As we get ready to launch MondoPlayer, we are doing everything we can to increase our chances of overcoming the “firewall” of natural reluctance customers have to downloading software.
Software Developers face a daunting challenge when they require a customer to download their software. By taking a few easy steps Developers can vastly improve their Software Downloads.
Customers have become very wary of downloading unfamiliar software products. They do not want to become victims of malicious software that may contain viruses, Trojan horses, spyware, adware or other types of malware.
You need to establish yourself as a trusted source so customers will feel comfortable downloading your software. Here are some suggestions on how to improve your credibility with customers.
1. Get a Code Signing Certificate
What is a Code Signing Certificate?
A Code Signing Certificate is a “private key” unique to a software developer. This private key is used to digitally “sign the code”. It is used on .exe (executable) files and scripts to confirm the identity of the software author and to guarantee that the code has not been altered or corrupted since it was signed.
Code Signing Certificates authenicate the source and integrity of code, eliminate “unidentified publisher” warnings and inspire confidence in users by showing them your code is trustworthy.
Where can you get a Code Signing Certificate?
The more well-known and respected Certificate Authorities are as follows:
Comodo
Digicert
GlobalSign
Go Daddy
Symantec
2. Submit your Software to Reputable Download Sites
Many customers will only download software from reputable third party Download Sites. Most of these sites certify that the software is virus and malware free so customers trust these sources.
These sites have easy submission processes or you can use automated tools for submission such as Robosoft.
Some of the most popular Software Download Sites are listed below with links to their submission forms:
Brothersoft
CNET/Download.com
Softpedia
Tucows
3. Report False Positives to Anti-Virus Software Vendors
Anti-virus software can sometimes flag your software as being unsafe. This results in a customer getting a cautionary message that discourages them from downloading your software.
VirusTotal, a Google service, lets you check files and URLS with all the major anti-virus software packages to see if they produce false positives. If you submit your URL or upload your software you will get a report in minutes that will tell you if the file or URL is producing a false positive or is being flagged as malware. This will help you identify which, if any, anti-virus software is giving false positives for your product. If you are getting false positives you can report this to the anti-virus vendor and request that your software be whitelisted.
How to Report a False Positive
Below is a list of Anti-virus software vendors with links to their on-line forms for reporting false positives.
Avast Under Subject Drop Down Menu choose Report False Virus Alert in File or on Website.
Avira Select “False Positive Suspicion”
Bit Defender Enter your URL to test your website for false positives.
Escan This link takes you to instructions on how to report a false positive and submit a sample using their support ticket system.
Fort Knox/Spy Emergency At the bottom of the page there is a Submission Form you can fill out. In the description field say that it is a false positive.
Immunet From the drop down menu choose Submit a False Positive. Fill in the False Positive Report and Upload your File.
Kapersky From the drop down menu select False Alarm on a File. Complete the form and upload your file.
McAfee This link takes you to instructions on how to submit a False Positive to McAfee.
Panda (Use Google to translate page from German to English)
QuickHeal Fill out the Support Ticket. In the Department drop down menu select Submit False Positive.
Spybot In the Subject field make sure you say False Positive.