How to disable downloaded file security warning?

Question

Level 1

92 points

How to disable downloaded file security warning?

I have a folder on my desktop which contains 800 PHP files (nested in lots of various subfolders). I would like to open all 800 PHP files in TextWrangler at once so I can batch-search them.

If I select them all then drop them on the TextWrangler icon in the dock, the Finder gives me one alert about one of them being downloaded and being a potential security risk, then after I click OK, it opens just that one file in TextWrangler and neglects all the others. I can't figure out any way to batch-open 800 files at once.

I'm a power user, so I'd like to completely disable this, forever. How do I do it? I googled it and found an Applescript that does it, but it doesn't work on 800 files at once, only on a single file.

Mac Pro 8-core (2 x 2.8), Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on Aug 6, 2009 4:39 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 6, 2009 4:53 PM in response to David Das

Try this. Using TextWrangler, save (or edit, if it exists) a file in ~/Library/Preferences called com.apple.DownloadAssessment.plist. It should have the following content:

<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"
"http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>LSRiskCategoryNeutral</key>
<dict>
<key>LSRiskCategoryContentTypes</key>
<array>
<string>public.php-script</string>
</array>
</dict>
</dict>
</plist>

You can add more types in multiple <string> lines as found in the Uniform Type Identifiers list.

You'll need to log out and in again to activate the preference.

Hope that helps.

Matt

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Answer 2

Aug 6, 2009 4:57 PM in response to David Das

You can disable the feature for specific file types using these instructions. Just add <string>public.php-script</string> as one of the file types.

If you want to disable Application Security altogether, you can do it with this set of instructions.

However, I advise against doing this, as application security is one of Leopards biggest security features.

@Matt: woops, sry, i was typing this when you submitted your response.

Message was edited by: macwiz1220

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Answer 3

David Das Author

Level 1

92 points

Aug 7, 2009 7:14 AM in response to Community User

Thank you VERY much for the advice -- disabling it entirely is my preference.

I'm not sure why you would strongly advise against it, being that I get that dialog on a daily basis, and 100% of the time end up clicking past it. It's no form of security if I end up ignoring its advice every time it happens. 🙂

Thanks!

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Answer 4

Aug 7, 2009 5:19 PM in response to David Das

It applies to anything that requires some from of execution, including applications. The features help prevent rogue processes or files from being run on the system.

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Answer 5

ChrisWad

Level 1

5 points

Aug 17, 2009 6:01 AM in response to Matt Clifton

It looks like Matt Clifton's suggestion no longer works on 10.5.8 as I've noticed that OS X is now asking me to confirm all NZB files I download and the 'com.apple.DownloadAssessment.plist' suggestion no seems to have any affect. Anyone got any suggestions or fixes for this?

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Answer 6

Gimped

Level 1

0 points

Aug 17, 2009 8:44 AM in response to ChrisWad

@ChrisWad I am having the exact same issue. NZB files cannot be removed from the "unsafe list". This seems to have happened with either 10.5.8 or the latest Safari patch (don't remember the version number). I have an Automator Workflow that opens all my NZB files at once and this warning has effectively destroyed the ability for that script to work.

I am using Panic Software's Unison to open the NZB files.

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Answer 7

Gimped

Level 1

0 points

Aug 17, 2009 9:38 AM in response to Gimped

I found a temporary fix. I have an automator workflow with the following Actions.

Get Specified Finder Items (~/Downloads)
Get Folder Contents
Filter Finder Items (Extension == nzb)
Set Value of Variable (Variable Name: "Files")
(Ignore Input)
Run Shell Script (xattr -d com.apple.quarantine ~/Downloads/*.nzb)
(Ignore Input)
Get Value of Variable (Variable Name: "Files")
Open Finder Items (Application = Unison)
Pause (3 seconds)
Move Finder Items to Trash

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Answer 8

Gimped

Level 1

0 points

Aug 17, 2009 9:37 AM in response to Gimped

Sorry for spamming.

Further, I set up that workflow as an Application and then I use an app launcher. My process goes as follows.

Download NZB files (1 or more, unlimited)
Launch my workflow

All the NZB files will be loaded into Unison and then moved to the trash.

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Answer 9

ChrisWad

Level 1

5 points

Aug 17, 2009 10:11 AM in response to Gimped

Thanks Gimped for the workflow and I will give it a go, however it would be great to see if we can find a solution like using the plist file as before. I'll keep looking but, if you or anyone else has an idea please share.

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Answer 10

Sep 12, 2009 5:31 PM in response to David Das

Does this alert have anything to do with Javascript Preferences? Does anyone know how to modify the alert from that angle?

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Answer 11

mishas

Level 1

37 points

Sep 13, 2009 7:37 AM in response to Gimped

Gimped: I'm trying to copy your Automator Workflow and I have one hitch...

I have my Run Shell Script command set up with just this in the box and I'm getting an error (Shell is set to /bin/bash and Pass Input to stdin):

xattr -d com.apple.quarantine ~/NZBs/*.nzb

Do I need to put anything before or after that command? Thanks--

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