Unsigned Files! How Important Is This?

It's better to understand why some files are signed and some aren't.

When Windows verifies the publisher of a program, it warrants only two things:

• The program actually came from the named publisher.
• The program was not tampered with since the publisher signed it.

However, though you can trust that a verified program really came from the identified publisher, Windows cannot warrant that the publisher provided a quality program, or that the publisher thoroughly tested the program for safety before he signed it.
Even a verified program could contain a virus.

It costs quite a bit to keep an active code signing certificate, so the smaller companies can't justify the cost of signing.

Just because a program isn’t signed and the publisher cannot be verified, does not mean the program will harm your computer. It just means it isn’t signed.
Here too, your best response is to scan the program for viruses before you use it.

 

Yes I do use virus total on occasions.
It's always a good double check if your AV throws up a file that you may think is a false positive.
Remember though, it'll only check single files... it won't check folders.

 

You're welcome.