6 ms·

Is there anything to indicate this is a trustworthy application? This is a closed-source binary, which has carte blanche access once you click "Yes" on the UAC

Is there anything to indicate this is a trustworthy application? This is a closed-source binary, which has carte blanche access once you click "Yes" on the UAC prompt.

Tozen 3y ago
Such a tool not being open source and from unknown parties, says a lot by itself.
- veave 3y ago
  What does it say exactly? Is it not possible to release closed source freeware anymore without being scrutinised for no reason?
  - scott-smith_us 3y ago
    It's possible, but would you really be surprised if you installed it and later discovered it contained spyware/malware? I would be surprised if I got something from a well-known, reputable company that turned out to be malware. Something from an Internet rando? Not so much.
    - sharts 3y ago
      I mean if you’re already running windows, you’re probably OK with spyware/malware.
      - sixothree 3y ago
        Replace Windows with the words “popular operating system” otherwise you’re not making claims with any good faith.
  - andromaton 3y ago
    For increased safety, I've settled on using software that is open source, has a paid version, or is from one of the usual suspects.
  - firecall 3y ago
    It's not 'no reason' :-) They are being scrutinised for a reason. And that reason is the in the very nature of the software. What it does, and what it wants access to on the system and so on.
  - LorenDB 3y ago
    Basically, yes. I think we've all come to expect freeware to also be free (libre) software. I certainly am in favor of free software as well, but I think that we assume at this point that if you aren't making money from it and you aren't releasing the code, you have something to hide. However, the interesting thing is that back in the day, shareware was often closed source unless you paid to register it, in which case you got access to the code (depending on the publisher, obviously).
    - Dalewyn 3y ago
      >I think that we assume at this point that if you aren't making money from it and you aren't releasing the code, you have something to hide. I only see this attitude within open source circles (eg: this place). Most people couldn't care less, for better or worse.
      - LorenDB 3y ago
        Well, by we I did mean HN people.
    - guestbest 3y ago
      I don’t recall any shareware back then having open source access to the dos,windows programs just floppy disk shared binaries. The reality was before the always on internet and broadband speeds, malware was very rare, but viruses were ubiquitous on shared floppies but more of nuisance. Floppies with shareware by named distributors we’re unlikely to have virus unlike online boards or floppies handed around student to student back in the day.
      - LorenDB 3y ago
        I just got done reading a book called "Shareware Heroes" that mentioned various shareware apps providing source code to users who registered. The free versions never had source provided; the source was advertised as a perk for paid users. It's different than what we expect today, but honestly not the worst business model out there.
  - sph 3y ago
    Until it becomes popular, it is sold to Avast, and becomes spyware. Such is the circle of life for system utilities in Windows land.
not_a_shill 3y ago
What kind of answer would satisfy you?
- CamperBob2 3y ago
  "Here's the source."
  - Dalewyn 3y ago
    "Not gonna audit it myself, though. I'm sure everyone else has gone through it." -Open source enthusiast, probably.
    - samplatt 3y ago
      This is true for most home users, sure. But if the tool is useful then it has a use in many industries with Windows systems, so someone can be paid to review the source.
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]

Is there anything to indicate this is a trustworthy application? This is a closed-source binary, which has carte blanche access once you click "Yes" on the UAC prompt.

Tozen 3y ago

Such a tool not being open source and from unknown parties, says a lot by itself.

veave 3y ago
What does it say exactly? Is it not possible to release closed source freeware anymore without being scrutinised for no reason?
- scott-smith_us 3y ago
  It's possible, but would you really be surprised if you installed it and later discovered it contained spyware/malware? I would be surprised if I got something from a well-known, reputable company that turned out to be malware. Something from an Internet rando? Not so much.
  - sharts 3y ago
    I mean if you’re already running windows, you’re probably OK with spyware/malware.
    - sixothree 3y ago
      Replace Windows with the words “popular operating system” otherwise you’re not making claims with any good faith.
- andromaton 3y ago
  For increased safety, I've settled on using software that is open source, has a paid version, or is from one of the usual suspects.
- firecall 3y ago
  It's not 'no reason' :-) They are being scrutinised for a reason. And that reason is the in the very nature of the software. What it does, and what it wants access to on the system and so on.
- LorenDB 3y ago
  Basically, yes. I think we've all come to expect freeware to also be free (libre) software. I certainly am in favor of free software as well, but I think that we assume at this point that if you aren't making money from it and you aren't releasing the code, you have something to hide. However, the interesting thing is that back in the day, shareware was often closed source unless you paid to register it, in which case you got access to the code (depending on the publisher, obviously).
  - Dalewyn 3y ago
    >I think that we assume at this point that if you aren't making money from it and you aren't releasing the code, you have something to hide. I only see this attitude within open source circles (eg: this place). Most people couldn't care less, for better or worse.
    - LorenDB 3y ago
      Well, by we I did mean HN people.
  - guestbest 3y ago
    I don’t recall any shareware back then having open source access to the dos,windows programs just floppy disk shared binaries. The reality was before the always on internet and broadband speeds, malware was very rare, but viruses were ubiquitous on shared floppies but more of nuisance. Floppies with shareware by named distributors we’re unlikely to have virus unlike online boards or floppies handed around student to student back in the day.
    - LorenDB 3y ago
      I just got done reading a book called "Shareware Heroes" that mentioned various shareware apps providing source code to users who registered. The free versions never had source provided; the source was advertised as a perk for paid users. It's different than what we expect today, but honestly not the worst business model out there.
- sph 3y ago
  Until it becomes popular, it is sold to Avast, and becomes spyware. Such is the circle of life for system utilities in Windows land.

not_a_shill 3y ago

What kind of answer would satisfy you?

CamperBob2 3y ago
"Here's the source."
- Dalewyn 3y ago
  "Not gonna audit it myself, though. I'm sure everyone else has gone through it." -Open source enthusiast, probably.
  - samplatt 3y ago
    This is true for most home users, sure. But if the tool is useful then it has a use in many industries with Windows systems, so someone can be paid to review the source.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]