Hello. I installed OnyX to improve my system's performance. When I tried to use it, a window showed up asking me to enter the password. The window is different from the one that I normally see during installation. Is it safe to enter the password? In general, can hackers use freeware to collect password from the users? If so, how can we tell whether or not to enter the password? Thanks.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Is it safe to provide the password when asked by freeware?
- Thread starter hajime
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It's always a good idea to be cautious when entering your admin password. Onyx is safe. If in doubt about any particular app, search the forum with MRoogle to see what others are saying about that app. If they're recommending it here and you get it from a reputable source, you're ok.
That is ONYX asking you for permission to do its thing, which is accessing system files and folders, thus a password is required.
Onyx has to be able to access your system files to work. Onyx is a reputable program. Assuming you got it from a normal source (Mac Updates or Version Tracker), you should be fine.
No, that's not necessary. The software needs the password to be able to access system files. Reputable software isn't "collecting" your password.
That doesn't help anyway. See, if the password is x123 and you change it to x, then the installer asking for the password will still have access to the system files/folder if you enter the x as a working password.
There is some freeware out there which requires to have access to system files and folders, so you still have to give it access to those, no dummy password will circumvent that.
Just make sure you don't install any software that may be compromised. Use the search engine of your choice to make sure if you are unsure.
Thanks for the info. Do you mean:
www.versiontracker.com
http://www.macupdate.com/
I want to avoid fake sites that look very similar to the ones you mentioned.
It's an exception. I used MU and VT almost every week for every piece of software I came across in my first two years of Mac ownership and never, ever came upon malware, maybe badly coded software, but not malware.