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MacOS Store apps vs apps from internet.
- Thread starter DM_DM
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While the Mac App Store is safer than downloading random software from the internet, I think both Signal and Brave Browser would have massive PR issues if they were giving you software that compromised your computer.
You should be perfectly safe downloading those apps from their sites - only their sites!
I would also run ClamXAV (www.clamxav.com) on anything you download before installing it.
You should be perfectly safe downloading those apps from their sites - only their sites!
I would also run ClamXAV (www.clamxav.com) on anything you download before installing it.
To add to what was already said…after I install and run a new app I run Malwarebytes to check for any malware.
It's not that simple. There are some apps that do things which don't fit within the scope of what Apple allows.
Software that is not offered in the Mac App Store, as others have said, can be absent for many reasons. A lot of these reasons are benign. However, I think that most home users are better off staying in the App Store unless they are knowledgeable and capable enough to actively manage their own privacy and security measures.
For example, Zoom and its software has caused multiple security problems on Macs. That's why Zoom is not available from the Mac App Store.
Yep. The Rogue Amoeba sound utility apps come to mind for me. They all do stuff that Apple doesn't allow and are quite powerful tools for taking control of your Mac's sound input and output. Same with utilities like Carbon Copy Cloner.
People have safely been downloading Mac software from indie developers for the entire history of the Mac. Just because the App Store exists that doesn't make it the only safe option, as much as Apple would like to push that narrative and collect their percentage off the top. I also like to buy directly from indies when I can just so I know they're getting 100% of the purchase price -- things like Omnifocus and Scrivener are available on the App Store and on the developers' own sites.
The one thing I'd definitely advise is to always get software directly from trusted developers (like in my examples above Rogue Amoeba, Bombich, Omni Group, Literature & Latte) and not from weird third-party software sites.
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thank you all.
installed signal. Found out the desktop app was not at par with ios one.
The damn app would not uninstall the regular way. Nothing happens, cant move the thing to trash!
i had to use clean my mac app to uninstall it.
Is there a better way to uninstall/clean such apps?
installed signal. Found out the desktop app was not at par with ios one.
The damn app would not uninstall the regular way. Nothing happens, cant move the thing to trash!
i had to use clean my mac app to uninstall it.
Is there a better way to uninstall/clean such apps?
I usually use AppCleaner. Works really well at rooting out all the little ancillary files that get installed all over the place.
No..... the app MUST meet minimum requirements.... Sandboxing is one of them, as well as being code signed with a legit Apple Developer certificate. Apps not in the app store may meet these requirements as well, but are not required to (at least not yet).