I have a MacBook that is currently in Lockdown mode, and I’m using a standard user account. Recently, I’ve been receiving frequent requests during updates from Proton Pass and Signal to install a Helper Tool.
I’m curious if this is normal behavior for these applications. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any mentions of this on Reddit or other forums, and it’s making me a bit concerned about security.
Has anyone else encountered similar requests? Is this standard practice for these apps, or should I be worried?
Apparently, judging from this website below, it’s primarly needed for auto-updates, it even mentions Signal, so maybe I’m in the right path?
However, if the application itself is designed to install additional Helper Tools at the time of launching the app, then the user gets prompted because the app is running as the user, which doesn’t have elevated permissions. I think Slack, Signal, and WhatsApp try doing this to install an auto-update Helper Tool.
Indeed, my Mac also asks for this prompt for most apps including brave, Firefox, signal, and so on. Tbh, I am wondering if there is another way for auto update unless you install apps from Mac store.