MaidenNEWYORK wrote:
I have been having an issue with a X partner who is well-versed in software engineering accessing my MacBook through a user. I bought a new MacBook Air and made a new Apple ID email and put nothing from the old MacBook onto the new MacBook and this is what I found. I tried to redact any personal information but that name and email is the ex who was stalking me on my prior computer. However Apple tells me that everything is fine and apps crashing, not having access to my files because I do not have permissions yet I own the Mac and I am the only user ever. The little star that is pointed at with the red arrow takes me to a root certificate for Apple and also Amazon.
In no particular order…
The Amazon Root CA 1 certificate is a normal and expected part of the trust store.
macOS intentionally protects itself against modifications, whether those by users or by malware.
Why apps might be crashing is unclear.
Around here, app crashes can arise from add-on security apps, VPN apps, or such. Or from hardware or maybe configuration issues.
Usual for those with security concerns can include Safety Check and related, maybe Lockdown Mode, maybe Security Keys, reviewing the Apple-generated Security Recommendations for your macOS environment*, and related steps.
Hardening usually doesn’t involve changes to or issues with the trust store, though that trust store—which is part of macOS, and is protected against modifications—is central to encryption, to modern networking, and distributed authentication.
Issues with any sort of civil or criminal activity are best discussed with counsel, or with police if that’s an option.
*System Settings > Passwords (macOS 13, macOS 14); or System Preferences > Passwords (macOS 12); or Safari > Preferences/Settings > Passwords (older macOS)
