I want to disable ALL system password prompts

[nonunderling]

Hi there,

I am sure this is an easy fix but I have searched high and low and can't find this out anywhere.

My father has an iMac with 3 user accounts active. None of these accounts are password-protected. However, when installing a new app (or doing various other things on the computer) it prompts me for a password. Now, since there are no active user passwords, I can simply click "OK" and move on.. But the fact that it prompts me in the first place is bothersome.

SO..
I want to be able to install apps and run maintenance scripts and NEVER be prompted for a password of any kind. Is this possible?

Thanks in advance.

 

[GGJstudios]

However, when installing a new app (or doing various other things on the computer) it prompts me for a password. Now, since there are no active user passwords, I can simply click "OK" and move on.. But the fact that it prompts me in the first place is bothersome.

SO..
I want to be able to install apps and run maintenance scripts and NEVER be prompted for a password of any kind. Is this possible?

It's not possible and very inadvisable, as that is a security feature, to prevent malware from installing without your knowledge or permission. You should use the prompt as an opportunity to stop and think about what you're installing or permitting.

 

[Alameda]

Maybe you could run as root user, but that's a really bad idea. Maybe better to switch to root only for your software updates.

 

[GGJstudios]

Maybe you could run as root user, but that's a really bad idea. Maybe better to switch to root only for your software updates.

It is not required to log in as root to run software updates. The average user will have little or no reason to ever log in as root.

 

[Alameda]

It is not required to log in as root to run software updates. The average user will have little or no reason to ever log in as root.

He's trying to eliminate the password prompts when remotely installing software.

 

[GGJstudios]

He's trying to eliminate the password prompts when remotely installing software.

It would be interesting to know how you came to that conclusion, since the OP said nothing about remote access.

 

[nonunderling]

It would be interesting to know how you came to that conclusion, since the OP said nothing about remote access.

No this has nothing to do with remote access.

GGJstudios- while I appreciate your advice to carefully consider what I'm installing while being prompted for a password, it's not really to the point of my question. I am quite aware of what I'm installing and confident in its source. I suppose, like you say, what I want to do simply isn't possible out of consideration for proper security. It does tick me off a bit though!

Thanks for the replies.

 

[GGJstudios]

I am quite aware of what I'm installing and confident in its source.

While I have no doubt you can make wise choices as to what to install, the password prompt prevents malware from automatically installing with elevated privileges without your knowledge. So it's not just you having to respond with a password to grant privileges; it's any software that may attempt to install itself being blocked from those privileges by that prompt.

 

[Alameda]

It would be interesting to know how you came to that conclusion, since the OP said nothing about remote access.

Sorry, I just figured that when he said he was running maintenance scripts on somebody else's machine, he'd do it remotely.

He could remotely login as root, do his dirty work, and leave without a prompt, if that's what he really wants.

 

[GGJstudios]

Sorry, I just figured that when he said he was running maintenance scripts on somebody else's machine, he'd do it remotely.

The Mac OS X maintenance scripts run automatically, without the need for user intervention. Also, you don't need to log in as root to run scripts, install or delete apps, or do most other things on a Mac.

 

[Alameda]

The Mac OS X maintenance scripts run automatically, without the need for user intervention. Also, you don't need to log in as root to run scripts, install or delete apps, or do most other things on a Mac.

I'm not trying to argue with you. I don't even disagree with you. I told him it wasn't a good idea, but that it could work. I don't know what scripts he wants to run. I'm just trying to be helpful.

 

[stchman]

Hi there,

I am sure this is an easy fix but I have searched high and low and can't find this out anywhere.

My father has an iMac with 3 user accounts active. None of these accounts are password-protected. However, when installing a new app (or doing various other things on the computer) it prompts me for a password. Now, since there are no active user passwords, I can simply click "OK" and move on.. But the fact that it prompts me in the first place is bothersome.

SO..
I want to be able to install apps and run maintenance scripts and NEVER be prompted for a password of any kind. Is this possible?

Thanks in advance.

Unix and Linux accounts use password prompts for security reasons. This is the reason that you don't really need anti-virus on a Unix like system as you have to authorize any system changes.

"Bothersome", I guess getting a credit card number stolen and having someone else charge to your card is FAR more bothersome than having ot enter your password to do administrative tasks.