Some users are reporting that they can no longer print to HP printers or cannot continue to play Amazon Music through the dedicated app, due to a macOS error that claims the software is malware.
Appleinsider has been contacted by users reporting that their Macs suddenly report that their HP printers contain malware and “will damage your computer.” By the way, other users report the same problem, but to do with the Amazon Music app.
In either case, attempting to launch the app or just use the Mac brings up a dialog box. It reports that there is malware, says it will damage the Mac, and advises users to move a particular file to the trash.
This file can be the Amazon Music application or the HP printer driver called “HP Device Monitoring.framework”. Users have the option to click Put in the trash or To cancel, but if they cancel each other out, the error recurs.
Computer question: I haven’t updated my drivers, OS or anything … but all of a sudden my (old HP Laserjet printer) stopped working yesterday.
When I check the logs it indicates that the legacy driver is no longer working. HP does not have a new driver …
Ideas?? pic.twitter.com/zGC4dxDluI
– Always Jim (@CrazyJimP) October 23, 2020
The problem appears to be with Apple’s XProtect. It’s part of Gatekeeper, Apple’s security system that exists to identify and disable malware on Macs.
Most of the incidents reported come from consumers, but Appleinsider can now confirm that the issue is also affecting corporate printing. However, it still seems possible to pass AirPrint from Mac to an affected HP printer.
Most affected users report that they have not recently updated their HP printer drivers or the Amazon Music app. The presumption is that this therefore has to do with an update to macOS malware definitions behind the scenes, but has not been confirmed.
It is also unclear how widespread the problem is. Appleinsider contacted Apple for comment.
