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SecurityAgent using 70-100% of CPU

A process called 'SecurityAgent' is using up a ton of CPU since I upgraded to Catalina. I also upgraded all the apps I use from Adobe Suite, and Microsoft Office.


As a result, my MacBook Pro is constantly running hot and I've had issues with shutting down too. It has frozen a couple of times.


It does this whilst running no apps or Time Machine backup so I don't know what it's trying to do.


Does anybody have any recommendations?



(Other than buying a new mac).


Thanks

Will






MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 2, 2020 9:37 AM

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Posted on Apr 2, 2020 9:44 AM

Does this occur for a different user, e.g., Guest? How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac.


Does this occur after starting up in Safe Mode?


Consider the possibility of a third party software conflict.  EtreCheck can be used to investigate what is installed.

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Apr 2, 2020 9:44 AM in response to MrMonoboy

Does this occur for a different user, e.g., Guest? How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac.


Does this occur after starting up in Safe Mode?


Consider the possibility of a third party software conflict.  EtreCheck can be used to investigate what is installed.

Reply

May 12, 2020 8:01 AM in response to CT

Well, that was enlightening. Adobe leaves a ton of stuff strewn about your Library folder. I still have Abode Flash lurking in places as well.


I've dealt with the major issues already, but it does pick up a few app crashes. Including my ‘SecurityAgent‘ friend for high CPU use. I've attached the report for reference.


I have a couple of unassigned files, along with some suspicious looking browser plugins (deleted), a raft of 32-bit apps and an out of date kernel extension. Other than that, it looks pretty healthy.


I just need some advice on how to deal with those four app crashes. I don’t want to delete anything just in case.


I was going to update my system to 10.15.4, I’m not sure if that will help?


