mcriddle

Q: "Application is trying to install a new helper tool"  Is it safe?

iOS 8.0.2  Message "Application is trying to install a new helper tool.  Type your password to allow this."  Is it safe to allow this?  I don't know what application is prompting this message.

AppleTV 2, Mac OS X (10.7.5), imac OSX above itunes 11.1.5

Posted on Jan 6, 2015 2:45 PM

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Q: "Application is trying to install a new helper tool"  Is it safe?

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  • by Kurt Lang,

    Kurt Lang Kurt Lang Jan 6, 2015 3:12 PM in response to mcriddle
    Level 8 (37,946 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jan 6, 2015 3:12 PM in response to mcriddle

    Depends on what it is, and do you trust the developer it came from. I use Monolingual on my Macs, and when that is run the first time, it asks the same question, requiring the admin password to proceed. I've used it for years and so have no reason to distrust it and allow the installation of the helper tool.

     

    If you're not familiar with the app, email the developer and ask them why this is necessary, and what it does. Doesn't in any way guarantee you'll get a truthful answer, though.

  • by mcriddle,

    mcriddle mcriddle Jan 6, 2015 3:19 PM in response to Kurt Lang
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Jan 6, 2015 3:19 PM in response to Kurt Lang

    I will have to try to pinpoint what application it is coming from.

  • by alewpro,

    alewpro alewpro Jan 6, 2015 3:25 PM in response to mcriddle
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2015 3:25 PM in response to mcriddle

    I just had the same issue. I was in mail when it popped up.  The only apps I have open are mail, finder, calendar, and chrome.  osx10.10.1

  • by F1ll3,

    F1ll3 F1ll3 Jan 6, 2015 4:57 PM in response to alewpro
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 6, 2015 4:57 PM in response to alewpro

    I have had the issue to and i can figure out what application its is that wants to install this helper tool. I cant see anything in the info on it, just says installer.

     

    I also check the console and i can see that a login windows opens up for com.apple.BezelServices.Idletimer. I assume this is for some maintenance update but it still worries me that i dont know what it is.

     

    Anyone knows?

    Screen Shot 2015-01-07 at 01.56.19.png

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jan 6, 2015 9:02 PM in response to mcriddle
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Jan 6, 2015 9:02 PM in response to mcriddle

    If you don't know what application is prompting for authorization, you absolutely should not grant it.

  • by Topher Kessler,Solvedanswer

    Topher Kessler Topher Kessler Jan 6, 2015 9:07 PM in response to F1ll3
    Level 6 (9,866 points)
    Jan 6, 2015 9:07 PM in response to F1ll3

    When the Installer disk appears, right-click it and choose Get Info. Then expand the General section and see the "Disk Image" field, where you will see a full path to the location of the disk image. This location will help identify where it is on your system and perhaps where it came from. If you are uncertain about this, then post this information here and we can perhaps help you figure it out.

  • by mcriddle,

    mcriddle mcriddle Jan 7, 2015 8:59 AM in response to Topher Kessler
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Jan 7, 2015 8:59 AM in response to Topher Kessler

    Thanks.  Will do the next time it pops up!

  • by OK Kelly,

    OK Kelly OK Kelly Jan 8, 2015 11:15 AM in response to mcriddle
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 8, 2015 11:15 AM in response to mcriddle

    I had the same problem: this message kept coming up about "Application is trying to install a new helper tool.  Type your password to allow this." and I finally just did so it would go away because I'm usually too paranoid about these things, and it turns out to be just fine... but of course now I am trying to launch Safari and it crashes on launch every time I try... Clearly something is up.  I should not have put in my password.  My question now is how concerned do I have to be about it?  Should I change all my passwords and worry that whatever I have on this computer is now compromised?

  • by mcriddle,

    mcriddle mcriddle Jan 9, 2015 1:57 PM in response to Topher Kessler
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Jan 9, 2015 1:57 PM in response to Topher Kessler

    Unfortunately nothing happens when I right click it!!  I have been and will continue to Cancel it every time it comes up.  I have at least pinpointed that it occurs when I am using Safari.

  • by mcriddle,

    mcriddle mcriddle Jan 10, 2015 1:00 PM in response to mcriddle
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Jan 10, 2015 1:00 PM in response to mcriddle

    Screen Shot 2015-01-10 at 1.57.22 PM.png

    This is what appeared when I right clicked on the installer that it put on my desktop even though I cancelled it!

    Any ideas?

  • by Gravity,

    Gravity Gravity Jan 11, 2015 6:06 AM in response to OK Kelly
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 11, 2015 6:06 AM in response to OK Kelly

    I had the same problem after allowing the installation – Safari kernel panics – and ultimately had to do a clean install then a time machine restoration. The request came again yesterday and I blindly accepted it resulting in more Safari crashes.  Luckily, I had a recent time machine backup this time.  This morning, I got the request again, but cancelled it and found this thread.  Hope someone identifies the issue soon.

  • by Gravity,

    Gravity Gravity Jan 11, 2015 6:08 AM in response to mcriddle
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 11, 2015 6:08 AM in response to mcriddle

    Same for me...

     

    Screen Shot 2015-01-11 at 9.07.40 AM.png

  • by iCuadiko,

    iCuadiko iCuadiko Mar 17, 2016 5:26 AM in response to mcriddle
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2016 5:26 AM in response to mcriddle

    If you're having any doubts, please refer to the pdf installation instructions for Malwarebytes, is required to grant access to a higher level of sec access protection, so it's safe.

     

    Link below:https://www.malwarebytes.org/pdf/guides/MBAM-Mac-Guide.pdf

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Mar 17, 2016 10:37 AM in response to iCuadiko
    Level 7 (30,924 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 17, 2016 10:37 AM in response to iCuadiko

    iCuadiko wrote:

     

    If you're having any doubts, please refer to the pdf installation instructions for Malwarebytes, is required to grant access to a higher level of sec access protection, so it's safe.

     

     

    I'd just like to point out that, although Malwarebytes Anti-Malware for Mac will also install a helper tool which is safe, the other helper tool notices mentioned in this topic are not related to Malwarebytes, and are not safe! They appear to be related to the Genieo malware.

     

    Any time you see a message so generic as to say that "Application" is trying to install a helper tool, that should throw up all kinds of red flags. Instead of "Application," it should show the name of the application making the request. In the case of Genieo, some older variants were known to include an application that was deceptively named just "Application."

     

    Thomas Reed

    Director of Mac Offerings, Malwarebytes

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