Filed under: Software, Leopard
iQuarantine X cures minor Leopard annoyance
iQuarantine X is reported to be able to remove the "are you sure you want to open it?" warning from your Leopard system. The quarantine feature of Leopard (which alerts you the first time you run a downloaded program) isn't a big enough annoyance to me to dish out the $5 for the program, so I haven't tested it out. But reports from readers are that it does exactly what it says: no background scripts or launchd processes, just some lean code to make the annoying warnings disappear.
Given that a free demo of such a program would kind of defeat the purpose of charging, you have to pay the $5 charge to download iQuarantine X. If the quarantine feature bugs you more than giving up a few cups of coffee, have at it.
Thanks Bobtentpeg!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Snolly said 3:16PM on 4-24-2008
Maybe the most useless application I've seen so far on Mac OS X. And it's not even free!
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Luigi193 said 3:19PM on 4-24-2008
I hate that message though...
If i wasn't so cheap I would get it...
Chris said 4:32AM on 4-25-2008
http://mymacinations.com/2008/02/06/changing-the-systems-default-settings-for-html-files-safe/ has a better solution. And it doesn't even cost a dime.
Jean-Daniel Tanguay said 3:22PM on 4-24-2008
I think this annoyance is actually a great security feature.
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Ray said 4:23PM on 4-24-2008
i agree, it only pops up once....not a big deal people
Ed said 3:34PM on 4-24-2008
I've found a couple of occasions when it's useful. I don't mind clicking one extra button...
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Alahmnat said 3:56PM on 4-24-2008
I mind when I download a PHP script where I have to edit a bunch of files before uploading it to my server, and Leopard insists on asking me that stupid question *every time* I open a new file from the package... I understand the security benefits of asking that question, but seriously, give me the option to manually mark downloaded folders and their contents as "safe", so that I don't have to answer the question 10 times while tweaking out a set of downloaded scripts. I guess this (or Anton's link below) is the next best thing, though, so I'll take what I can get.
tersono said 3:56PM on 4-24-2008
Ugh - I hate these ripoff twats who charge good money for things that are built into the OS. grrr
try:
sudo xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /path/to/file.app
There - ya just saved five bucks....
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sam said 1:25AM on 4-25-2008
...Cause doing that every time isn't nearly as annoying as clicking the button each time.
Rhywun said 4:19PM on 4-24-2008
Hm.... click 'OK' once, or pay $5, or open Terminal and type a somewhat lengthy error-prone command? I think I'll just stick with the 'OK' button. I agree the message is kind of annoying--and Vista-esque ("Are you sure you want to send this file to the Recycle Bin?")--but is there any actual security value to it? I can't offhand think of any other place in Leopard where I am forced to approve something I obviously just did. This leads me to believe there must be some valid concern being addressed here.
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Justin D said 4:40PM on 4-24-2008
How about the people that know what they're doing? This non-modifiable behavior was a total Apple screwup. At the very least *bury* the option somewhere to turn it off.
Almost as bad as the whole "Hi, I'm Mail.app, I'll take a stab in the dark about what ports to use when you setup a mail account, refuse to time out trying to connect to your server via a closed port, and also tell you that you're totally wrong when it comes to setting up IMAP prefixes!"
I'd pay $5 to fix the Mail.app thing. Not really sure $5 is worth it for *this* though, despite the obvious need for it. I'd rather avoid it and keep bitching until Apple caves and add an option to flick it on/off.
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Joshua Ochs said 5:28PM on 4-24-2008
So far none of these solutions work for me, which is especially frustrating.
1) I download lots of updates for various computers, so clicking OK constantly gets annoying.
2) Using a folder action steals focus when it runs - also very annoying.
3) Without a try before you buy, I don't know what this utility is doing. I expect it's got to be modifying something in the system somewhere to do its magic, which worries me for future updates.
4) I've never gotten a launchd script to work for this purpose (and I've created a dozen or so for my server; just none that run OnDemand). Otherwise, all it would need to do is run the following command whenever a file shows up in the downloads folders:
sudo xattr -d com.apple.quarantine /Users/*/Downloads/*
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Bobtentpeg said 5:47PM on 4-24-2008
I think you guys misunderstood the intentions of the author.
This is donation-ware. I know the coder for this and the application is free to use with no blocks. The coder is against shareware and the idea of paying for something unless you appreciae the work of the developer.
Donation is not required for download or usage and the 5$ donation is used for site upkeep and misc expenses.
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Brett Terpstra said 5:53PM on 4-24-2008
The app is listed at MacUpdate as a demo, with a price of $5. The only link visible on the app's homepage is a purchase link. The download is clearly labeled (DEMO). I may have misunderstood something, but if so, it's not for lack of looking.
illogic-al said 11:33PM on 4-24-2008
Stop lying.
Wi Nee said 5:47PM on 4-24-2008
Guess I am switching back to Vista now, oh well. At least I can shut off UAC for less than $5...
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db cooper said 6:26PM on 4-24-2008
I'm not certain how this is a security feature at all. Is there any facility within Mac OS that downloads files without my knowledge? When did Safari become IE running ActiveX?
Furthermore, any exploit that can pop a DMG file on my desktop so can probably get rid of the "bother the user when s/he double clicks on this the first time" attribute as well.
It's a Microsoftian-stupid approach to security and good riddance if this application works.
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Big John said 8:29PM on 4-25-2008
Seriously.
You have to actively tell an application to install, so why the hell do I need a warning for it?
KheeseKake said 7:55PM on 4-24-2008
Well you could also just jump straight to the download page http://www.nothinggoes.com/iquarantinex/download/ and save your $5 for an app that is more worthy of that price ;)
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metroid87706 said 9:24PM on 4-24-2008
Hahahaha, owned.
Thanks for that!
I was gonna try that, but didn't want to waste my time trying. :P