MiniSign is a user-friendly tool designed to sign files and verify signatures in a straightforward and efficient manner. Developed by Frank Dennis (jedisct1), MiniSign aims to provide a simple yet reliable solution for users who require cryptographic signatures for file authentication and integrity verification.
Here are the key features and aspects of MiniSign:
- Simple and intuitive interface: MiniSign has a minimal command-line interface (CLI) that is easy to use, even for users with limited technical expertise. This tool provides clear and concise commands for signing files and verifying signatures, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
- file signature: With MiniSign, users can generate cryptographic signatures for files using their private keys. The process involves selecting the file to be signed and specifying the location of the private key file. MiniSign creates a compact signature file that can be easily combined with or distributed along with the original file.
- signature check: Minisign allows users to verify the authenticity and integrity of signed files by checking their signature against the corresponding public key. The tool verifies signatures quickly and efficiently, giving users confidence in the validity of their files.
- Security and Cryptography: MiniSign uses strong cryptographic algorithms to ensure the security and integrity of signed files. It uses the Ed25519 digital signature algorithm, which provides a high level of security and resistance to various cryptographic attacks.
- Cross-platform compatibility: MiniSign is designed to be compatible with multiple operating systems, including Linux, macOS, and Windows. This ensures that users can use MiniSign on their preferred platform without facing compatibility issues.
- lightweight and portable: MiniSign is a lightweight and portable tool that does not require installation or dependencies. Users can easily download the MiniSign binary for their operating system and start using it immediately, making it convenient for both individual users and system administrators.
- open source: MiniSign is an open-source project released under the ISC license, meaning its source code is freely available for anyone to inspect, modify, and redistribute. It promotes transparency, collaboration, and community contribution in the development of MiniSign.
minisign command example
1. Create a new keypair at the default location:
2. Sign a file:
# minisign -Sm [path/to/file]
3. Sign a file by adding a trusted (signed) and an untrusted (unsigned) comment to the signature:
# minisign -Sm [path/to/file] -c "[Untrusted comment]" -t "[Trusted comment]"
4. Verify trusted annotations in a file and its signature using the specified public key file:
# minisign -Vm [path/to/file] -p [path/to/publickey.pub]
5. Verify trusted comments in a file and its signature, specifying the public key as a base64 encoded literal:
# minisign -Vm [path/to/file] -P "[public_key_base64]"
Summary
Overall, MiniSign provides a straightforward and reliable solution for signing files and verifying signatures, making it suitable for a variety of use cases, including software distribution, file sharing, and data authentication. Its simplicity, security, and cross-platform compatibility make it a valuable tool for users who need cryptographic signatures for file integrity and authenticity verification.
