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Unsigned Dell drivers
Most of Dell's drivers are digitally signed, but some are not. Doesn't it kinda defeat the purpose of having signed drivers if they aren't going to sign all of them? I'd like some assurance that the drivers are not corrupted or tampered with.
I have an Inspiron 530 with Vista 32-bit. These are the drivers (and bios update) that are not signed for my machine:
*BIOS update version 1.0.18
*Realtek ALC888 HD Audio Release Date: 7/29/2008 Version: 5.10.0.5548, A00
*Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility Release Date: 7/2/2007 Version: 8.3.0.1013, A00
I did try to get drivers from those last two companies. Realtek advises against using their drivers. I'm not sure if I can use a signed driver from Intel's site. http://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/sb/CS-026488.htm I have a G33/ICH9R chipset but I have no clue what I'm supposed to download from here http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProductFamily=Chipsets&ProductLine=Chipset+Software&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Chipset+Software+Installation+Utility
I believe the BIOS update executable can be signed. (Right-click, see Digital Signature tab.)
I know drivers will install without being signed but it is a security precaution. If there is any point in signing some of them, they all should be signed. Many people don't take such precautions and look at the proliferation of malware. Read an expert who claimed that between 17% - 25% of computers are part of a zombie bot net. What do you know about how impossible it would be to compromise Dell's servers, or the file in transit?
Another advantage of signed executable is that a driver may be corrupt but seem to install fine (unless the installer does its own checksum).
Davet50
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Posted February 2nd, 2010 14:00
bios updates would rarely if ever and i suscribe to the latter be certified as they are pre OS installs.
As for whether drivers are signed or not on Dell system there is nothing to worry about.