Occasionally, when attempting to run a PC app that you have downloaded from us, you may see a Windows security warning such as “Windows protected your PC” or “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?”

What’s going on?

All of our Windows apps are signed for distribution using a (top trust level) EV (Extended Validation) code-signing certificate provided through DigiCert, a major certificate authority. This allows you to be confident and to verify that the software you are installing actually comes from us. You can check this by clicking “Details,” “Certificate Info,” or similar wording and confirming that the publisher is listed as “Dauntless Aviation LLC.” Should you wish, you can also inspect the certificate chain back to DigiCert.

However, unlike previously, Microsoft Windows no longer automatically suppresses these warnings simply because an app is signed with an EV certificate from a major provider. Occasionally, Windows may still display a warning even for extensively / enhanced verified and signed publishers when an app is new. This is especially likely just after a new version has been released, before that specific build has had time to develop a reputation in Microsoft’s system.

We have been providing aviation apps since 1997. To bring you the latest content and app updates as quickly as possible (and to minimize the updates you'd have to do in-app), we regularly rebuild and redistribute our apps. This helps you get started with your studying promptly, but it also means that a new build may occasionally trigger a Microsoft warning. For relatively popular titles, this usually resolves itself within a few days as the app builds reputation with Microsoft; for less commonly downloaded titles, it may take longer.

If you see a message like this, you may click “More info” and then “Run anyway,” or click “Yes,” depending on the exact warning shown. The choice is yours. You can also review the certificate details before proceeding. If the app was downloaded directly from us and is properly signed by DAUNTLESS AVIATION LLC, then, all else being equal, you can trust that it came from us.

Thank you for your understanding.