What does Gatekeeper help prevent on a computer?

Gatekeeper is a security feature integrated into macOS that primarily aims to protect users from the installation of unverified or malicious software. Its main function is to ensure that only apps from identified developers or those available on the Mac App Store can be installed on a Mac. This is accomplished by verifying the developer’s signature and checking app provenance, which helps mitigate risks associated with downloading and running software from untrusted sources.

The purpose of this protection is to enhance system security by preventing potentially harmful software that could compromise user data, privacy, or system integrity. By enforcing this verification process, Gatekeeper plays a critical role in maintaining a safer computing environment for Mac users.