Constant Reset Password notifications

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Level 1

9 points

Constant Reset Password notifications

Security Question:
Many times per day I'm now receiving a notification on my primary machine (MBP) that says:

Reset Password

Use this Mac to reset your Apple ID password.

Is this just something screwy with two-factor rollout? Or is this an indication that someone is trying to reset my password or hack it in some way?

I'm already using two factor. I have not tried to reset my password from any device for a long time. I couldn't find any apple support or google results that seemed relevant to this, but the results are overwhelmed by folks trying to reset their own PW's.

MacBookPro: 10.12.5

iPhone/iPad: 10.3.2

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS Sierra (10.12.5)

Posted on Jul 8, 2017 2:52 PM

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Answer 1

liberlart Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 9, 2017 12:46 PM in response to tygb

RE: Read this article : macOS Sierra: Reset a login password

This is specifically the sort of thing that made searching for an answer impossible. I don't want to reset my password, I think I was pretty clear about that.

I'm trying to determine the source of constant desktop notifications on how to do so and to determine if the trigger is something mal-related.

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Answer 2

liberlart Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 9, 2017 12:43 PM in response to Barney-15E

Yeah, I don't think it's phishing. To be more specific it's a desktop popup notification, not an email. And clicking the action button (can't remember the button's nomenclature) open's System Preferences > iCloud account pane. The only thing I can think is that it's a legitimate glitch related or someone external is attempting to reset my password somehow and that's triggering apple's actual safe means to reset the password.

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Answer 3

John Galt

Level 10

159,166 points

Jul 9, 2017 1:47 PM in response to liberlart

I am not familiar with that exact nomenclature.

A screenshot would help. To learn how to post a screenshot please read the Appendix in Writing an effective Apple Support Communities question. It includes instructions for obscuring personal information, which you should not post on this or any other site.

Please determine if the same problems occur in "Safe Mode": Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support. Since it has been occurring many times per day, it shouldn't take long to determine if the nag persists, or not.

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Answer 4

Barney-15E

Level 10

124,398 points

Jul 9, 2017 7:45 AM in response to liberlart

Are you certain the notification is coming from Apple and not a scam similar to this one:

Clever Phishing Scam Targets Your Apple ID and Password | The Mac Security Blog

Or this, Apple ID expiry scam tricks users into handing over their passwords ...

I have gotten a message that I had to change my AppleID password, but it was a, "you need to change your password due to security reasons" message, not the vague message you are receiving.

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Answer 5

John Galt

Level 10

159,166 points

Jul 9, 2017 6:44 PM in response to liberlart

I have seen a prompt resembling the one you describe appear on infrequent occasions. When it did I just ignored it and it didn't reappear. I don't know what causes it, but I suspect it's a glitch associated with Apple's numerous and opaque iCloud services.

If that were to occur many times a day it would certainly be unacceptable and I would Contact Support for a resolution. However, given your description I don't know if you're experiencing the same thing.

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Answer 6

tygb

Level 9

65,086 points

Jul 9, 2017 6:56 AM in response to liberlart

Read this article : macOS Sierra: Reset a login password

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Answer 7

liberlart Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 9, 2017 3:19 PM in response to John Galt

It occurred a few more times after I posted yesterday, then stopped today. It appears either the issue was resolved or the attack has ceased. If it does reoccur I'll screengrab…

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