PAD Overview -> Specification Resources -> Digital Signature

PAD Digital Signature Specification Resources

Overview

The development of digital PAD signing was motivated by the need to provide a mechanism by which PAD file consumers can ensure that PAD files are authentic. By authentic we mean that they are from who they say they are and that they have not been modified in an unauthorized fashion. To that end the World Wide Web consortium XMLDSIG standard was adopted as the mechanism by which PAD file producers could use their Authenticode signing keys to digitally sign their PAD files in such a way that their authenticity and integrity can be verified by any PAD file consumer. The optional <Signature> tag is added to the PAD file in such a way that the format remains compatible with existing PAD applications.

Documentation

• How to sign and verify PAD files using PADGen
  (MUST READ for authors to sign their PAD files using PADGen)
• How to sign and verify PAD files using the PAD Signing and Verification Tools
  (MUST READ for authors to sign their PAD files NOT using PADGen)

Downloads

• PAD Signing and Verification Tools Version 3.0.1.4
  (Required for authors not using PADGen to sign their PAD files, and PAD consumers to verify signed PAD files)
  
• Microsoft PVK Import Utility (external download)
  (Required for authors to sign their PAD files)
  

• Source Code for PAD Signing and Verification Tools
  (NOT required for authors to sign their PAD files)
  We have provided this reference implementation in the form of source code for the signpad and verifypad commands. It is intended to serve as a model implementation to those how would incorporate digital PAD signature support in their applications.
• Certificate Authority List and Revocation List
  (also included in PAD Signing and Verification Tools)
  The public key infrastructure approach used to support PAD file digital signatures relies on the maintenance of a list of certificate issuing authorities and a list of revoked certificates. The ASP, as maintainer of the PAD specification, undertakes to maintain current versions of these lists available online.

Links

• World Wide Web consortion XMLDSIG standard