Where can I see the history of recently installed applications?

The reason I'm asking is that I recently fell for a facebook scam, where my facebook account was hacked. Then my computer started acting funny, and software update said I needed to restart my computer in order to install some new program. I never did, but a day later I restarted and at startup it asked if I wanted to allow some program to communicate with something. How can i see if any funny programs were installed recently on my comptuer? I already ran an antivirus check and it didn't find anything.

Posted on Apr 20, 2011 3:43 PM

Reply
11 replies

Aug 12, 2017 8:55 PM in response to domihode

I realize this is an old post, but here is an update. To find this information in macOS Sierra, hold down the option key, and click the little apple in the menu bar, and "System Information," formaly known as "System Profiler" in previous Mac OS versions, will show. Open System Information, and in the left column under "Software" find "Installations", and open it. Inside you will find some information concerning previous installations.

Apr 20, 2011 3:50 PM in response to domihode

I'm not sure that there is any such history. If there is, I've never heard of it.


It's hard to help with such non-specific information. We need more to go on than "some program" wanting to communicate with "something." Do you have Little Snitch installed? If so, it might be giving you messages like that for perfectly normal stuff. And what anti-virus software did you use to scan your machine?


Have you changed your facebook password? If not, you should do that ASAP.

Nov 12, 2013 11:43 AM in response to domihode

Actually there is some semi information here. You can actually see what was installed when. And this includes non apple stuff. Go to preferences\About This Mac\System Report\Software\Installations. There you can see the history of what was installed and when. I found this today because I saw an installation I do not recognize kick off without my authorization that claims to be from apple. My computer is running slow now and I am suspicious and trying to remove this. Anyone hear of this? Google returns nothing.


Incompativle Kernel Exension Configuration Data

Apr 20, 2011 3:51 PM in response to domihode

Software Update only installs software from Apple.


Since you've provided no other specific information it would be hard to suggest anything.


Software Update provides a list of Installed items. Otherwise, there is nothing that provides information on other software.


If your Facebook account was hacked then you need to consider erasing the drive using zero data option then reinstalling everything from scratch. Setup a different username and password. Any information regarding charge cards or personal information should be changed - cancel charge cards, etc.


BTW, "my computer started acting funny," isn't a very helpful description of what's going on.

Apr 20, 2011 4:08 PM in response to domihode

To see what processes are running, you can use Activity Monitor (in /Applications/Utilities). Note, though, that it takes a real Unix expert to know what most of them are. If you're not a Unix expert, looking probably won't do you much good.


iAntivirus isn't what I would consider a good tool. But, as there's not much for it to find (see my Mac Virus Guide), that should be adequate to tell you that there's no malware present.

Nov 12, 2013 12:37 PM in response to ramonetl

Note that you are responding to a topic that hasn't been active for more than 2 years. A lot has changed in that time. You would be better off to start your own discussion, in the forum appropriate for your version of Mac OS X. Be sure to include more information, including the exact version of Mac OS X you have and exactly what happened, in more detail than what you have provided here.

Nov 12, 2013 1:56 PM in response to domihode

domihode wrote:

How can i see if any funny programs were installed recently on my comptuer?

Most, but not all apps, post instlalation info in /Library/Receipts/InstallHistory.plist. That's what populates Software Update's Installed Software window (System Information->Installations in later OSs). Do note that non-Apple apps installations aren't displayed in that SU window. You can read the plist file with TextEdit.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Where can I see the history of recently installed applications?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.