Thanks again

Will

EtreCheck version: 5.5.5 (5111) Report generated: 2020-05-12 15:08:21 Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com Runtime: 2:46 Performance: Excellent Sandbox: Enabled Full drive access: Enabled Problem: Other problem Description: SecurityAgent and Installer Progress processes are using excessive amo unts of CPU. Major Issues: Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention. Automatic updates disabled - Automatic updates are disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection. Security updates disabled - Security updates are disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection. Apple security disabled - Apple security software is disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection. Minor Issues: These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems or opportunities for improvement. Apps crashing - There have been numerous app crashes. Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. Apple has said that unsigned software will not run by default in a future version of the operating system. 32-bit Apps - This machine has 32-bits apps will not work on macOS 10.15 "Catalina". Kernel extensions present - This machine has kernel extensions that may not work in the future. Sharing enabled - This machine has sharing services enabled that could be a security risk. Hardware Information: MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014) MacBook Pro Model: MacBookPro11,1 3 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7 (i7-4578U) CPU: 2-core 16 RAM - Not upgradeable BANK 0/DIMM0 - 8 GB DDR3 1600 BANK 1/DIMM0 - 8 GB DDR3 1600 Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 59 Video Information: Intel Iris - VRAM: 1536 MB Color LCD (built-in) 2560 x 1600 DELL U2715H 2560 x 1440 Drives: disk0 - APPLE SSD SM0512F 500.28 GB (Solid State - TRIM: Yes) Internal PCI 5.0 GT/s x2 Serial ATA disk0s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB disk0s2 [APFS Container] 500.07 GB disk1 [APFS Virtual drive] 500.07 GB (Shared by 5 volumes) disk1s1 - M************ Data (APFS) [APFS Virtual drive] (Shared - 289.38 GB used) disk1s2 - Preboot (APFS) [APFS Preboot] (Shared) disk1s3 - Recovery (APFS) [Recovery] (Shared) disk1s4 - VM (APFS) [APFS VM] (Shared - 1.07 GB used) disk1s5 - Macintosh HD (APFS) (Shared - 10.82 GB used) disk2 - Seagate BUP Ultra Touch 2.00 TB External USB 5 Gbit/s USB disk2s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB disk2s2 [Core Storage Container] 2.00 TB disk3 - B****t (Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted)) 2.00 TB (537.07 GB used) disk2s3 - Boot OS X (Journaled HFS+) 134 MB Mounted Volumes: disk1s1 - M************ Data [APFS Virtual drive] 500.07 GB (Shared - 289.38 GB used, 209.80 GB available, 198.03 GB free) APFS Mount point: /System/Volumes/Data Encrypted disk1s4 - VM [APFS VM] 500.07 GB (Shared - 1.07 GB used, 198.03 GB free) APFS Mount point: /private/var/vm disk1s5 - Macintosh HD 500.07 GB (Shared - 10.82 GB used, 209.80 GB available, 198.03 GB free) APFS Mount point: / Encrypted Read-only: Yes disk3 - B****t 2.00 TB (537.07 GB used, 1.46 TB free) Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled, Encrypted) Mount point: /Volumes/B****t Encrypted Network: Interface en4: Thunderbolt Ethernet Interface en0: Wi-Fi Interface en3: Bluetooth PAN File sharing: Enabled System Software: macOS Catalina 10.15.3 (19D76) Time since boot: About 4 hours Notifications: Creative Cloud.app one notification EtreCheck.app one notification Airmail 3.app 18 notifications Security: System Status Gatekeeper: Enabled System Integrity Protection: Enabled Automatic Updates: Disabled Security Updates: Disabled Antivirus software: None! File sharing: Enabled Unsigned Files: Launchd: /Library/LaunchDaemons/jp.co.canon.MasterInstaller.plist Executable: /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/jp.co.canon.MasterInstaller Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK Launchd: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.skype.skype.shareagent.plist Executable: /Applications/Skype.app/Contents/Library/LaunchServices/com.skype.skype.shareagent.bundle/Contents/MacOS/com.skype.skype.shareagent Details: Exact match found in the whitelist - probably OK Running app: /Library/DropboxHelperTools/Dropbox_u501/dbkextd Details: Executable file is not accessible without Full Drive Access Plugin: ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/bjninstallplugin_2.90.553.5.plugin Plugin: ~/Library/Internet Plug-Ins/bjnplugin_2.90.553.5.plugin 32-bit Applications: 28 32-bit apps Kernel Extensions: /Library/Extensions Dropbox.kext (1.11.0 - SDK 10.14) SeagateDiskService.kext (21.0 - SDK 10.10) System Launch Agents: [Not Loaded] 16 Apple tasks [Loaded] 163 Apple tasks [Running] 132 Apple tasks System Launch Daemons: [Not Loaded] 33 Apple tasks [Loaded] 173 Apple tasks [Running] 129 Apple tasks [Other] One Apple task Launch Agents: [Not Loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2019-08-05) [Other] com.adobe.ARMDCHelper.cc24aef4a1b90ed56a725c38014c95072f92651fb65e1bf9c8e43c37a23d420d.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-05-07) [Other] com.adobe.AdobeCreativeCloud.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-03-24) [Running] com.adobe.GC.AGM.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-04-22) [Not Loaded] com.adobe.GC.Invoker-1.0.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-04-22) [Other] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (Google, Inc. - installed 2020-03-12) [Loaded] com.google.keystone.xpcservice.plist (Google, Inc. - installed 2020-03-12) [Loaded] com.microsoft.OneDriveStandaloneUpdater.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2020-04-09) [Loaded] com.microsoft.update.agent.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2020-03-30) Launch Daemons: [Loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-04-21) [Loaded] com.adobe.ARMDC.SMJobBlessHelper.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-04-21) [Running] com.adobe.acc.installer.v2.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-03-24) [Loaded] com.adobe.agsservice.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-04-22) [Loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-04-24) [Loaded] com.apple.installer.osmessagetracing.plist (Apple - installed 2019-08-21) [Loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist (Google, Inc. - installed 2020-03-12) [Running] com.microsoft.OneDriveStandaloneUpdaterDaemon.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2020-04-09) [Loaded] com.microsoft.OneDriveUpdaterDaemon.