Setting Application Permissions in macOS 10.14 and Beyond

Applicability:

End users who have received a new Mac running OS 10.14 or newer, and end users who have recently upgraded an existing Mac to macOS 10.14 or newer.  Particularly impacted are videoconferencing tools and file sharing applications.

Background:

Beginning with macOS 10.13 and for all subsequent macOS releases, Apple is tightening the permissions granted to third-party applications, and requiring end users (you) to explicitly allow these applications access to things like the microphone, video camera, hard drive, and macOS accessibility services.

These permissions must be granted on the machine itself by you (the user), and cannot be granted while a remote screenshare with your tech support department is in progress.

Types of issues you will notice:

Are you experiencing a video camera or microphone that does not work with your videoconferencing application?  Is your file sharing application not able to save data to your hard disk?  Or is your remote backup software not functioning?  Or perhaps Smart Sourced IT technicians have asked you to authorize Bomgar (our screensharing app) without which we cannot deliver remote IT support.

Action Plan:

Following the installation of a new application on your Mac, or the upgrade or your Mac's OS to version 10.14 or newer, do the following:

1. Click on the Apple Menu (top left corner of your screen) and go to System Preferences
2. In System Preferences, choose "Security & Privacy"
3. Click on the General tab.  Is an "Allow" button present along with a name/description of the app to the left of the button?  If it is something you recognize, click the "Allow" button; otherwise, call SSI support on 415-483-1700.
4. Click on the Privacy Tab at the top of the window.
5. If you have an admin account on your machine (where you can install your own apps), click the gold lock on the bottom left side and authorize your access, then proceed to step 6.  If you don't have an admin account, stop here and call SSI Support on 415-483-1700.
6. Click on "Camera" in the left part of the window.  You should see all of your videoconferencing apps -and any other app that uses your computer's camera- listed here, with checkmarks to the left of them.  If you see apps you don't recognize, call SSI support on 415-483-1700 for guidance.
7. Click on "Microphone" in the left part of the window.  You should see all of your videoconferencing apps -and any other app that uses your computer's microphone- listed here, with checkmarks to the left of them.  If you see apps you don't recognize, call SSI support on 415-483-1700 for guidance.
8. Click on "Accessibility" in the left part of the window.  Be certain that the app "Bomgar" is present and checked.  Other apps will also be present and should be checked; if you see any you don't recognize, call SSI support on 415-483-1700 for guidance.
9. Click on "Full Disk Access" in the left part of the window.  Take particular note of "Backblaze".  If it is not present, click on the "+" sign and add it from your Applications folder.  Other apps, like file sharing tools, will also be present here and should be checked.  If you see any you don't recognize, call SSI support on 415-483-1700 for guidance.
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