Should I only download software from the Mac App Store?

Question

Should I only download software from the Mac App Store?

Should I only download application that are from the App Store. Lately with all the ransomware, keyloggers ,ect, Im getting worried that Ill eventually get it. Thinking that one way to prevent this is to only use software that is approved on the App Store. Yes some developers get a special licensing that does not block the install because they are a verified developer but those developers who's apps that are NOT on the app store are getting infected. Like the the torrenting application Transmission. Should I stick with apps that are the app store or should I just not worry about it?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Sep 9, 2016 8:25 PM

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Answer 1

tygb

Level 9

65,016 points

Sep 9, 2016 8:31 PM in response to Community User

Hello !

If you are really concerned , please try to download from app store .

Suggested article : OS X: About Gatekeeper - Apple Support

Thanks !

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Answer 2

Sep 9, 2016 8:35 PM in response to Community User

Stay away from any and all Torrent sites. You should only purchase apps from either the Apps Store or from a trusted source like Microsoft or Adobe.

Cheers,

GB

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Answer 3

Sep 9, 2016 8:46 PM in response to gail from maine

I don't torrent from those sites. I only torrent Operating systems like Ubuntu witch offer a torrent option since it is usually faster than the direct download. I don't download anything illegally. What i'm saying is that some programs are infected with ransomware or some kind of a keylogger since they are not on the App Store.

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Answer 4

Sep 9, 2016 8:54 PM in response to Community User

Stay away from any and all Torrent sites.

GB

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Answer 5

Sep 9, 2016 8:56 PM in response to Community User

You absolutely should worry about downloads that do not come from the App Store!

Currently, the ONLY way for your Mac to become infected with malware is for you to purposely infect yourself by downloading a trojan containing application, choosing to install it, and then authenticating as your administrative account. Therefore, Gatekeeper should always be set to the most strict setting of "App Store only" and you should only ideally download applications from the App store.

If an application is not available on the App Store, then after researching the application and it's developer, you may need to download it directly from the developers website. This should however only be done for respected and trusted applications. In addition, make sure to NEVER download from any "download" site -- only directly from the developers website. And lastly, always find the checksum (hash) on the developers website and then check the hash prior to installing.

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