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The Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label is used on the outside of the retail boxed software and explains what the product is, its country of intended use and country of origin. The label has the following anti-counterfeit security features:
- Moiré image – Within the red area on the left hand side of the label is a feature to assist in proving that the label is genuine. Hold the label horizontally at arm's length and at eye level. Look straight at the label and then move to a very shallow viewing angle, for example by tilting the label away from you. A series of zig zag lines and squares will become visible where there previously appeared to be none.
Product key label
The product key label is a white or orange label that accompanies the installation CD/DVD/USB and Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for a product and contains a 25 character product key. The product key label should not be purchased separately.
This product key label is a white label that accompanies the installation CD/DVD/USB and Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for a product and contains a 25 character product key. In addition to the barcode and product key there is a small amount of print on the left edge and the top right corner. On close inspection (a magnifying glass may be required) the name “MICROSOFT” can be seen in blue in the left side and in green on the right side. The product key label should not be purchased separately.
Media
Many Microsoft products on CD, DVD and USB include holographic security features to help ensure you receive authentic product and to protect against counterfeiting.
Your Windows 10 Microsoft packaged software product is delivered with Windows on a USB device which includes vibrant color and 3D effects as the USB device is tilted. This hologram is embedded within the plastic molded component of the USB; it is not a label.
In limited countries and regions worldwide, you may receive your Office 2016 backup software on a USB device that includes vibrant color and 3D effects as the USB device is tilted. This hologram is embedded within the plastic molded component of the USB; it is not a label.
Microsoft packaged software products prior to Windows 10 such as Windows, Office, and Windows Server are delivered on a CD or DVD, which includes vibrant color and 3D effects on the inner hub of the disc, as the disc is tilted. This hologram is embedded within the disc; it is not a label.
There is also an inner mirror band hologram located on the inner part of the back (data) side of the DVD. It changes color as the disc is tilted.Note: The copper holographic material is embedded within the DVD and is not a sticker. If the hologram peels away, you may have received counterfeit software ( report counterfeit software to Microsoft). With the latest product releases on CD or DVD from Microsoft, additional optical security features can be seen from both sides of the disc, near the inner hole of the disc and along the outer edge. The features are embedded within the disc; they are not on a sticker. When the disc is flipped over, any text or numbers will be seen as a mirror image of the reverse side.
On the thin Outer Mirror Band (OMB) ring, there is an area that shows “Microsoft” changing to the word “Genuine” as you slightly tilt the disc from left to right.
In the Inner Mirror Band (IMB) area there is an indicator arrow with a point towards the outer edge of the disc. There is also a small corresponding indicator arrow on the thin OMB band, facing the much larger IMB version. These two elements should be in direct alignment with each other.
Packaging
When viewing packaging, simple things like spelling errors, blurry text and images, or poor print quality can help you identify counterfeit software. Incorrect logos and photos that don’t quite correspond to the product you’re purchasing can also provide clues that something isn’t quite right.
Get more tips for safer shopping or buy directly from Microsoft.
Back to topInner mirror band hologram Look for the hologram appearing around the center hub area of the Xbox game discs. Each authorized Xbox game disc has a hologram around the center hub that displays the Xbox logo.
Xbox Certificate of Authenticity (COA) To confirm that you have a genuine Xbox game, look for the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) affixed to the opening edge of the game case.
Packaging
When viewing packaging, simple things like spelling errors, blurry text and images, or poor print quality can help you identify counterfeit Xbox games. Incorrect logos and photos that don’t quite correspond to the product you’re purchasing can also provide clues that something isn’t quite right.
Get more tips for safer shopping or buy directly from Microsoft.
When buying Microsoft software as a digital download, we recommend that you avoid auction sites and peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing sites. At the moment there are a limited number of sites where you can legally purchase digital downloads of Microsoft software. One example is the online Microsoft Store, where you can buy a wide variety of genuine software and hardware directly from Microsoft (in select markets). Additionally, you can purchase a digital download of Windows at www.windows.com/shop.
With the exception of Product Key Cards distributed with Certificates of Authenticity (COA’s), Microsoft does not distribute products keys as standalone products. If you see a listing on an auction site, online classified ad, or other online page advertising product keys, it’s a good indication that these keys are likely stolen or counterfeit. Learn more.
Get more tips for safer shopping or buy directly from Microsoft.
Active4 months ago
I have an EXE file that I should like to sign so that Windows will not warn the end user about an application from an 'unknown publisher'. I am not a Windows developer. The application in question is a screensaver generated from an application that generates screensaver applications. As such I have no influence on how the file is generated.
I've already found out that I will need a code signing certificate from a CA like Verisign or instantssl.com. What I don't understand is what I need to do (if at all possible) to sign my EXE file. What is a simple explanation?
Mel Green's answer took me further, but signtool wants me to specify what certificate to use in any case. Can I get a free code signing certificate somehow to test if this will work for me at all?
