A digital document used to verify the authenticity and integrity of software, obtained without cost, ensures that the software originates from a known developer and has not been tampered with since it was signed. As an illustration, a developer may apply this type of certificate to a downloadable application, assuring users that the program is genuine and unaltered.
Securing software through this method offers significant advantages, including bolstering user trust by confirming the software’s source and preventing the distribution of malicious code disguised as legitimate applications. Historically, the expense associated with acquiring these certificates posed a barrier for independent developers; the availability of methods to acquire them at no cost democratizes the process, enabling wider adoption of secure software distribution practices.
