In addition to packaging your application in CAB format, you may want to digitally sign the application. The OpenROAD eClient is digitally signed by Actian Corporation. When running an eClient application for the first time, users will be presented with a digital signature dialog prompting them to choose whether to install the eClient. The dialog indicates that the digital signature of the eClient has been verified and that the content of the CAB file is safe to install.

The process of digitally signing an application is separate from the creation of the CAB file; it is not part of the MakeCAB utility. To digitally sign an application, you must use Microsoft SignCode or other digital signature utility. For more information about this utility, see the MSDN web site.

It is not necessary that your application be digitally signed; however, clients may need to modify their Internet Explorer settings. For more information, see Change Internet Explorer Security Settings for an Unsigned Application.

If you want users to be able to download and run an unsigned application generated by MakeCAB, they must lower their security settings in Internet Explorer. We recommend that the option “Download Unsigned ActiveX Controls” be set no lower than “Prompt.”