The newsletter can also be read on the web: http://www.samlogic.net/newsletter/latest-news/2016/02/

 SamLogic Newsletter - #02/[$Ar] - Code Signing and Digital Certificates

CONTENT

Foreword
Visual Installer's code signing function has been updated
What is the difference between SHA-1 and SHA-2?
How do I code sign a setup package? 
Q&A about code signing and digital certificates
More news on Facebook


FOREWORD

To [$Namn],

In January 1, 2016, a big change occurred that affects all who code sign software and installation packages. If you are one of them that regularly code sign binary files or installation packages, you should read the next section carefully. This is especially important if you use Visual Installer to create your setup packages.

This issue of our newsletter is a special issue that covers code signing and digital certificates.
 
Sincerely,
Anders Persson
SamLogic Software

VISUAL INSTALLER'S CODE SIGNING FUNCTION IS UPDATED

Since January 1, 2016, Windows 7 and newer Windows will no longer trust software that is signed with a SHA-1 code signing certificate, if the software is downloaded from the Internet and the software is time-stamped with a date newer than January 1, 2016. This means that if you code sign a binary file (for example an EXE file) this year and uses SHA-1 as a hash algorithm, it will not be trusted in newer Windows. Harsh warning messages will be shown, and in many cases the software can not even be installed.

Instead you must use a SHA-2 (SHA-256) code signing certificate; then the binary file will be trusted by Windows 7 and newer.

We have updated our installation tool Visual Installer 2015 to support SHA-2 (SHA-256) when it code signs a setup package. We have also updated Visual Installer to support dual signing, so you can code sign a setup package with both SHA-1 and SHA-2. This is very useful if you have software that should be able to run also in older Windows.



For further information about the updated code signing function in Visual Installer, read this blog post:

Visual Installer now supports SHA-2 and dual code signing

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHA-1 AND SHA-2?

As we wrote above, Visual Installer now supports both the SHA-1 and SHA-2 hash algorithms when it code signs setup packages. But maybe you wonder what this really means and what the difference is between SHA-1 and SHA-2? We will give you an explanation in this blog post:

What is SHA-1 and SHA-2 & what’s the difference between them?
  

USB MENU CREATOR - AUTORUN MENUS FOR USB STICKS

With USB Menu Creator you can create AutoRun menu interfaces for USB flash drives. The menus will open automatically when the USB stick is plugged into the computer's USB port. From a menu users can run programs, open documents, play videos etc.
 
USB Menu Creator is a special bundle that contains the following 3 products: CD-Menu Creator, USB AutoRun Creator and Image Resizer. Click on the link below to read more:
 
Read more about SamLogic USB Menu Creator

HOW DO I CODE SIGN A SETUP PACKAGE?

If you don't know how to code sign a setup package when using Visual Installer, we recommend you to read the following step-by-step tip. It explains how to choose a proper code signing tool and how to code sign a setup package from Visual Installer:

Tip: How to code sign a setup package

Q&A ABOUT CODE SIGNING AND DIGITAL CERTIFICATES
 

 
We recommend you to also read this Q&A page on our web site about code signing and digital certificates:
 
What is Code Signing / Digital Signature / Digital Certificate?

MORE NEWS ON FACEBOOK

Read more news on our Facebook pageMore news are available on our Facebook page. Right now you can for example read about:
 
- CD-Menu Creator’s button commands explained
- Updated support for .NET in Visual Installer
- New setup dialog box in Visual Installer (that handles user options)

Click the link below to visit our Facebook page:
  
Visit SamLogic Software's Facebook page
    
   
BUY
NOW:
 
Visual Installer 2015

 
  
Order the latest version of our installation tool. Prices from 99 dollar:
  
Order here
   
   
CD-Menu Creator 2015

  

 
Order the latest version of our menu design tool. Prices from 79 dollar:
 
Order here
  
  
Media Tools

  
 
You can also order the latest Media Tools suite (where the 2 tools above are included). You will also get 1 year support & updates.
 
Prices from 149 dollar:
 
Order here
  
  
 
OTHER PRODUCTS

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Demos / Trials
 
 
SEE ALSO

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SamLogic Software | Box 102 | 135 23 Tyreso, Sweden | +46 853 183 900 | info@samlogic.com | www.samlogic.net
 

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