How to Block Unwanted App or Malware Installation on Mac

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

Blocking Unwanted App or Malware Installation on Mac

Preventing unwanted app or malware installations on your Mac is essential for maintaining your system's security. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to block such installations:

Using macOS Security Features:

Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences."

In the System Preferences window, click on "Security & Privacy."

In the Security & Privacy window, select the "General" tab.

Ensure that the option "App Store and identified developers" is selected. This setting allows your Mac to install apps only from trusted sources.

If you want to take more stringent security measures, you can select the "App Store" option, which restricts app installations to those from the Mac App Store only.

Using Gatekeeper:

Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences."

In the System Preferences window, click on "Security & Privacy."

In the Security & Privacy window, select the "General" tab.

If you're running macOS Catalina or later, you'll find a "Unlock" button in the bottom-left corner. Click it and enter your administrator password.

Below the "Allow apps downloaded from" section, you'll see a message that an app was blocked from opening because it's not from an identified developer. Click "Open Anyway" to allow it.

This allows you to override the Gatekeeper settings for a specific app.

By following these steps, you can enhance the security of your Mac by preventing unwanted app installations and potential malware threats. Make sure to keep your system and software up-to-date and be cautious when downloading and installing applications from the internet.

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