Description of Digital Code Signing in Internet Explorer (155444)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 1.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.x for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.02 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 for Windows NT 4.0
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 for Windows NT 4.0
  • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q155444

SUMMARY

Digital Code Signing is a standard used to help ensure that content and files you download from the Internet have come from trusted sources and have not been altered since their creation. This also provides additional protection against computer viruses.

MORE INFORMATION

Digital Code Signing can be used for downloadable files and ActiveX Web page content.

When a file or an ActiveX page is downloaded, a check is performed to determine if the file or content was signed by the publisher and whether or not the certificate used to sign the code is valid. You are prompted to continue downloading the file based on the information that is displayed.

Internet Explorer 4.0/5

Internet Explorer 4.0/5 has four security settings: 
   High     Warns you if the file or contents fail to pass the security
            check, and does not accept the contents or file. You are not
            given the option to accept the incoming content.

   Medium   Provides warnings about possible violations and allows you
            to choose whether to accept or reject the incoming file or
            content.

   None     You are not warned of possible security violations.

   Custom   Security settings are based on settings you choose.
With Internet Explorer 4.0/4.01 you can also assign Web sites to different security zones.

For information about security zones, in Internet Explorer click Contents And Index on the Help menu, click the Index tab, type security, and then double-click the "What are security zones" topic.

To access the security setting, follow these steps:
  1. Start Internet Explorer, and then click Internet Options on the View menu.
  2. Click the Security tab.
  3. Click the security method you want to use.

Internet Explorer 3.0

Internet Explorer 3.0 has three security settings: 
   High     Warns you if the file or contents fail to pass the security
            check, and does not accept the contents or file. You are not
            given the option to accept the incoming content.

   Medium   Provides warnings about possible violations and allows you
            to choose whether to accept or reject the incoming file or
            content.

   None     You are not warned of possible security violations.
To access the security setting, follow these steps:
  1. Start Internet Explorer, and then click Options on the View menu.
  2. Click the Security tab.
  3. Click Safety Level.
  4. Click the security method you want to use.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/5/2003
Keywords:kbcode kbDownload kbFAQ KB155444
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.