DoNotDisturb Helper
DoNotDisturb Helper is a macOS security utility that watches for unauthorized lid-opening events and can alert you when someone accesses your Mac.
What is DoNotDisturb Helper?
DoNotDisturb Helper is a native macOS security utility designed to detect and respond to suspicious physical access to a Mac, especially lid-opening events associated with so-called evil maid attacks. It is part of Objective-See’s DoNotDisturb tool and is used by people who want extra awareness when leaving a MacBook unattended at home, work, school, or while traveling. The app can log lid-open activity, show local alerts, and support optional remote notifications so you can be informed even when you are away from the computer. It also offers operating modes such as reduced visibility in the menu bar and more passive alert behavior for users who want monitoring without obvious on-screen signals. On Macs with Touch ID or Apple Watch unlock, it can account for trusted unlock activity to reduce unnecessary alerts. For users focused on Mac security and privacy, it serves as a lightweight helper for monitoring physical tampering events.
Key features
- Detect lid-opening events that may indicate unauthorized physical access
- Show local alerts when the Mac is opened unexpectedly
- Log access-related events for later review
- Send optional remote alerts through Telegram
- Run in a no-icon mode that keeps the menu bar uncluttered
- Use a passive mode that avoids showing local alerts
- Reduce false alarms by recognizing trusted unlock activity with Touch ID or Apple Watch
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Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
This helper is consistent with the purpose of Objective-See’s DoNotDisturb security tool: it runs in the background so it can watch for lid-open events and deliver alerts. Background operation and optional notification features are normal for this kind of Mac security utility. If you enable remote alerts, review what notification channel you connect and what information may be sent off the Mac. Keep the item only if you intentionally use DoNotDisturb or other Objective-See security tools associated with it.
Recommendation: Keep DoNotDisturb Helper if you use DoNotDisturb to monitor your Mac for physical access while unattended. If you do not use that feature set anymore, you can remove the helper along with the main DoNotDisturb app, and you will lose its lid-open monitoring and alert functions.
Common paths
/Applications/DoNotDisturb Helper.app
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