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2018-08-03) [Loaded] com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2020-03-30) [Loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensingV2.helper.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2018-07-10) [Loaded] jp.co.canon.MasterInstaller.plist (? d0637166 - installed 2018-07-05) User Launch Agents: [Loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2019-08-05) [Loaded] com.adobe.GC.Invoker-1.0.plist (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-04-22) [Loaded] com.adobe.ccxprocess.plist (Apple - installed 2020-04-21) [Loaded] com.dropbox.DropboxMacUpdate.agent.plist (Dropbox, Inc. - installed 2019-08-22) [Not Loaded] com.microsoft.OneDriveMigrationLauncher.plist (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2020-04-09) [Running] com.seagate.toolkit.plist (Seagate Technologies LLC - installed 2020-04-03) [Loaded] com.skype.skype.shareagent.plist (? 0 - installed 2017-11-29) User Login Items: [Running] 1Password Extension Helper (AgileBits Inc. - installed 2020-05-06) Modern Login Item /Applications/1Password 7.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/1Password Extension Helper.app [Loaded] 1Password Launcher (AgileBits Inc. - installed 2020-05-06) Modern Login Item /Applications/1Password 7.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/1Password Launcher.app [Running] AdobeResourceSynchronizer (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-03-19) Application /Applications/Adobe Acrobat DC/Adobe Acrobat.app/Contents/Helpers/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app [Not Loaded] CIJSUAgent (Canon Inc. - installed 2018-07-05) Modern Login Item /Applications/Canon Utilities/IJ Scan Utility/Canon IJ Scan Utility2.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/CIJSUAgent.app [Running] Dropbox (Dropbox, Inc. - installed 2020-04-30) Application /Applications/Dropbox.app [Not Loaded] Evernote Helper (App Store - installed 2020-01-06) Modern Login Item /Applications/Evernote.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/EvernoteHelper.app [Not Loaded] EvernoteLauncher (App Store - installed 2020-01-06) Modern Login Item /Applications/Evernote.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/EvernoteLauncher.app [Running] OneDrive (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2020-04-09) Application /Applications/OneDrive.app [Not Loaded] Launcher Disabler (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2020-04-09) Modern Login Item /Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/Launcher Disabler.app [Not Loaded] OneDrive Launcher (Microsoft Corporation - installed 2020-04-09) Modern Login Item /Applications/OneDrive.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/OneDrive Launcher.app [Not Loaded] StartUpHelper (Spotify - installed 2020-03-02) Modern Login Item /Applications/Spotify.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/StartUpHelper.app [Running] Creative Cloud (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-03-24) Application /Applications/Utilities/Adobe Creative Cloud/ACC/Creative Cloud.app [Not Loaded] PhotoStreamAgent (App Store - installed 2038-01-19) Modern Login Item /Applications/iPhoto.app/Contents/Library/LoginItems/PhotoStreamAgent.app [Running] Reminders (Apple - installed 2020-01-23) Application /System/Applications/Reminders.app Internet Plug-ins: AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: 17.012.20098 (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-03-19) FlashPlayer-10.6: 32.0.0.371 (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-05-12) AdobePDFViewer: 20.006.20042 (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-03-19) Flash Player: 32.0.0.371 (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-05-12) AdobeAAMDetect: 3.0.0.0 (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-03-24) Safari Extensions: 1Password (AgileBits Inc. - installed 2020-05-06) 3rd Party Preference Panes: Flash Player (Adobe Systems, Inc. - installed 2020-04-24) Time Machine: Skip System Files: No Mobile backups: Yes Auto backup: Yes Volumes being backed up: Destinations: B****t [Local] (Last used) Total size: 2.00 TB Total number of backups: 39 Oldest backup: 2019-12-03 11:58:45 Last backup: 2020-05-12 14:38:39 9 local snapshots Oldest local snapshot: 2020-05-11 14:45:02 Last local snapshot: 2020-05-12 14:37:52 Performance: System Load: 2.21 (1 min ago) 2.25 (5 min ago) 2.15 (15 min ago) Nominal I/O speed: 1.55 MB/s File system: 37.42 seconds Write speed: 683 MB/s Read speed: 772 MB/s CPU Usage Snapshot: Type Overall System: 3 % User: 10 % Idle: 86 % Top Processes Snapshot by CPU: Process (count) CPU (Source - Location) Other processes 39.07 % (?) EtreCheck 6.23 % (App Store) Activity Monitor 6.18 % (Apple) Brave Browser 2.78 % (Brave Software, Inc.) Core Sync 0.22 % (Adobe Systems, Inc.) Top Processes Snapshot by Memory: Process (count) RAM usage (Source - Location) EtreCheck 548 MB (App Store) Dropbox 452 MB (Dropbox, Inc.) Brave Browser 316 MB (Brave Software, Inc.) Airmail 228 MB (App Store) Finder 130 MB (Apple) Top Processes Snapshot by Network Use: Process (count) Input / Output (Source - Location) Other processes 870 KB / 154 KB (?) Dropbox 453 KB / 411 KB (Dropbox, Inc.) Airmail 146 KB / 26 KB (App Store) OneDrive 13 KB / 3 KB (Microsoft Corporation) routined 0 B / 0 B (Apple) Virtual Memory Information: Physical RAM: 16 GB Free RAM: 1.16 GB Used RAM: 9.63 GB Cached files: 5.20 GB Available RAM: 6.37 GB Swap Used: 0 B Software Installs (past 30 days): Install Date Name (Version) 2020-04-16 Airmail (4.0.7) 2020-04-16 Numbers (10.0) 2020-04-16 Pages (10.0) 2020-04-16 Keynote (10.0) 2020-04-16 iMovie (10.1.14) 2020-04-16 GarageBand (10.3.2) 2020-05-07 ARMDC Agent Installer (1.0.0) 2020-05-12 Adobe Flash Player (32.0.0.371) 2020-05-12 EtreCheck (5.5.5) Diagnostics Information (past 7-30 days): 2020-05-12 10:37:57 WindowServer Crash (5 times) Executable: /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/SkyLight.framework/Versions/A/Resources/WindowServer Details: StartTime:2020-05-12 10:36:38 GPU:IG MetalDevice for accelerator(0x4d33): 0x7fef87423818 (MTLDevice: 0x1033 bc000) IOService:/AppleACPIPlatformExpert/PCI0@0/AppleACPIPCI/IGPU@2/AppleInt elFramebuffer@0 2020-05-11 12:06:18 Evernote.app Crash (11 times) Executable: /Applications/Evernote.app Details: abort() called 2020-05-11 09:51:02 SecurityAgent High CPU Use Executable: /System/Library/Frameworks/Security.framework/Versions/A/MachServices/SecurityAgent.bundle/Contents/MacOS/SecurityAgent 2020-05-07 09:12:44 locationd Crash Executable: /usr/libexec/locationd Details: dyld3 mode End of report


