Definition of Authenticode in The Network Encyclopedia.

What is Authenticode?

Authenticode is a Microsoft security technology that certifies the identity of the publisher of software to ensure the software has not been tampered with.

How it works

An Internet software publisher first obtains a digital certificate from a certificate authority (CA) and uses Authenticode signing tools to digitally sign his or her application.

When a user tries to download the application from the Internet, client-side Authenticode software in Microsoft Internet Explorer and Microsoft Windows Operating System displays the publisher’s certificate information to help the user make a more informed decision about whether to install the software on his or her machine.

Authenticode can be used to sign Microsoft ActiveX controls, .cab files, Java applets, or any other executable files.