Code signing certificate is a kind of digital certificate, which has a great influence on the legality of codes, software, applications and executable files. Code signing certificate based on public key infrastructure signs the code to ensure that the application product will not be changed or destroyed in the process from the developer system to the end user system. Code signing can help end users determine whether a software application is trustworthy.

Standard code signing certificate

Standard code signing only needs to verify the basic information and tax information of the applicant enterprise. After successful verification, 32/64-bit applications will be signed by email to prevent false positives of various antivirus software. It needs shorter processing time and lower cost, and can't be used for LSA and UEFI file signing, and can't be used for kernel mode drivers.

EV extended code signing certificate

The EV code signing certificate not only verifies the basic information and tax information of the enterprise, but also checks the business address of the enterprise and the identity of the applicant. The important feature different from the standard code signing is that it supports the signature of Windows 10 kernel driver files, which eliminates the security reminder of SmartScreen filter. In addition, EV code signing needs Microsoft to cross-sign the kernel mode driver file.

The main differences between them are as follows: