Asking for my password to “install a new helper tool”--safe?

[WJZ]

I had used my malwarebytes anti-malware program earlier this evening on my Mac, and there was a a single malware that I removed easily. Some time later I tried running the same malwarebytes anti-malware program and a window popped up saying “Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is trying to install a new helper tool. Type your password to allow this.” I was wary to do anything, especially in light of having discovering some malware earlier. 

Was this installation request legitimate? If not, is my Mac still “infected”?

Funny thing is that after I managed to successfully get out of the window requesting my password and going back to the malwarebytes anti-malware program and click on “Scan,” it ran without a hitch. After the program finished scanning it said I had no threats.

I’m not very computer savvy, so all this is baffling. Can someone please help me here? Thanks!

[WJZ]

I had used my malwarebytes anti-malware program earlier this evening on my Mac, and there was a a single malware that I removed easily. Some time later I tried running the same malwarebytes anti-malware program and a window popped up saying “Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is trying to install a new helper tool. Type your password to allow this.” I was wary to do anything, especially in light of having discovering some malware earlier. 

Was this installation request legitimate? If not, is my Mac still “infected”?

Funny thing is that after I managed to successfully get out of the window requesting my password and going back to the malwarebytes anti-malware program and click on “Scan,” it ran without a hitch. After the program finished scanning it said I had no threats.

I’m not very computer savvy, so all this is baffling. Can someone please help me here? Thanks!

[WJZ]

41 minutes ago, WJZ said:

I had used my malwarebytes anti-malware program earlier this evening on my Mac, and there was a a single malware that I removed easily. Some time later I tried running the same malwarebytes anti-malware program and a window popped up saying “Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is trying to install a new helper tool. Type your password to allow this.” I was wary to do anything, especially in light of having discovering some malware earlier. 

Was this installation request legitimate? If not, is my Mac still “infected”?

Funny thing is that after I managed to successfully get out of the window requesting my password and going back to the malwarebytes anti-malware program and click on “Scan,” it ran without a hitch. After the program finished scanning it said I had no threats.

I’m not very computer savvy, so all this is baffling. Can someone please help me here? Thanks!

Here are the screenshots I’m getting:

[sman]

see, if this is related.. 

Quote

wants to install a new helper tool? (self.Malwarebytes)

submitted 1 month ago by lets-make-one

so after i spent some time in some sketchy sites, i went to run malwarebytes for mac and it told me it needs to install a new helper tool and wants my root password. safe? the timing seems sketch

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[–]SticknMyDicknAChickn 2 points 1 month ago* 

https://support.malwarebytes.com/customer/portal/articles/2050091-how-do-i-install-anti-malware-for-mac-?b_id=9511

From the instructions just below the video:

"When you launch Anti-Malware for Mac the first time, you will be prompted for an admin password to install a privileged helper tool. This tool is required to safely and securely remove adware from certain locations that require special privileges to modify. If you do not provide a password, you can still use the software, but will not be able to remove all adware."

See Page 3: https://www.malwarebytes.com/pdf/guides/MBAM-Mac-Guide.pdf

You can always get more assistance at the official Malwarebytes Malware Removal for Mac forum:

https://forums.malwarebytes.com/forum/165-malware-removal-for-mac/

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[treed]

This is normal. See the installation section of the user guide:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/pdf/guides/MBAM-Mac-Guide.pdf

[MrElvey]

Thanks, treed, sman etc.  I just got this warning. For SEO, here's the text of the warning:

"Malwarebytes Anti-Malware could not install its helper tool without admin privileges. Without that tool, it will not be able to scan for threats. If you want to install that helper tool now, click the Authorize Now button below.

If you do not know your Mac OS X user password, and are thus unable to provide it, you will need to reset that password ..."

From the documentation PDF: "Installation of the helper tool may need to be repeated again at some point in the future, if the tool is deleted or if a newer version becomes available." 
😎

 

[treed]

Please note that if you're still using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, all versions of that are outdated. We're still delivering rule updates to Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.3.1, but it is no longer compatible with the latest versions of macOS. We would recommend uninstalling it and using the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac instead.

https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038479294-Download-and-install-Malwarebytes-for-Mac-v4