“Is Not Commonly Downloaded” Warning in Windows 7 and Windows 8
Beginning with Internet Explorer 9, Microsoft introduced “SmartScreen Filter” as a System-wide security measures to prevent malicious applications from being installed. The way they do it is to assume all applications are malicious until they can downloaded sufficient time without incident. Microsoft does not make that information known.
More information about SmartScreen Filter can be found at http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/smartscreen-filter-frequently-asked-questions-ie9
What does it mean when I see a message that says a file isn’t “commonly downloaded”?
When you download a program from the Internet, SmartScreen Filter will check the program against a list of programs that are downloaded by a significant number of other Internet Explorer users and a list of programs that are known to be unsafe. If the program you’re downloading isn’t on either list, SmartScreen Filter will display a warning that the file isn’t “commonly downloaded.” It doesn’t necessarily mean the website is fraudulent or that the program is malware, but you probably shouldn’t download or install the program unless you trust the website and the publisher.
At the same time, they require all applications to be codesigned using a codesigning certificate from a trust authority which we have since 2008. However, recently our codesigning certificate expired and when we applied for a new certificate, there were several additional validation and legal documentations which needed to be submitted and notarized which we were apply to comply. But was stuck at the final stage of verification which was having our business phone number listed on a yellow or white phone directory. As a virtual based small business, our mode of communication with our valued clients such as yourself has always be via email and our phone lines were almost never used in the past thus we decided to discontinue the fixed line telephone service.
Going through the loop was way too complicating, time consuming and costly and most of all, it means delaying issuing much needed updates. So we took the step to apply the codesigning certificate in my personal name. This would clear the necessary hurdle when it comes to getting the codesigning certifcate fast. All we wanted to do is to get our applications out. However, being a new certificate, our “trust” level with Microsoft is reset back to zero. Now if you download any of our applications under Windows 7 or Windows 8, you get the warning that the application “is not commonly downloaded”. Rest assured that any software downloaded from our website was what it is purported to be. Over time, this warning should go away.
Under Windows 7, after you downloaded any of our applications, you will see
Click “Actions” >> “More Options” >> “Run anyway” to begin the installation process.
Under Windows 8,
Click “More info” >> “Run Anyway”.
Alternatively, just use Windows Explorer, navigate to your download folders and run our installers.
This warning should not affect your privacy and does not put you in any danger when running our applications.
We apologized for the inconvenience caused. Do write to us at support@batchimage.com if you require any further clarification.
Edwin Lau
CEO
iRedSoft Technology Inc