How Halo Softworks signs Windows software
Halo Softworks Windows installers are digitally signed using Microsoft Azure Artifact Signing. A valid signature confirms that the installer was published by Halo Softworks and has not been modified since it was signed.
Download installers only from www.halosoftworks.com or product download pages linked from this site. Product pages show the expected filename, version, SHA-512 checksum, and release date for the current installer.
Why SmartScreen may warn about a new publisher
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen uses reputation signals associated with downloaded files and software publishers. New publishers may not yet have enough download history for Windows to recognize their software immediately.
A SmartScreen message saying an app is unrecognized is different from a malware detection. You should still verify the publisher and signature before continuing.
Halo Softworks does not recommend disabling SmartScreen. Instead, verify that:
- The installer came from
halosoftworks.com - The publisher is shown as Halo Softworks
- The digital signature is valid
- The SHA-512 checksum matches the value on the download page
How to verify the publisher and digital signature
Option A: Windows Explorer
- Right-click the downloaded installer.
- Select Properties.
- Open the Digital Signatures tab.
- Select the Halo Softworks signature.
- Choose Details.
- Confirm that Windows reports that the digital signature is valid.
Option B: PowerShell
Get-AuthenticodeSignature .\YourInstaller.exe | Format-List *Expected result:
Status: Valid- Signer certificate subject or publisher: Halo Softworks
How to verify a SHA-512 checksum
Each product download page lists the SHA-512 digest published with the release channel manifest for that installer. In PowerShell:
Get-FileHash .\YourInstaller.exe -Algorithm SHA512
Compare the Hash value with the checksum shown on the
Aura Wire or
Aura Terran download page
(case-insensitive).
What the Aura Wire Windows installer changes
It is a per-user install of the desktop command center, a local Host, and the wire
CLI. It does not install a certificate, a driver, or a Windows service, and it does not change
any editor’s proxy settings. The only Windows prompt you should see is SmartScreen for a newer
publisher, covered above. See the setup guide for details.
What Halo Softworks does not recommend
- Do not disable Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to install software.
- Do not run an installer if the publisher is not Halo Softworks.
- Do not run an installer with an invalid or missing digital signature.
- Do not trust downloads from URLs outside Halo Softworks–controlled domains.
Report a suspicious or damaged download
Do not run the installer if the publisher is not Halo Softworks, the signature is invalid, or the checksum does not match. Contact Halo Softworks support and include the product name, filename, and the exact Windows message you received.
Contact support or email contact@halosoftworks.com.
FAQ
Why does Windows say the app is unrecognized?
Halo Softworks is a new software publisher, so Microsoft Defender SmartScreen may not yet have enough reputation data for every installer or release. Installers are digitally signed. Confirm that the publisher is Halo Softworks and that the digital signature is valid before continuing.
Is the installer digitally signed?
Yes. Halo Softworks signs Windows installers using Microsoft Azure Artifact Signing. You can verify the signature from the file’s Properties dialog under Digital Signatures.
Should I disable SmartScreen?
No. Halo Softworks does not recommend disabling SmartScreen. Verify the publisher, digital signature, download domain, and SHA-512 checksum instead.
Does Aura Wire ask for administrator rights or install a certificate?
No. The VS Code extension installs from a .vsix without elevation, and the Windows installer
is a per-user install of the desktop command center and wire CLI. Neither installs a
certificate, a driver, or a Windows service.
What should I do if the publisher is not Halo Softworks?
Do not run the installer. Delete it and download a fresh copy directly from the Halo Softworks website. Contact support if the problem continues.