What is Gatekeeper for macOS?
macOS includes a security technology called Gatekeeper, which is designed to help ensure that only trusted software runs on a user’s Mac.
When a user downloads and opens an app, a plug-in, or an installer package from outside the App Store, Gatekeeper verifies that the software is from an identified developer, is notarized by Apple to be free of known malicious content, and hasn’t been altered.
Gatekeeper also requests user approval before opening downloaded software for the first time to make sure the user hasn’t been tricked into running executable code they believed to simply be a data file.
How to Enable Gatekeeper on Your Mac
Gatekeeper is enabled by default on Mac. But if you disabled Gatekeeper on Mac to install applications, it's advisable to re-enable it once the app is in place using Mac terminal or System preferences.
Have an open security issue to enable Gatekeeper? After enabling Gatekeeper, exit out of the desktop app and re-open it from your dock. Lockwell will close the issue if Gatekeeper is enabled.
From terminal run the following commands to enable and check the status of Gatekeeper.
Enable:
sudo spctl --master-enableCheck Status:
spctl --status
From the Apple Menu
Open System Settings.
Click Privacy & Security.
Then scroll down to Security.
4. Under "Allow apps downloaded from," select the option: App Store and identified developers
These settings might not be available if your Mac is managed by a system administrator or IT department.