Click the lock and enter your password to make changes. In System Preferences, click Security & Privacy, then click General. For additional security, you can chose to allow only apps from the App Store. View the app security settings on your Macīy default, the security and privacy preferences of your Mac are set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers. With macOS Mojave, developers can also have their app notarized by Apple-an indication that the app was uploaded to Apple and passed a security check before it was distributed. When you install Mac apps, plug-ins, and installer packages from outside the App Store, macOS checks the Developer ID signature and notarization status to verify that the software is from an identified developer and that it has not been altered. If you download and install apps from the internet or directly from a developer, macOS continues to protect your Mac. If there’s ever a problem with an app, Apple can quickly remove it from the store. Apple reviews each app in the App Store before it’s accepted and signs it to ensure that it hasn’t been tampered with or altered.
The safest place to get apps for your Mac is the App Store. MacOS includes a technology called Gatekeeper, that's designed to ensure that only trusted software runs on your Mac.
