I'm using TurboTax 2023 and the file intuitupdater.exe does not have trusted digital certificates. How do I obtain a valid certificate for this program?

[jdhimelrick]

While updating TT 2023 Desktop on Windows 11 I'm receiving the message from Windows User Access Control that IntuitUpdater.exe is an unknown publisher.  While looking at the digital certificates for the program, they are not trusted.  (Plus, the certs have "test" in the name. Is that teh correct certs?)

[CatinaT1]

See if this helps: Troubleshoot installation and running TurboTax for Windows

If not, please call TurboTax Customer service.  Here is a link:  Turbo Tax Customer Service 

[jdhimelrick]

Hello.  Thank you for your response.  While reviewing the list of actions to try and resolve an invalid certificate for intuitupdater.exe, it mentioned disabling my antivirus program.  Is disabling my anti-virus while installing your package really a suggested recommendation from TurboTax support, during this age in elevated awareness regarding cyber security? I am very uncomfortable with this suggestion.

[jdhimelrick]

Here are screen shots of the untrusted digital certificate for intuiteupdater.exe.  Both SHA1 and SHA256

[CatinaT1]

Were you able to solve your issue? 

If not, please call TurboTax Customer service.  Here is a link:  Turbo Tax Customer Service 

[jdhimelrick]

No, my issue has not been resolved.  I contacted the support team via phone, as suggested.  The technician had me download another installation file, "Windows_PC_TurboTax_Download.exe" from the Intuit download web page.  After reinstalling the Turbo Tax software (for Windows Desktop) the updater executables still have untrusted digital certificates.  Please note, before re-installing the software again, I removed the previous installation of TT, which included removing all the "upgrade" executables in the directory "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\Update Service v5".. This is where the files with the untrusted certificates can be found.  The reinstallation put the files back into this directory and they still have untrusted digital certificates.  Here is a ist of files in that directory:

Directory of C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\Update Service v5

09/14/2023 11:46 PM 33,664 IntuitUpdater.exeMOVE_ON_RESTART
09/14/2023 11:49 PM 22,392 IntuitUpdateConfigV5.exe
09/14/2023 11:46 PM 33,664 IntuitUpdater.exe
09/14/2023 11:46 PM 19,320 IntuitUpdateService.exe

Regards.

[jdhimelrick]

Hi CatinaT1, 

Do you have any idea how I can obtain the files with a valid trusted digital certificate for TT 2023 Desktop for Windows ?

[MarilynG1]

Since we are not techies in this forum, but are Tax Advice Specialists, I will pass on what I have seen from other users:

• Yes, it's OK to disable anti-virus software temporarily to get TurboTax installed
• You need to be working as Administrator for your computer for the installation process 
• Try installing TurboTax on another computer
• I've seen links online for 'TurboTax Installation Issues' that may help, but be careful

If Tech Support gave you a Case Number, you should be able to get back to them for more help.

[jdhimelrick]

Thank you for the response and suggestions on installation.  However, this issue is not related to installing the product, it's related to updating the product after installation.  I contacted the help desk and informed them I have a technical issue with their product, which they confirmed after I shared my screen with the technician.  The technician relayed this information to her back office technical support looking for advice on how I can forward this information to them.  Unfortunately, the technician informed me there is no way I can communicate with technical support for their product, and my best method for gaining help is through this communities forum and offered me a refund for the product.

Please note:  I am trying to help Intuit with a security flaw in their product.

Again, the updater executable, IntuitUpdater.exe, has an untrusted digital certificate.  Here is a snapshot of the invalid certificate:

For a comparison, the executable used to install the product, has a valid digital certificate.  This is what the intuitupdater.exe program should look like.

[DianeW777]

We appreciate your experience.  We would like to get some information from you.

1. details of antivirus installed on your machine,
2. screenshot of the error which is blocking you.

Once we have this information we can proceed with the next steps.

@jdhimelrick 

[jdhimelrick]

Thank you, Diane.

The Anti-Virus I am using is: Norton 360 version 22.23.10.10

Here is a screen shot of the "Warning" I am concerned about.  This warning is issued by Microsoft Windows Security component "User Account Control".  This is a warning that the executable is from an unknown publisher and could be malicious.  If I click "Yes" it will proceed with updating my installation of Turbo Tax.  But, since Microsoft cannot confirm where the program came from, this is a security issue for me.

@DianeW777 

[DianeW777]

No problem.  The program is from 'IntuitUpdater.exe' which is the company that owns TurboTax.  You must update it now and any time you see it because it means there is a update to the TurboTax software. 

The IRS is continually updating various forms throughout the early part of the tax season and you need to have the most up to date changes.

@jdhimelrick 

[jdhimelrick]

I understand, Diane, and yes I agree, it appears that the executable is from Intuit and I understand the need for the program.  However, this is still a valid security concern.  This could be considered a spoofing attempt by a bad actor attempting to inject malware on someone's PC to steal sensitive tax information.  I'm just providing a hypothetical here; without a valid digital certificate associated with the executable how can I be absolutely sure that this program that is updating files on my PC is actually from Intuit, and not a malware infected program designed to steal my sensitive information?   If you could convey this issue to your back-office technical support team or security team I'm sure they would agree.

Regards.

@DianeW777 

[BeverlyBr]

I'm very disappointed that a company that we are entrusting with our sensitive information doesn't seem to know or care about certificate validity. This is a serious security concern. I hope Intuit addresses this ASAP.

I have been using TurboTax for many years. If this issue is not addressed, this will be the last year I use this product. I will go to a local tax professional to get my taxes done instead.

[jks2832]

I am having the same problem, and agree.  Has there been any fixes to this problem, as I do not feel comfortable updating with the unknown publisher warning.  Please advise.