Windows 10: SmartScreen warning on a exe file though it is signed by Digicert EV CS certificate

Hello Team,I have one of my Customer sign their exe file with Digicert's EV CS Extended Validation Code SIgning Certificate a few days ago.However when we either try to download the file through Microsoft Edge or Install it, the Microsoft Defender Smartscreen flag it as "Untrusted and harmful"I have checked the File Properties --> Digital Signatures --> View Certificate --> Details Under Certificate Policy it has the Policy Identifier as "2.23.140.1.3" which corresponds to EV CodeSigning as per https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/security/trusted-root/program-requirements So is th

:)

 

Defender/SmartScreen warning.

I also recall reading that the use of an Extended Validation certificate may improve the reputation more quickly, but since this article is from the initial time of this change in 2012 I'm not certain how much of this is still applicable today.

Along with higher cost, my understanding is that these certificates require a deeper vetting process to confirm a developer are who they claim to be, resulting in the gains discussed in the paragraph below.

Microsoft SmartScreen & Extended Validation (EV) Code Signing Certificates

"Detractors may claim that SmartScreen is “forcing” developers to spend money on

certificates. It should be stressed that EV code signing certificates are not required

to build or maintain reputation with SmartScreen. Files signed with standard code

signing certificates and even unsigned files continue to build reputation as they

have since Application Reputation was introduced in IE9 last year. However, the

presence of an EV code signing certificate is a strong indicator that the file was

signed by an entity that has passed a rigorous validation process and was signed

with hardware which allows our systems to establish reputation for that entity more

quickly than unsigned or non-EV code signed programs."

Rob

 

Why Windows Defender SmartScreen does not show publisher name of a signed executable?

I have purchased a Standard Code Signing certificate from Digicert and I do not understand why my executable, although signed with a certificate from a trusted CA is displayed as Unknown Publisher by Windows Defender SmartScreen.





If I disable "Check applications and files" in "Control applications and browser" of the "Windows Defender Security Center" of Windows 10, my editor name appears correctly in the "Open File - Warning security"





So, I'd really like to understand why the SmartScreen filter in Windows Defender still says Unknown Publisher.

I understand that the SmartScreen filter is based on a reputation system and I do not question the actual display of the warning message (as my Code Signing certificate is not an EV one) but the fact that the name of the publisher is indicated as Unknown Publisher, whereas a valid signature is present.

Any idea about that? I am code signing wrongly the executable?

 

Windows Defender is giving a warning when Installing a validly signed App.

That's the normal message for any new application for several years now, since the app must develop a reputation by receiving a significant number (3,000+ I believe I've read in the past) of accepted downloads before that message can be bypassed even with
a certificate.

As this MSDN article from 2013 indicates in the following paragraphs, only an EV (Extended Validation) certificate will immediately establish reputation due to the more stringent developer validation that these require, as well as their higher cost for that
process of course.

Rob

Windows SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from running. Running this app might put your PC at risk

*P.S. The goal of the Application Reputation experience is to warn users, when appropriate, that a downloaded application has not yet established a reputation.

Reputation is established by SmartScreen® service intelligence algorithms based on how an application is used by Windows and Internet Explorer users. Reputation may be based on the downloaded application or can also be assigned to the publisher based
on digital certificate information. Only Authenticode Certificates issued by a CA that is a member of the

Windows Root Certificate Program can establish reputation. Digital certificates allow data to be aggregated and assigned to a single certificate rather than many individual
programs. Although not required, programs signed by an EV code signing certificate* can immediately establish reputation with
SmartScreen reputation services even if no prior reputation exists for that file or publisher. EV code signing certificates also have a unique identifier which makes it easier to maintain reputation across certificate renewals.

At this time, both
Symantec and

DigiCert are offering EV code signing certificates as described in the blog

Microsoft SmartScreen & Extended Validation (EV) Code Signing Certificates