Updates but no updates

[Thomasjuulrasmussen@hotma]

Hi

Writing on behalf of my mom/dad(older folks 70/85), they have an Imac.

I installed one of those free antivirus-programs(knows not as good as paid).

Now and then mac-os pops up saying new updates(updates for microsoft office mostly, thinks mac os updates comes in correctly), but when clicking accept or such, no updates is showed.

Is it really free antivirus ****ing updates up?

Regards
Thomas

 

[StumpyBloke]

Updates for what? The antivirus app or macOS? You really need to give more info

 

[Thomasjuulrasmussen@hotma]

Updates for what? The antivirus app or macOS? You really need to give more info

Thanks for heads-up.

Original post updated

 

[tyc0746]

Where (physically on the screen, not what app) is this message coming from? Is it a message offering updates (i.e. user action required), or a notification saying updates have been installed (i.e. NO user action required)?

I usually turn off Notification Centre alerts on my Macs, as I really don't need all the crap they seem to give out - I mean I don't use Books, so why would I need notifications from it, nor do I see why Microsoft Office needs to give me alerts on the desktop when it has it's own background processes running all the time anyway!!!

BTW, what 'free' anti-virus did you install...and what made you think they needed one...were they already having issues?

 

[Thomasjuulrasmussen@hotma]

It is a message popping up in top right corner, same place as I think Mac-OS update notices appear, just under the white menu-bar, and require user action, install or cancel(if choose install, nothing happendends, even when going into updates, have watched 30 minuts hehe).

Personally I would too turn off those notifications, but hard to convince my parents about it, yeah it is alot of crap they give out (that be windows or mac).

Installed the per request (googled, since not a mac user myself anymore, were that years ago) Avira, freeware antivirus, my parents dont want to pay up for the paid antiviruses(if needed, doubt really need, since not surfing dangerous sites(whatever that be ) I think).

 

[J.Gallardo]

Microsoft Office updates do weird things sometimes, but I‘ve got used to that. Mac App Store fails with my updates (showing “a cloud” as if apps weren’t installed) and I can’t find how to ask for updating within Office apps. Updates are managed by an invisible app, Microsoft Automatic Update (or something like that), which is acting strange lastly (as I read in forums).
I searched for this “out of sight” updating app in Microsoft web, and found last version for mac and installed over old one. Small errors are still present (MacAppStore related), but “microsoft updater” stopped sending notifications or failing when doing background updating. Also, locating this hidden (somewhere in Library/AplicationSupport) app and doble clicking, it opens and shows updates status. I’m sorry not remembering more precise details, and I’m away from my mac now.
Try to locate this “microsoft automatic update” app and update IT.
I hope someone can add more precise details, as “Office updating problems” is a well known PITA.
(I use Avira also; no problms or unexpected interferences by now. Two antivirus apps on a mac are too too many).

 

[Camarillo Brillo]

You don’t need any free or paid antivirus software on a Mac. You should just uninstall it. They will be fine without the extra software taking up resources and nagging you constantly to download its own updates. Plus often these antivirus programs, especially free ones, are adware themselves, and there is probably no benefit at all to running it.

 

[appltech]

Hi

Writing on behalf of my mom/dad(older folks 70/85), they have an Imac.

I installed one of those free antivirus-programs(knows not as good as paid).

Now and then mac-os pops up saying new updates(updates for microsoft office mostly, thinks mac os updates comes in correctly), but when clicking accept or such, no updates is showed.

Is it really free antivirus ****ing updates up?

Regards
Thomas

It looks like you got yourself landed with malware. Some cleaning software comes with a malicious file if you’re not careful. Look out for these signs to check if you have a virus:

1. High CPU usage. Go to Applications → Utilities → Activity Monitor. You’ll see the processes running on your parents’ Mac - if anything looks unfamiliar and has a high % CPU, it’s probably malware. However, not all unfamiliar tasks are problematic - some of them are essential for your Mac’s maintenance.
2. Pop-up ads and notifications (which is what you seem to have). On Macs it often comes with cracked Adobe FlashPlayer and cleaning software.
3. Browser extensions that you didn’t install.
4. Home page of your default browser looking weird.

Viruses sneak into your computer’s system and infiltrate it to the core. Once you’ve given permission for the file to install itself, it’ll attach itself to many files across your hard disk. This way even if you erase the source file the virus itself will still remain in the system and will interrupt your Mac’s normal functioning.

Unfortunately, as a general user there’s not a whole lot you can do, definitely not your folks. Maybe try another antiviral software? Or yet better get it looked at by a professional.

 

[J.Gallardo]

Hi

Writing on behalf of my mom/dad(older folks 70/85), they have an Imac.

I installed one of those free antivirus-programs(knows not as good as paid).

Now and then mac-os pops up saying new updates(updates for microsoft office mostly, thinks mac os updates comes in correctly), but when clicking accept or such, no updates is showed.

Is it really free antivirus ****ing updates up?

Regards
Thomas

As I told before, Microsoft Auto Update had some glitches recently. To be sure about the "update state" of Office apps, try to directly open the Microsoft updater. Apps will update and you will see their state and version. I show you the path from home drive:

And yes, could be malware but I doubt it. I think probably the antivirus is blocking background Microsoft updating.
As somebody said, antivirus are not essential in a Mac. I've got Avira, but always put it in "real time protection=off".
I want an antivirus not to spread malware to windows-user-friends, so I use it to check big pieces of info I send to them.
A better tool to detect malware (and less intrusive) is "Malwarebytes", and it makes its job remarkably well in the free version.