GlobalSign® Corporate Information

GlobalSign Announces Extensions to its Code Signing Certificate Capability

ObjectSign Certificates Provide End USers with Abilities to Secure Vista 64 bit and Mac OS applications- also includes Free Timestamping Service

Portsmouth, NH –02 July, 2007 – GlobalSign (www.globalsign.com), one of the longest established Certification Authorities (CA) and specialists in SSL security, today announced the availability of ObjectSign Certificates for code signing on Microsoft Windows Vista and the Apple Mac OS.  ObjectSign certifies, authenticates, digitally signs and ensures the integrity of code for developers of applications both for Windows Vista and the Apple Mac Operating System.  Alongside Verisign and CyberTrust, GlobalSign is one of only three CAs authorized to issue code signing certificates for the high end Windows 64-bit version of the Vista Operating System.
                                                                                            
New security features in Microsoft’s Vista platform mean that in certain situations, software will not execute unless it is code signed.  For example, all x64 editions of Windows Vista, kernel-mode code must be digitally signed.  By enforcing this policy, the operating system maintains its integrity and reduces the risk of users installing malicious or harmful software. 

ObjectSign provides a range of benefits to both consumers and to software vendors to help inspire confidence in trading via the Internet and drive the next generation of software delivery.  Software vendors can protect and increase brand loyalty by ensuring that consumers rely on and recognize the integrity of the software delivered through the Internet.  In addition, loss of potential software sales are dramatically lowered through clearer presentation of information about the code including who wrote it, where and when.  This new information replaces alarming warning messages and gives the user the opportunity to assess the code for themselves.  Above all, costs are pushed down through a reduction in overheads as software delivery moves away from traditional shrink-wrapped boxes towards an online platform.

GlobalSign’s ObjectSign now also includes a free timestamping service available to all software vendors using GlobalSign codesigning certificates.  The free service adds a timestamp to the application during the signing process.  The benefits are twofold – the consumer can see the specific time and date of when the application was signed, and the software vendor ensures the signature does not expire, essentially allowing consumers to validate the signature for an indefinite period of time.

On the consumer side, ObjectSign gives those buying and downloading from the Web the confidence to acquire new software without the fear of potentially installing malware.  The new security precautions also allow consumers to see where software originates and that the vendors are legitimate – on an ongoing basis this means that updates and new drivers can be seamlessly downloaded without undue delay, giving users free reign to maximize usage of their operating system and applications.

“That GlobalSign is one of just three companies trusted by Microsoft to deliver services such ObjectSign Certificates for Windows Vista, really cements our position as one of the most established certificate authorities worldwide,” said Paul Tourret, managing director, GlobalSign.  “We have delivered code signing for many years now but with the introduction of the free timestamping service and as OS technology shifts towards 64 bit platforms, so has our capability.  GlobalSign is perfectly positioned to support the application vendors of tomorrow, building trust in the Web community and hastening online delivery methods.”

In addition to the code signing ability in Windows Vista, GlobalSign will now also provide support to digitally sign Apple Mac applications.  This function is now available for applications running on MacOS 9 onwards.

For more information on code signing for Windows or MacOS, please visit:
http://www.globalsign.com/document-security-compliance/microsoft-office-document-security/

ObjectSign is available now priced at $229 / €179 (Compared to $495 from Verisign).

About GMO GlobalSign
Established in 1996 and as a WebTrust accredited public certificate authority, GlobalSign offers publicly trusted SSL Certificates, EV SSL, Managed SSL Services, S/MIME email security and Code Signing for use on all platforms including mobile devices. Its Trusted Root solution uses the widely embedded GlobalSign Root CA certificates to provide immediate PKI trust for Microsoft Certificate Services and internal PKI, eliminating the costs of using untrusted Root Certificates. Its partnership with Adobe to provide Certified Document Services (CDS) enables secure digitally signed PDF documents, certified transcripts and e-invoices.  These core Digital Certificate solutions allow its thousands of authenticated customers to conduct secure online transactions, data transfer, distribution of tamper-proof code, and protection of online identities for secure email and access control.  The company has a history of innovation within the online security industry and has offices in the US, UK, Belgium, Japan, China and Singapore.

GMO Internet Group
GMO Internet Group is one of the most comprehensive providers of industry-leading Internet services worldwide. As well as domain registration, web hosting, ecommerce, and payment processing businesses that each hold the top share in their respective markets in Japan, services operated by the group include Internet advertising, search engine marketing and research. Global online security brand GlobalSign and major Japanese online securities brokerage, GMO CLICK Securities are also group members. In 2011 a new Social Media & Smartphone Platform segment was established bringing together group initiatives in social apps development, flash marketing and Android apps distribution. GMO Internet, Inc. (TSE: 9449) is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Please visit www.gmo.jp/en for more information.

For further details please contact:

GlobalSign Australia
(AU free call) 1800 447 568