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Re:JDeploy – Deploy desktop Java apps as native bundles on M... by alex_suzuki on Tuesday February 15, 2022 @02:39AM (#30343782)
Interesting project. We build and maintain a significant cross-platform JavaFX app, and use a combination of JLink (to create a smaller executable with bundled JRE), install4j (for the native .app/.exe wrapper) and Packages (macOS)/InnoSetup (Windows) for the installer. The installer has a non-trivial amount of scripting under the hood so being able to customize that is really important, at least for us.

I wonder if you won't run into trouble because of the Mac codesigning/notarization though. I think this poses a significant legal risk to you, as you are now distributing potentially malicious software signed with your certificate. Also I'm pretty certain Apple doesn't like this "code signing as a service" approach.

But hats off, cool project!

Re:JDeploy – Deploy desktop Java apps as native bundles on M... by jdc22 on Tuesday February 15, 2022 @10:40AM (#30347901)
Is the lack of notarization truly an issue? Aside from demonstrating that the creator has a paid subscription to the developer program, what does notarization accomplish that isn't already handled by XProtect (i.e. a YARA scan) and the Malware Removal Tool (MRT)?

Are there any examples anywhere of malware that has slipped through the client-side XProtect pre-flight checks, but that the server-side notarization checks have caught? Most independent macOS security literature I've read implies that notarization and code-signing is more about retaining centralized control of the app distribution process, but does not actually contribute anything to the malware mitigation tools that have been built into macOS for a very long time.

Re:JDeploy – Deploy desktop Java apps as native bundles on M... by alex_suzuki on Tuesday February 15, 2022 @11:20AM (#30348506)
Customers don’t want notarization prompts for their expensive, custom-built software packages… So even if the security benefit is negligible (I agree), if you want to play, you have to play by their rules.
Re:JDeploy – Deploy desktop Java apps as native bundles on M... by shannah78 on Tuesday February 15, 2022 @09:28AM (#30346832)
> But hats off, cool project!

Thanks!