Serious Discussion What is Smartscreen? (Win8/10)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 178
  • Start date Start date

Do you use it ?

  • Yes

    Votes: 58 87.9%

  • No because...

    Votes: 8 12.1%
  • Total voters
    66
Andy Ful said:
If the file has got EV digital certificate, the SmartScreen assumes that the file is safe. But, I do not know if it means not connecting to Reputation Cloud. I do not have got such files.
Click to expand...
You try that foobar 2000 and see with internet disconnected.
 
HarborFront said:
What's the point of a message if it does not tell the user whether the application is malicious or not?
Click to expand...
What is the point of using the stationary telephone, if sometimes there is no power?
 
HarborFront said:
You try that foobar 2000 and see with internet disconnected.
Click to expand...
I am afraid that Foobar has not got EV certificate. This is a very special (high quality) kind od digital signing.
 
HarborFront said:
So far I have not seen it in action since I'm not using IE and Edge
Click to expand...

Typically the Smartscreen scans for digital signature alongside of reputation result when online, so if no alerts occurred then it passed on the criteria hence ready for execution.

Possible it checks also from current digital publishers if exist in the system.

Spawn said:
@Umbra Does that mean Windows SmartScreen is 100% cloud-based?

View attachment 135741
Click to expand...

Yes by context, the concept of IE/Edge browser is same on Windows OS feature. I've encountered Smartscreen yesterday on my classmate's laptop.

Although it may scan possible from current certificates in the system.

HarborFront said:
I got no alert from Smartscreen in my Windows 10 Pro for the last 2 demo tests with internet disconnected like what @Umbra said
Click to expand...

Basically the Smartscreen already downloaded some temporary cache to checked for results of a file.

A pop-up like 'cannot checked right now' is because of digital signature that may not present in the system.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ink, reboot and Andy Ful
reboot said:
What is the definition of 100% cloud-based?
Click to expand...
I do not think that such definition exists. But, for our discussion, it could mean that SmartScreen cannot check the file without Internet connection with Reputation Cloud.
 
Andy Ful said:
I do not think that such definition exists. But, for our discussion, it could mean that SmartScreen cannot check the file without Internet connection with Reputation Cloud.
Click to expand...

Thanks Andy. I think that is a workable definition for the sake of this thread. :) I must be getting old because some questions just fry my brain. Like trying to answer the question... When does smell become taste?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Andy Ful
Zero Knowledge said:
You can bypass Windows inbuilt filters for using unsigned/blocked apps by opening cmd with admin rights and typing " to start then file location and name and finish by typing " at the end and you will be able to use/install blocked program. Sometimes when Windows blocks unsigned/blocked apps I know are clean I have to use this method to unlock the file.
Click to expand...
I would like to test it. Could you give some examples, please.
 
  • Like
Reactions: reboot
Let's say I downloaded a file with google chrome or an email client, and then I execute it. What file types will trigger smartscreen blocking? Will it block downloaded scripts?

And what happens if I download a zip file with a torrent client?
 
shmu26 said:
Let's say I downloaded a file with google chrome or an email client, and then I execute it. What file types will trigger smartscreen blocking? Will it block downloaded scripts?

And what happens if I download a zip file with a torrent client?
Click to expand...

as i said above , you will know by testing it and tell us your result :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Andy Ful
reboot said:
If one excludes folders and files in Windows Defender what impact if any does that have on SmartScreen?
Click to expand...
No impact on SmartScreen, I think. SmartScreen App Reputation on Run works even with disabled WD. But, the excluded files should open quicker.
 
shmu26 said:
Let's say I downloaded a file with google chrome or an email client, and then I execute it. What file types will trigger smartscreen blocking? Will it block downloaded scripts?

And what happens if I download a zip file with a torrent client?
Click to expand...
@shmu26
I am afraid you missed my post #32 in this thread. Please read it first. I am sure it will help a lot. If you will have some concern, I'm here for you.:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deleted member 178
Andy Ful said:
@shmu26
I am afraid you missed my post #32 in this thread. Please read it first. I am sure it will help a lot. If you will have some concern, I'm here for you.:)
Click to expand...
thanks!
so smartscreen won't work with a torrented file, and even if downloaded by browser, it might or might not work, after a zipped file is unzipped.

and what about a regular, unzipped script file, that is downloaded by a non-microsoft browser?
I don't think you covered that point. Maybe I missed it?
 
shmu26 said:
thanks!
so smartscreen won't work with a torrented file, and even if downloaded by browser, it might or might not work, after a zipped file is unzipped.

and what about a regular, unzipped script file, that is downloaded by a non-microsoft browser?
I don't think you covered that point. Maybe I missed it?
Click to expand...

It does not matter what popular browser is used to download ZIP file. It always gets :
[ZoneTransfer]
ZoneId=3

The problem arises, when the file is uzipped. Windows builtin unzip function, can transfer

[ZoneTransfer]
ZoneId=3

to unzipped files.
 
  • Like
Reactions: shmu26

You may also like...