Mac developers: Gatekeeper is a concern, but still gives power users control
Apple's next version of its desktop operating system, OS X Mountain Lion , promises developers access to hundreds of new APIs to enable new functionality for their apps. While developers we spoke to seem mildly excited about the new functionality, their immediate focus was on the implications of Apple's new Gatekeeper security feature.
Gatekeeper allows users to tightly control which sources apps can be installed from . By default, Gatekeeper will allow apps from the Mac App Store to be installed, as well as other apps that have been signed using a special certificate given to registered OS X developers. Users can also opt to allow apps from any source—the current default on Lion. The latter would remain an option for "power users" who are confident in the source of their apps even if they are not signed, Apple told Ars.
But regardless of the options, Gatekeeper remains a hot topic of conversation among developers, as noted by Rogue Amoeba's Paul Kafasis. "If Apple uses a light touch, there's little downside here. As long as getting to be an 'identified developer' is not onerous for developers, Gatekeeper should provide more security for users, while not hindering developers in any noticeable way."
How it worksCurrently, any developer who signs up for Apple's Mac Developer Program and pays the $99 per year fee will get a code signing certificate. All apps sold through the Mac App Store require code signing, and these apps have gone through Apple's review process. For apps sold outside the Mac App Store, code signing is purely optional, though the developers we spoke to say many have begun signing their code already, even for apps distributed independently.
(The developers at Panic have a pretty good in-depth explanation of code signing if you're interested in learning more.)
Effectively, what users are choosing from is the installation of only Mac App Store apps, all signed apps, or all apps regardless of signing. At this stage, Gatekeeper provides users with a warning when installing certain apps depending on the settings, which may give users pause before installing apps from untrusted sources. It also gives them a way to verify that apps haven't been modified between a developer releasing the code and the app getting to a user's machine.
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