50. A customer reports that software the customer downloaded from a public website has malware in it. However, the company that created the software denies any malware in its software at delivery time. Which of the following techniques will address this concern?
Answer: D
Code signing will address the concern of malware in the software.
Code signing is a technique that verifies the authenticity and integrity of software by ensuring that it has not been altered or corrupted since it was signed by the developer. This provides assurance to users that the software is from a legitimate source and has not been tampered with, addressing the customer's concern about malware.
A) Secure storage
Secure storage refers to the methods and technologies used to protect data from unauthorized access or corruption. While it is important for protecting sensitive data, it does not specifically address the issue of verifying the integrity or authenticity of the software downloaded by the customer.
B) Static code analysis
Static code analysis involves examining the source code of a program without executing it to find potential vulnerabilities or bugs. Although this technique can help identify security issues before the software is released, it does not provide a mechanism for users to verify the integrity or authenticity of the software once it has been downloaded.
C) Input validation
Input validation is a technique used to ensure that the data provided to a program meets certain criteria and is safe to process. While crucial for preventing malicious inputs during software operation, it does not address the initial concern of verifying whether the downloaded software contains malware or has been altered.
D) Code signing
Code signing is a security measure that allows developers to sign their software with a cryptographic key, enabling users to verify the identity of the publisher and the integrity of the software. This technique directly addresses the customer's concern by providing a way to confirm that the software is legitimate and has not been modified after being released by the developer.
Conclusion
Code signing is the most effective technique for addressing the customer's concern about malware, as it ensures that the software is from a trusted source and has not been tampered with. In contrast, secure storage, static code analysis, and input validation do not provide the necessary assurance regarding the authenticity of the software, making them inadequate in this context.