Published on · Guide
Windows Authenticode: a valid signature is not algorithm secrecy
Check transformations, file signatures and installation separately. One passed check does not replace the rest.
What signature verification answers
Microsoft documents signing, timestamping and signature verification in SignTool. These are different dimensions from decompilation cost. Changes to signed content need a subsequent verification plan; a certificate still being present does not mean the signature remains valid.
Define accepted inputs
Distinguish native executables, managed libraries, installers and drivers. A Windows label is not a compatibility matrix. After protecting a testable module, validate the complete app's launch, updates, plugins and endpoint-security feedback without asking users to disable system protection.
Your checklist
- Identify actual formats and architectures.
- Verify signatures and timestamps after protection.
- Test installation and updates on a clean device.
Primary sources
- Microsoft: SignTool · Checked 2026-10-12