signing a exe

[Hauer Wolfgang]

Hi!

I have just now downloaded the powertoys for CE. In some of the exe's the
readme states that i have to "sign" the exe before deploying to the pocket
device.

What does that mean, why i should do it and how can i do that.

Thanks Wolfgang

 

[Daniel Moth]

Don't know about your specific scenario but signing in a .NET context
usually refers to giving an assembly a strong name with sn.exe

Cheers
Daniel

 

[Alex Feinman [MVP]]

You need to obtain a certificate (or generate one depending on your needs)
and then use SignCode.exe from the Pocket PC 2003 SDK (Smartphone SDK) Tools
directory to sign your executable. Depending on the particular device
security model you may require to purchase code-signing incidents from
someone like Verisign or Geotrust. In case of Geotrust they will send you a
USB token that will allow you to log into their secure site and upload an
executable(s) for sigining.

With most of the pocket PCs and some smartphones simply signing an .exe with
the development certificate (which is installed along with the SDK) is
sufficient.

 

[Hauer Wolfgang]

Tks a lot for your very complete answer.
I have only one questions wich may sound silly:

Why forces MS me to sign a exe on my desktop with a cert from MS (or
verisign) to publish for my pda connected to my desktop?
Is there any real reason to do that?

Tks Wolfgang

 

[Alex Feinman [MVP]]

Mobile devices support a code security model. Depending on the
manufactured/vendor/operator you may or may not install unsigned executables
to the device. It is not Microsoft that forces you to sign the app

 

[Hauer Wolfgang]

Tks

wolfgang

Mobile devices support a code security model. Depending on the
manufactured/vendor/operator you may or may not install unsigned
executables to the device. It is not Microsoft that forces you to sign the
app