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How to determine if an installed program is Legit

Anonymous
2020-05-01T15:24:13+00:00

How to check if the software application installed on my PC and/or the application that I want to install is legit? How to verify that it does not pose a security threat?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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  1. Sumit 43,546 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2020-05-01T15:27:54+00:00

    Kunal,

    Usually the executable installers have a trusted certificate which is technically what you are wanting to check. Do you need instructions for the same?

    7 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2020-05-01T15:29:17+00:00

    Hi Kunal,

    This is Wil, one of the independent advisor, an expert with Windows 10 and a fellow Windows 10 user like you. I understand your concern about 3rd party programs.

    To make sure that the application that you will install on your computer is legit and safe, it needs to be downloaded directly from its developer's site or from the Microsoft Store app. May I ask what program are you trying to download or install?

    I hope that you can reply back as quickly as possible so I can help you out further. Have a nice day.

    Thanks,

    Wilfred P.

    Independent Advisor

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2020-05-05T06:50:16+00:00

    Hi Kunal,

    This is Wil, one of the independent advisor, an expert with Windows 10 and a fellow Windows 10 user like you. I understand your concern about 3rd party programs.

    To make sure that the application that you will install on your computer is legit and safe, it needs to be downloaded directly from its developer's site or from the Microsoft Store app. May I ask what program are you trying to download or install?

    I hope that you can reply back as quickly as possible so I can help you out further. Have a nice day.

    Thanks,

    Wilfred P.

    Independent Advisor

    Hi Wil,

    Thanks for the info. Normally, we prefer to download the application from its developer's site. However, my concern is, how to validate that the currently installed application is downloaded from the appropriate source. Also, how to check if it sends out anonymous data or not.

    For example, we use an app called PicPick (https://picpick.app/en/), which is used to capture the screen and then edit/highlight the content. Looking at the website address, we can assume that it is a secure site. However, how to be sure that it does not pose a data security.

    Regards,

    Kunal

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2020-05-05T06:54:26+00:00

    Kunal,

    Usually the executable installers have a trusted certificate which is technically what you are wanting to check. Do you need instructions for the same?

    Hi Sumit,

    Thanks for the info. Could you please provide more info on trusted certificates? I checked the certificate manager and I am unable to find which application is using which certificate.

    Regards,

    Kunal

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-05-01T16:02:24+00:00

    How to check if the software application installed on my PC and/or the application that I want to install is legit? How to verify that it does not pose a security threat?

    Software that you want to install is always legitimate and safe when purchased from the developer's own website or from one of the developer's own authorized resellers.

    If you want to know whether already-installed software is legitimate, contact the developer and provide them with your license key. They will tell you whether it's legitimate.

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