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May 1, 2020 4:53 AM in response to MrMonoboy

I tried a PRAM reset and booting up in safe mode. That got get rid of it.


But I now have a new issue on startup. A process called 'Installer Progress' is taking up 98% of my CPU and time. My MacBook sounds like an Airbus A320 and it's hot to the touch.


No apps running, no devices attached. I removed my external monitor and external HD to test.


It appears to be _root process and part of the system library. I'm worried that this might be a significant problem.


If i force quit it, my mac runs as normal. Does that sound familiar to anyone?



Thanks again.

Will


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Apr 3, 2020 3:47 AM in response to CT

Thanks for the reply CT.


Thankfully, it hasn't replicated today after a shutdown and re-boot this morning. Whatever it was has resolved itself.


I'm guessing it has something to do with some sort of background authentication issue with the software I'm using.


If it happens again, I'll try a Guest account and Safe Mode.


Best

Will

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May 12, 2020 2:56 AM in response to MrMonoboy

The ‘SecurityAgent’ issue has crept up again. The process just seems to hang and use up all of my CPU until I force quit. In addition to the ‘Installer Progress’ process. I followed the suggested steps but couldn't replicate the issue. It seems to be periodic on startup. Some days it's fine.


I tried leaving it to run, but my machine becomes seriously hot and unusable.


I uninstalled my Google Backup and Sync app as that was also a massive resource hog but the problem persists. (I thought it might be connected to that).


I can force quit them and carry on, but I'm guessing there is an underlying issue with my OS.


I'm a freelance graphic designer, my livelihood is reliant on this computer and I can't afford to replace it or have any down time at the moment. My concern is, it'll just give up the ghost on me one day. Leaving me entirely screwed.


So if anybody has the time to reply, it would be much appreciated.


Thanks

Will





Reply

May 12, 2020 6:36 AM in response to CT

Hi CT,


That's the only thing I didn't do as I'm a little wary of using unverified third-party software. Possibly judging a book by its cover but it looks like it could cause more damage than good. Especially in my hands.


But I might have to give it a go.


Thanks

Will

Reply

May 12, 2020 8:56 AM in response to MrMonoboy

Have you tried starting up in Safe Mode and seeing if your problem persists? This disables a lot of third-party stuff so you can localize the cause that way.


You might consider uninstalling Dropbox and see if that makes any difference. From what I've read here, from time to time that software has been incompatible with the current OS and caused problems.

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SecurityAgent using 70-100% of CPU

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