TITLE
    Mac OS 9: File Security - Verifying Digital Signatures
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		60481
9/28/99
10/20/99
TOPIC

    This article explains how to verify a digital signature using file security, a Mac OS feature introduced with Mac OS 9.0

DISCUSSION

    You can verify whether a Mac OS file or program that you've downloaded from the Internet is from the authorized sender and has not been modified by checking its digital signature using the Apple Verifier program (in the Security folder inside the Applications folder).

    To verify the digital signature of a file or program:
    • Drag the item to the Apple Verifier icon.
    • If the file's signature is verified using the certificates in your keychain, you can choose to open the file or view the certificate by clicking a button in the Verification Results window.
    • If the signature is not verified, you can choose to trust that the certificate came from the person (or organization) it says it came from, and the certificate will be added to your keychain. If you choose not to trust it, the file remains on your hard disk.

    IMPORTANT: Before you trust a certificate, you should personally verify its digital "fingerprint" (the certificate's unique ID number that appears in the certificate window) by contacting the company directly. If you trust a certificate without verifying its ID, the security of files on your computer may be compromised.

    Tip: For more information about items in the Verification Results or Trust windows, open the Help menu and choose Show Balloons, then point to the item you want to learn about.

    Creating and adding items to a keychain
    You can create an empty keychain and then add items to it when you connect to servers or use applications that require passwords. Or, if a keychain doesn't already exist, you can tell an application to add an item to your keychain and it will automatically create a keychain for you.

Document Information
Product Area: Mac OS System Software
Category: Mac OS 9.0
Sub Category: System Software Components
Keywords: kmos90

Copyright © 2000 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.