Also please specify which certificate kind is the correct one. Most sites only mention 'code signing' and talk about signing applications that are actually compiled by the user. This is not the case for me.
deceze♦415k6868 gold badges585585 silver badges732732 bronze badges
LasarLasar2,94733 gold badges2121 silver badges2222 bronze badges
8 Answers
You can try using Microsoft's Sign Tool
You download it as part of the Windows SDK for Windows Server 2008 and .NET 3.5. Once downloaded you can use it from the command line like so:
signtool sign /a MyFile.exe
This signs a single executable, using the 'best certificate' available. (If you have no certificate, it will show a SignTool error message.)
Or you can try:
signtool signwizard
This will launch a wizard that will walk you through signing your application. (This option is not available after Windows SDK 7.0.)
If you'd like to get a hold of certificate that you can use to test your process of signing the executable you can use the .NET tool Makecert.
Once you've created your own certificate and have used it to sign your executable, you'll need to manually add it as a Trusted Root CA for your machine in order for UAC to tell the user running it that it's from a trusted source. Important. Installing a certificate as ROOT CA will endanger your users privacy. Look what happened with DELL. You can find more information for accomplishing this both in code and through Windows in:
- Stack Overflow question Install certificates in to the Windows Local user certificate store in C#
Hopefully that provides some more information for anyone attempting to do this!
Mel GreenMel Green2,53633 gold badges2121 silver badges3131 bronze badges
You can get a free cheap code signing certificate from Certum if you're doing open source development.
I've been using their certificate for over a year, and it does get rid of the unknown publisher message from Windows.
As far as signing code I use signtool.exe from a script like this:
Lee RichardsonLee Richardson
I had the same scenario in my job and here are our findings
The first thing you have to do is get the certificate and install it on your computer, you can either buy one from a Certificate Authority or generate one using makecert.
Here are the pros and cons of the 2 options
Buy a certificate
- Pros
- Using a certificate issued by a CA(Certificate Authority) willensure that Windows will not warn the end user about an applicationfrom an 'unknown publisher' on any Computer using the certificatefrom the CA (OS normally comes with the root certificates from mannyCA's)
- Cons:
- There is a cost involved on getting a certificate from a CA
Generate a certificate using Makecert
- Pros:
- The steps are easy and you can share the certificate with the end users
- Cons:
- End users will have to manually install the certificate on their machines and depending on your clients that might not be an option
- Certificates generated with makecert are normally used for development and testing, not production
Sign the executable file
There are two ways of signing the file you want:
- Using a certificate installed on the computersigntool.exe sign /a /s MY /sha1 sha1_thumbprint_value /t http://timestamp.verisign.com/scripts/timstamp.dll /v 'C:filename.dll'
- In this example we are using a certificate stored on the Personal folder with a SHA1 thumbprint (This thumbprint comes from the certificate) to sign the file located at 'C:filename.dll'
- Using a certificate filesigntool sign /tr http://timestamp.digicert.com /td sha256 /fd sha256 /f 'c:pathtomycert.pfx' /p pfxpassword 'c:pathtofile.exe'
- In this example we are using the certificate 'c:pathtomycert.pfx' with the password pfxpassword to sign the file 'c:pathtofile.exe'
Test Your Signature
Method 1: Using signtool
Go to: Start > RunType CMD > click OKAt the command prompt, enter the directory where signtool existsRun the following:
signtool.exe verify /pa /v 'C:filename.dll'
Method 2: Using Windows
Right-click the signed fileSelect PropertiesSelect the Digital Signatures tab. The signature will be displayed in the Signature list section.
I hope this could help you
Sources:
Erick CastrilloErick Castrillo
The ASP's magazine ASPects has a detailed description on how to sign code (You have to be a member to read the article). You can download it through http://www.asp-shareware.org/
Here's link to a description how you can make your own test certificate.
This might also be interesting.
Marian9,35144 gold badges2525 silver badges3838 bronze badges
AndreasAndreas
Another option, if you need to sign the executable on a Linux box is to use signcode from the Mono project tools. It is supported on Ubuntu.
Peter Mortensen14.5k1919 gold badges8989 silver badges118118 bronze badges
mozeymozey
Reference https://steward-fu.github.io/website/driver/wdm/self_sign.htmNote: signtool.exe from Microsoft SDK
1.First time (to make private cert)
Makecert -r -pe -ss YourName YourName.cer
certmgr.exe -add YourName.cer -s -r localMachine root
2.After (to add your sign to your app)
signtool sign /s YourName YourApp.exe
Ethan KuoEthan Kuo
And yet another option, if you're developing on Windows 10 but don't have Microsoft's signtool.exe installed, you can use Bash on Ubuntu on Windows to sign your app. Here is a run down:
Stacey RichardsStacey Richards5,17177 gold badges3333 silver badges3939 bronze badges
Use following link to sign .exe (setup/ installer)file (sign exe/setup file without using Microsoft setup signtool)
sample command java -jar jsign-2.0.jar --keystore keystore.jks' --alias alias --storepass password MyInstaller.exe
Worked for me :)
user2085962user2085962