Repeated prompts for Appleid Password on MBP: malware?

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Level 1

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Repeated prompts for Appleid Password on MBP: malware?

This has been going on for a couple three weeks. It persisted after I updated to 10.10.4. Each time I reboot, I'm prompted over and over for my appleid password. Paranoid as I am, I haven't entered it. Is this a sign of malware?

If not, how may I end the prompts?

If so, how may I chase down and remove the malware?

N.b., iCloud connections are up and running. App Store purchases work okay. iTunes works smoothly.

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2010), OS X Yosemite (10.10)

Posted on Jul 4, 2015 7:05 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Rysz

Level 8

44,391 points

Jul 4, 2015 8:25 PM in response to F J Poblam

Tthe prompt are likely for things like Messages, FaceTime and other apps that require your Apple ID to function in the background.

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Answer 2

F J Poblam Author

Level 1

55 points

Jul 4, 2015 9:12 PM in response to Rysz

Possibly… I'll check. (As for Facetime, it's disabled on all devices, but I'll check other background stuff.)

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Answer 3

putnik

Level 4

1,179 points

Jul 5, 2015 1:24 AM in response to F J Poblam

Note that Messages and FaceTime now need an App Specific Password (ASP), but the password dialogue box does not make this clear.

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT204397

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Answer 4

F J Poblam Author

Level 1

55 points

Jul 5, 2015 6:23 AM in response to putnik

Thanks: very useful to know. However, FWIW, let's say I have taken the insecure path and used the same password for appleid everywhere—iCloud, iTunes, all apps, and on, and on forever, world without end. And let's say I have *one time* entered the password for each and then never again in that session (in a manner of which I am aware) "logged off". Should, after reboot, there *still* be any further prompts for passwords (app-specific or not)?

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Answer 5

putnik

Level 4

1,179 points

Jul 5, 2015 6:31 AM in response to F J Poblam

I presume that rebooting will log you off these services and that the keychain allows apps to reconnect on startup.

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Answer 6

F J Poblam Author

Level 1

55 points

Jul 5, 2015 6:49 AM in response to putnik

One might think so, but I am never asked to store passwords in the keychain. I will look to see whether (1) I have keychain storage of passwords—somehow—disabled and (2) these passwords are (not) there. Thanks.

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Answer 7

Eric Root

Level 10

684,039 points

Jul 5, 2015 11:28 AM in response to F J Poblam

Try running Keychain Access/First Aid and resetting the original keychain.

Keychain Reset

Keychain Issues - Resolve see post by Kappy

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Answer 8

F J Poblam Author

Level 1

55 points

Jul 5, 2015 2:09 PM in response to Eric Root

(Tried to mark your post Useful, both in my Email response and here: couldn't figure out how!)

Thanks, Eric. "First Aid" check cited no problems. So I've bookmarked the Reset instructions page you cited, and will go through it when I get desperate and/or angry enough. Thanks again.

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Answer 9

Eric Root

Level 10

684,039 points

Jul 5, 2015 3:23 PM in response to F J Poblam

You are welcome.

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