Java Security Certificates Explained: SSL/TLS and Code Signing Certificates in 2025

Learn about the two separate use cases of “Java X509 certificates” — what they are, what they do, and what you need to understand before buying one

As a technology professional, we know you’re busy figuring out new ways to improve what you do and to make things more secure. A “Java security certificate” can help you do just that — but choosing the right type of Java X509certificate can be tricky. This is because people use this generic term to describe two separate types of X.509 digital certificates that have two distinct use cases:

1. A Java SSL/TLS certificate that secures Java-based web servers or apps, and
2. A Java code signing certificate that digitally signs Java .jar files, applications, and applets.

Here’s what to know about Java security certificates and their two distinct purposes and use cases.

1. Java X509 SSL/TLS Certificate for Java Web Servers and Applications

That’s right — one type of Java security certificate is the equivalent of a website’s traditional web server certificate.  Essentially, a Java SSL/TLS Certificate is a fancy way of referring to a digital certificate that’s installed on Java-based servers. It enables HTTP secure (HTTPS) communications to protect data in transit.

Java HTTPS Connections Rely on Java TrustStores and Keystores

These secure communications take place using certificates and keys that are stored in a truststore and/or a keystore.

• A Java TrustStore maintains a list of external (third-party) trust chain certificates (located at $JAVA_HOME/lib/security for Java versions 8 or later). This must be set up to reference only the public key.
• A Java Keystore is used to securely store your Java SSL/TLS certificates and cryptographic keys. You choose the location (although this is typically set in your home directory) and you specify the password to keep it secure. It must be set to reference the public and private keys.

What a Java SSL/TLS Security Certificate Does

Its job is to help you establish secure, encrypted connections between users’ web clients and your Java web or application server. It does this by:

• Securing your data against unauthorized access and theft using strong cryptographic encryption
• Using verified digital identity to offer assurance to clients that they’re connecting to your legitimate server
• Protecting the integrity of your data in transit to thwart data manipulation

SSL/TLS Java Security Certificates Come in Three Varieties

Much like Neapolitan ice cream, Java security certificates for your web server come in three “flavors” of validation:

• Domain validation: This certificate provides basic validation, an automated process that checks whether the requestor controls the domain in question.
• Organizational validation: This certificate requires a higher level of validation that goes beyond simply verifying domain control and involves basic business validation.  
• Extended validation: This is the highest level of validation, requiring a more extensive validation process of the requestor’s organization to ensure it’s legitimate.

Where to Buy a Security Certificate for Your Java Application Server

Good news: You can buy a Java SSL/TLS certificate for your web or application server at ComodoSSLstore.com at our everyday discounted prices. However, you can use one of our code signing and SSL/TLS certificate coupon codes to get up to an extra 14% off your purchase.  

If you find a better price elsewhere, tell us and we’ll beat it with our Price Match Guarantee.

How to Install a Java SSL/TLS Certificate

The process of installing a Java security certificate varies from one platform to the next. But you don’t need to worry, as we have detailed SSL installation guides for all the popular web servers. 

2. Java Security Certificate for Securing Your .Jar Files and Java Applets

This brings us to our second meaning of the term “Java security certificate.” A Java Code Signing Certificate is a digital certificate that allows developers to attach their digital signatures to Java software applications and applets using Jarsigner.

• It allows you to display your name (as an individual developer) or your organization’s name upfront in the software download prompt.
• Signing your software enables operating systems, browsers, and other clients to trust the app or applet is legitimate and comes from a trusted source.

What a Java Code Signing Certificate Does to Boost App Security

Applying a digital signature to your Java software or applet means you’re using a cryptographic function (called hashing) to protect its integrity. This is done by creating a checksum of sorts (i.e., a hash value) that lets clients know that the software app has been changed.

When a user’s device or client checks the Java security certificate and its conveyed public key, it will:

• generate a cryptographic hash value
• check the generated value against the provided checksum that you embedded into the digital signature
• verify the hash value matches — if it doesn’t, it’ll know the software has been altered since it was signed  

To learn more, check out our article on how to sign code using a Java Code Signing Certificate.

Java Code Signing Certificates Come in Two Varieties

When buying a Java Code Signing Certificate, you must choose whether to get a standard organization validation (OV) code signing certificate or an extended validation (EV) code signing certificate. The higher validation certificates (EV) are great for developers who create drivers for the Windows Hardware Developer Program (which requires an EV code signing certificate). Otherwise, a standard code signing certificate will typically suit most purposes.

In February 2024, Microsoft announced it would no longer recognize or accept EV code signing certificates. This essentially downgraded them to having the same status and capabilities as standard (OV) code signing certificates. The certificates would no longer be automatically trusted by Windows operating systems and Microsoft’s Edge browser.

Where to Buy a Java Code Signing Certificate for Your Java Apps and Applets

ComodoSSLstore.com offers some of the industry’s best prices on Comodo Java Code Signing Certificates. In addition to our already low everyday discounted prices, we offer X.509 certificate coupons that give you up to an extra 14% off on your SSL/TLS and code signing certificate purchases.

If you find a better deal elsewhere, let us know so we can match it with our Price Match Guarantee.

Ready to Get a Java Security Certificate for Code Signing?

As of 2023, industry standards require all code signing certificates’ keys to be generated and stored on FIPS 140-2 Level 2 (minimum) -compliant hardware. This includes secure USB tokens (default delivery method) and on-prem or cloud-based hardware security modules (HSMs) such as Google Cloud Key Management System (Google Cloud KMS).

When purchasing a code signing certificate from ComodoSSLstore.com, you’ll need to select your delivery method: