DOCUMENT:Q174159  23-SEP-1997  [vbwin]
TITLE   :DOC: Correction for VB Setup Wizard Code Signing Info
PRODUCT :Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows
PROD/VER:WINDOWS:5.0
OPER/SYS:WINDOWS
KEYWORDS:vb5all

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The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Visual Basic Control Creation, Professional, and Enterprise
   Editions for Windows, version 5.0
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SUMMARY
=======

The Visual Basic 5.0 Setup Wizard Help contains some incorrect information
regarding code signing with Authenticode. This article contains the correct
information.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The Visual Basic 5.0 Setup Wizard Help, under "Setup Wizard -- Internet
Package," states:

   "Although Visual Basic, version 5.0, does not include any tools to
   digitally sign components, the Setup Wizard-generated .cab files reserve
   space for you to add a digital signature at a later time. To get your
   files digitally signed you can:

   - Send them to a service provider such as VeriSign, who keeps the
     private key. The service provider signs the files and returns them to
     you.

   - Purchase special hardware and/or software which stores your private
     key locally. When you are ready to sign your files, run a utility such
     as CodeSign to sign your files. The ActiveX SDK includes tools to
     create text signatures.

   - Use the ActiveX SDK to create test digital signatures."

The above statements should be replaced with the following corrected and
updated information:

   Although Visual Basic, version 5.0, does not include any tools to
   digitally sign components, the Setup Wizard-generated .cab files reserve
   space for you to add a digital signature at a later time.

   You can sign your files by creating a "test certificate" with signing
   tools provided in the ActiveX SDK (for Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02)
   or Internet Client SDK (for Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 and above).
   In addition to the code signing tools you will need either:

   - A digital code signing certificate obtained from a Certificate
     Authority such as VeriSign,

     -or-

   - A test code signing certificate created using the code signing tools
     mentioned above.

Note that the test code signing certificate is for test purposes only and
not for final code distribution.

REFERENCES
==========

For more information about signing code, click on the Authenticode table of
contents link on the Microsoft Security Advisor site at
http://www.microsoft.com/security.

NOTE: Because the Microsoft Web site is constantly updated, the site
address may change without notice. If this occurs, link to the Microsoft
home page at the following address:

   http://www.microsoft.com/

Additional query words: Authenticode
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Keywords          : vb5all
Technology        : kbInetDev
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0
Platform          : WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbdocerr

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