Password prompt before app install?

[Jedi5]

I can't figure this out so I hope someone can help me out.

On my MBP, I get prompted for a PW before any program gets installed.
On my iMac, at times I get prompted, other times I don't.
I just downloaded handbrake and installed but there was no PW prompt.
The day before I installed a plug in for Quicktime and was prompted for a PW.

How can I get so that I get prompted for a PW every time before anything gets installed?

 

[stridemat]

Depending on the access the program needs will determine if you need a password. If it is accessing root then it will require it.

 

[gtr053]

I think it just depends on the application.

 

[rprebel]

If the installer is installing files in a restricted folder, then it will prompt for a password. If it's just putting an app in your Apps folder then it probably won't ask for a password unless the developer wanted it to.

Source

 

[Jedi5]

So if I understand then, there is no way to do this...


Alright then..

Thanks again!

 

[munkery]

It sounds like you are using a standard account on your MBP and an admin account on your iMac.

An admin account does not ask for your password if the app does not modify restricted areas of the root directory (/Library) of the system. So, apps that require a password are apps that modify restricted areas of the root directory.

In a standard account, /Library becomes more restricted and you are asked for a password (admin password) to install apps that modify anywhere in that directory. You also will be asked for an admin password if you want to install an app for all users (/Applications). Apps installed in ~/Applications (not created by default) are accessible by other users until the owner of that folder explicitly denies access. (EDIT: It is very rare, but sometimes you will find apps that have no config files that can only be installed for the current user such that they do not require any password to install and can not be installed for all users unless installed by each individual user)

In an admin account, those additional areas of /Library (root directory) that are restricted in a standard account can be modified without any password entry. This is why using a standard account provides a little more protection from malware but truly malicious malware requires modifying restricted areas of /Library (root directory) or /System/Library.

Security sensitive hidden folders (/usr, /bin, /sbin, & etc) require an admin password to modify in both admin and standard accounts.