Hi,
When installing some programs, the name of publisher appears as unknown, for others it appears as it is.
So, why the publisher name is sometime known and sometimes unknown?
I am wondering if we should distrust a program when its publisher appears as unknown, in the first installation screen?
Thanks
Last edited by sevener; 17 Jul 2011 at 09:52.
Personal opinion only ....
I have had that warning numerous times. I cannot give you an example of such scenario, but I do recall that the warning showed up when I downloaded/installed a well-known program.
If I believe the site/publisher is safe, I would go ahead and install.
Next time it happens, and you are undecided, post back here and tell us the name of the program. One of the Security experts should be able to answer you.
Last edited by t-4-2; 16 Jul 2011 at 21:35.
Hello Sevener,
You might see if this may be what you are getting.
Open File - Security Warning : Unblock File
Hope this helps,
Shawn
Thanks for replies.
Actually, this happens even when the publisher names are known.
For example, when I install Zsoft-Uninstaller, ChrisTV, or VLC player and many others softs (whose publishers are in principal known), the publisher name appears as unknown, as shown in the screen shot given by Brink.
If you try to install VLC player, you will see at the first installation window that the publisher name is unknown!
I am wondering if this is not a financial issue. Some developers may consider that paying just to have his own name don't worth the investment. If this is the reason, I completely agree.
Otherwise, I don't know why the publisher names don't not appear, although the developer's name is known in most of cases.
Ps: This happens with Windows 7 (and I think with other previous windows versions, too)
That's what I was saying ....
" I cannot give you an example of such scenario, but I do recall that the warning showed up when I downloaded/installed a well-known program."
I had Vista for almost 4 years. Yes, that scenario happened in Vista as well.
That also happened in IE8, and IE9 which I am now using.
Yes, I just mentioned some examples.
Although the publishers are known, their names appear as unknown!
Strange, non?
These articles shed some light on the mystery.
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2...eputation.aspx
SmartScreen® Application Reputation
SmartScreen® Application Reputation in IE9 - IEBlog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs
All major software vendors should really register their programs with the likes of Veritas (now owned by Symantec).
This registration allows you to compile your programs with Veritas embedded which in turn links to the Windows Installer.
Once verified the publisher is known and that message won't appear.
This message doesn't mean the program is unsafe but just that it's not been registered with a recognised vendor like Veritas.
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