Mac App Blocker

3.2.1

3.2.1

See all Versions

Great app to protect my browser & mail app. I love that I can set it to hide the apps after some time of not being used, and then ask again a password to open them. Off course there are ways to bypass the app as another used commented, but at least for me, i´m not surrounded by people with that skills, i just want to keep away from my stuff the people in the office or someone stealing my computer. Also Ken has been very responsive after the mails I sent him asking some fixes.

This is so easy to circumvent:
Two ways:

- Because you cannot remove the .app file yourself, you need a decent uninstaller like iTrash or AppDelete. They will force it to delete and it works every time, even with locked apps like this. Succesfully removed it on macOS10.12

- Write a small AppleScript (if the script editor is locked too, use another system) and save it as a AppleScript:

tell application "System Events"
try
do shell script "killall MacAppBlocker"
delete login item "MacAppBlocker"
end try
end tell

Run the scripts and gone is the protection.

Beside the poor protection, even for an average user, the app itself is badly written. It leaks a LOT of memory.
It does sometimes locks up the CPU with high peak usages, which seems random.
On top I found two apps that it did not want to lock.
It is too bulky and counterproductive GUI.

Even for free this is not worth using.

Fantastic little app for everyday use! Easy to use, and set up with a number options available. Good price, and can be loaded on to 3 Macs in the same household.

I've tried five times now to contact KnewSense via the contact form at the site but I suspect it's broken so am hoping either KnewSense will read this or someone else might be able to help with a pre-sales question.
How many Macs can I install App Blocker on with a single license purchase?
Thank you.

@KnewSense I bought this app and its awesome and simple to use. Now my hotkey to disable stealth mode is not working. My question is, is there a way you can disable the stealth mode without using the hotkey?

Developer's web site is down: "Whoops, looks like something went wrong."

Hi, i just downloaded this and looks really good, but i got one question: Is there a way to set an "inactive" rule for more than 60 minutes? (I want the apps to be closed if they are inactive for 120mins) Thanks,

After testing MacAppBlocker out for over a week and reviewing it on my youtube channel under AppLookReviews I've determined, its a solid offering that provides an extra layer of protection for your apps, similar to that of an encryption app provides for your files and/or folders. After testing the app for best practices I'd block activity monitor, terminal and system preferences as the app recommends, along with stealth mode. I'd also block any application that one would use to delete/remove apps from the system, just in case someone tried to use one of those apps to remove MacAppBlocker, even though in my tests trying to delete MacAppBlocker required the Admin password on my system. Overall its a solid security measure for people who practicing good habits in the first place. For more check out my review on youtube by copying and pasting the url below. MacAppBlocker Youtube Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmet_pOcaZ8

Its easy: remove this app with Appdelete, Appcleaner, Itrash, .. and the protection is gone. No admin access needed. I tried this on two systems and the workaround works every time.

I am unable to download this app either from MacUpdate or from the Developers site. Clicking the download button results in a browser page full of random code. Additionally, I have made two attempts to contact the developer using the "Contact Us" form on the site. Both attempts resulted in PHP errors with no clear indication whether the message went through. I hope that the developer reads this and fixes the problems on their site. I would really like to try this software. Thank you.

I feel more secure when have it. Cool. My mac can not live WITHOUT IT NOW

Well, the protection is so easy to bypass: This is what you have to to do (no admin right required) - Install any uninstall app like iTrash, Appdelete, .. - Drag MacAppblocker into the uninstall app. - Remove all found the files including the Macappblocker.app - Reboot and hey presto ... no Macappblocker anymore. :-) All files including the Macappblocker app file will be removed. Even if Maccappblocker is running. So this renders this app useless.

Good App.. But where can i find 10.5.8 version?

Excellent utility. I had a small problem with updating from an earlier version. I emailed the developer who replied immediately and helpfully and produced a fix within a couple of days. Highly recommended!

Version 2.2 is problematical for me. The icon does not appear in the Menu Bar so I cannot access the settings.

The recent update to this app is perfect. I made an account on Mac Update just so I can write this review. Although earlier versions of this app did have problems, the developers definitely addressed them and this App is just amazing and couldn't give a bigger recommendation. There are just some apps on your Mac that you never want anyone going through and this app just does that by preventing anything from accessing apps they shouldn't be. Thanks for all your hard work in putting this app together. It's greatly appreciated.

There are some situations where a person must have access to an administrative account, but you want to keep them out of personal stuff. For example, my wife runs a doctor's office. Her employee must have access to a particular app. That app required an administrative account. Giving someone an administrative account can allow them to access your data. This app works great. We used to use Espionage, but they removed the ability to password protect an app in version 3. So, since it is now useless for us, we were very happy to find Mac App Blocker. I'd love to see this for iOS.

Great... But it is really only focused at the casual passer by, who it would block, anyone with the most basic of command line skills could overcome this app by killing the PID (Process ID) which takes about 5 seconds, the app is forced to quit and the casual user could open anything that was blocked by the app. if you also block the Terminal application it would make it less lightly that someone would gain access, but still fairly easy to bypass (as per other reviews) So if you plan on making it more than just a deterrent, and you don't know about Terminal, make sure you block that as well - this will give slightly better odds at someone getting access to your apps. Overall a useful app for deterring the casual passer-by but that is about it.

A friend who is switching from Yahoo mail to Apple's Mail app asked me if there was anyway to password-protect Mail so that roommates, who have access to his Mac, can't easily peruse his mail. After poking around the web I stumbled upon MacAppBlocker, and installed it on my MacBook Pro to test it. I've only used it a short time, but it does exactly what the developer says: keeps anyone who doesn't know your password from opening protected apps. The app is very easy to configure and use, and you're alerted if someone does try to access one of your protected apps: MacAppBlocker's menu icon turns red. Oops, busted. MacAppBlocker is not a high-security app; a computer-savvy intruder can access documents other ways than thru the app which created them. But in a casual setting (family computer use, roommates, etc) it might be a fine solution. And no, I have nothing to do with the developer; I'm just fairly enthusiastic about the app, which seems to be well done.