signing for Windows or MacOS, please visit: http://www.globalsign.com/digital_certificate/objectsign/index.cfm

ObjectSign is available now priced at $229 / €179 (Compared to $495 from Verisign).

About GlobalSign NV

Established in 1996 and as a WebTrust accredited public certificate authority, GlobalSign offers publicly trusted SSL (standard and new Extended Validation), S/MIME and code signing certificates. These core solutions allow its thousands of enterprise customers to conduct secure online transactions and data submission, and provide tamper-proof distributable code as well as being able to bind identities to client certificates for email security and remote two factor authentication, such as SSL VPNs. It has sales and support expertise available through its US, UK and Belgian offices, available in 6 languages.

In October 2006, GlobalSign was acquired by Certification Services Ltd (now GlobalSign Ltd.) a UK based marketing & sales company specialising in digital certificate sales, support and strategy and part of the GMO Internet Group. The new ownership has resulted in significant investment in the GlobalSign product and service portfolio, customer service infrastructure as well as ongoing R&D.

GMO Internet Inc. (CEO Masatoshi Kumagai) is headquartered in Tokyo and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, First Section (Code: 9449). Its Internet based business areas include Internet infrastructure, media and finance. Further details can be found at http://www.gmo.jp/en

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