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No new developer already has a reputation score. Why should they? Is there something unfair about warning users that uncommonly downloaded software is more like
by shawnz 6y ago
No new developer already has a reputation score. Why should they? Is there something unfair about warning users that uncommonly downloaded software is more likely to contain malware?
If anything, the problem is that even software with an EV certificate should be subject to the warning (like how SmartScreen worked in the past).
- GeekyBear 6y agoThe entire point of Gatekeeper and SmartScreen is to only warn users about unsigned software that could install a trojan horse. If you check to see if the developer's signing certificate has been revoked before running their software, you can be reasonably sure that doing so is safe. Apple's developer program is cheaper than the extended validation code signing certificate you need to develop and sign software use on Windows without running into a block from SmartScreen.
- shawnz 6y agoNo, that might be the point of Gatekeeper but the point of SmartScreen is to warn you when you are running uncommonly downloaded software. You might be right that it is cheaper to buy a guaranteed exception for Gatekeeper than it is to buy a guaranteed exception for SmartScreen though, but I don't think that is relevant when you don't really need an exception for SmartScreen at all.
- GeekyBear 6y agoNo, stopping uncommonly downloaded software from running is Microsoft's way to force new developers to use their app store, since software distributed from there is exempt from that limitation. Apple's developer program is not only cheaper, it allows for functional code signing that completely sidesteps their app store.
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- shawnz 6y agoSmartScreen existed prior to Microsoft's app store though. I am not sure what you mean regarding your point about sidestepping Apple's app store. Code signing can obviously be done on either platform without any app stores.
- GeekyBear 6y agoNo, SmartScreen blocks software that doesn't have a high enough "reputation score" even if it is signed. The only way around that particular restriction is to distribute your app through Microsoft's app store. Gatekeeper has no such caveat.