News

News

2007/12/18

GlobalSign Launches Code Signing Certificates for Microsoft Office VBA Macros

Tokyo – December 18, 2007 – GMO Hosting & Security consolidated subsidiary and digital certificate services company GlobalSign today launches code signing certificates for Microsoft Office VBA(*1) macros. GMO Hosting & Security is a GMO Internet Group company.
(*1)Visual Basic for Applications: the Microsoft macro description programming language embedded in Microsoft Office applications.

VBA Macro Security Features
VBA is a programming environment that was originally integrated into Microsoft Office. It has since been significantly improved and is now used to develop other Windows and web applications.
While VBA is a convenient programming development language, in recent years concerns have arisen over malicious software causing increasingly serious damage through VBA. Microsoft has made improvements to security in Office applications preventing Office documents containing unsigned (object signing) macros from executing after each update.

The Importance of Digital Signatures (Code Signing)
A digital signature on an Office document containing a macro verifies that it originated from a reliable distributor. Digital code signing certificates are even more important now that they are a security feature recommended by Microsoft.
GlobalSign provides code signing certificates for MS Authenticode(*2), Object Signing (Java) and now MS Office VBA (version for macros).
*Microsoft Authenticode: Authenticode identifies the publisher of signed software and verifies that it hasn’t been tampered with, before the user downloads software.

GlobalSign provides a more secure environment for computer use and promotes security in Internet infrastructure.

GlobalSign
GlobalSign began providing digital authentication services to Belgium ten years ago when digital authentication companies were first beginning to appear. Customers include a number of Belgian government agencies and the GlobalSign Certificate Authority operates many prestigious government projects such as eID*(BELPIC). We are recognized as the Belgian Government Certificate Authority. GlobalSign became a member of the GMO Internet Group in 2006 and beginning in Japan is expanding sales of government-level security worldwide.
eID*: A citizen ID card. This is the first stage of the e-government project in Belgium. The ID card containing a digital certificate is distributed to all Belgian citizens over the age of 12.

Performance: (cumulative figures)
– Over 100,000 SSL Server Certificates issued
– Over1.4 million digital certificates (for web sites, IC Cards etc. including Digital IDs) issued
– Over 20 million certificates worldwide rely on the public trust provided by the GlobalSign root (including issues by subordinate CAs)
– We supply many major government agencies and major corporations.

Profile
– The first certificate authority in Europe to obtain WebTrust accreditation
– CABF (CA/Browser Forum) member
In Japan GlobalSign (formerly GeoTrust JAPAN) participates as JCAF (Japan Certificate Authority Forum)
– Member of Anti-Phishing Working Group

Media Inquiries
GMO Hosting & Security INC. Corporate Planning Department
E-mail: pr@gmo-hs.com
GMO Internet Inc. Group PR Team
E-mail: pr@gmo.jp

The GMO Internet Group
The GMO Internet Group is a leading force in the Internet industry offering one of the most comprehensive ranges of Internet services in Japan. We hold top domestic market shares in domain registration, web hosting and payment processing and we provide a host of other services including e-commerce solutions and Internet advertising to individual and corporate customers. Striving to redefine the industry and foster a vibrant Internet culture, the GMO Internet Group is continuously working to inspire enthusiasm in our customers and put smiles on their faces.

GlobalSign K.K.
















Company Name

GlobalSign K.K.<http://jp.globalsign.com/>

Address

Shibuya Infoss Tower 20-1, 20-1 Sakuragaoakacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN

CEO

Ichiro Chujo

Business Description

– Information security and digital authentication

Capital

356,640,000 YEN

GMO Hosting & Security INC.















Company Name

GMO Hosting & Security INC.<http://www.gmo-hs.com/eng/>
(TSE Mothers Market Code: 3788)

Address

Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN

CEO

Mitsuru Aoyama

Business Description

– Web hosting service
– Internet security

Capital

905,000,000 YEN

GMO Internet Inc.















Company Name

GMO Internet Inc.<http://www.gmo.jp/en>
(TSE First Section Code: 9449)

Address

Cerulean Tower, 26-1 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya ku, Tokyo, JAPAN

CEO

Masatoshi Kumagai

Business Description

– Internet Use Support (Infrastructure)
– Internet Advertising Support (Media)

Capital

9,651,750,000 YEN

*Microsoft Office is a Microsoft Corporation (US) product.
*All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

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