SIGNED DRIVER Meaning and
Definition
-
A signed driver is a software component that is designed to communicate and interact with a specific hardware device on a computer system, and has been digitally signed by the device manufacturer or a trusted third-party entity.
Digital signature is a cryptographic technique that ensures the authenticity, integrity, and non-repudiation of the driver. When a driver is digitally signed, it carries a unique digital certificate issued by the manufacturer or a trusted certificate authority, which attests to its origin and verifies that it has not been tampered with since its creation.
Signed drivers play a crucial role in maintaining system security and stability. By having a recognized digital signature, they are known to be legitimate and trustworthy, meeting certain quality criteria and compatibility standards. Operating systems such as Windows require drivers to be signed before they can be installed or loaded, effectively preventing the installation of malicious or poorly developed drivers that could potentially compromise system functionality or introduce security vulnerabilities.
Moreover, signed drivers provide a means of establishing a trusted relationship between hardware devices and the operating system, enabling efficient and reliable communication. Operating systems typically maintain a database of trusted digital certificates, and when a signed driver is installed, it is cross-referenced with this database to ensure its validity and to permit its execution. In the event that a driver is found to be unsigned or its digital signature is found to be invalid, the operating system may reject its installation or execution as a precautionary measure.
Common Misspellings for SIGNED DRIVER
- aigned driver
- zigned driver
- xigned driver
- digned driver
- eigned driver
- wigned driver
- sugned driver
- sjgned driver
- skgned driver
- sogned driver
- s9gned driver
- s8gned driver
- sifned driver
- sivned driver
- sibned driver
- sihned driver
- siyned driver
- sitned driver
- sigbed driver
- sigmed driver
Etymology of SIGNED DRIVER
The term "signed driver" comes from the combination of two different origins: "signed" and "driver".
The term "signed" originates from the Old French word "signe" or "saigne", meaning "mark" or "seal". In English, it started being used around the 14th century to refer to marking something with a sign, symbol, or signature to indicate authenticity or endorsement. This concept continued to evolve and was eventually applied to the digital world as a means of verifying the authenticity and integrity of software.
The term "driver" in computer science refers to a software component that enables the operating system to communicate with a specific hardware device or peripheral. Drivers act as intermediaries, translating commands from the operating system into instructions that the hardware can understand and execute.
When combined, the term "signed driver" refers to a software driver that has been digitally signed by its creator or manufacturer using a cryptographic signature.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
