[Soerensen]

The WinGUp updater compromise is a textbook example of why update mechanisms are such high-value targets. Attackers get code execution on machines that specifically trust the update channel.

What's concerning is the 6-month window. Supply chain attacks are difficult to detect because the malicious code runs with full user permissions from a "trusted" source. Most endpoint protection isn't designed to flag software from a legitimate publisher's update infrastructure.

For organizations, this argues for staged rollouts and network monitoring for unexpected outbound connections from common applications. For individuals, package managers with cryptographic verification at least add another barrier - though obviously not bulletproof either.

[kijin]

The lack of a well-known, well-designed package manager for Windows has always been a problem. Too many programs, including FOSS programs, are downloaded from suspicious-looking websites with tons of ads, and every app updates itself in a different way.

The crappy installation and update channels are often tightly integrated with the vendors' monetization strategies, so there's a huge amount of inertia.

Microsoft Store could have changed this situation, had it been better designed and better received. Unfortunately, nobody seems to use it unless they have no other choice.

WinGet looks much better, but so far it's only for developers and power users.

[ziml77]

The Microsoft store would have needed proper vetting and support for normal desktop apps from day 1 for it to actually have been a good option. Also, not requiring the system be set up with an online account would have been helpful for adoption.

I can't say it would have guaranteed people would have liked it, just that those were needed for it to have a chance.

[pjc50]

The stupid thing is that a packaging system - MSI and later MSIX - has existed for a long time. But the tooling for it, to put things into packages, is a mess; nor is there a single tool even for Microsoft's own stuff. They really need to get onto dogfooding this stuff.

But then, in an environment dominated by corporate IT who have no real means of switching, why improve the product?

[red_admiral]

> Microsoft Store could have changed this situation

Don't you need to create a Microsoft account to use it? That makes sense for a store where you buy apps with money, but not for a package manager for free software like Notepad++.

P.S. I'm waiting for the day you need a registered Ubuntu account to use their snap store :(

[themafia]

Do you really need the entire walled garden of the store? It's not impervious just harder to attack but due to it's scale and value it will be constantly attacked. Not a great trade.

What happened to just good old OS APIs? You could wrap the entire "secure update" process into a function call. Does Windows somehow not already have this?

[xvilka]

There are always Chocolatey and Scoop.

[3371]

Hey, just wanna remind people Google Play is full of crap.

[kwanbix]

Honest question. Are you telling me this has never happened to Linux? I seem to recall a situation where the source code was compromised. But maybe I am wrong.