Java 8 Update 71 is trying to install a new helper tool. (On Mac)
I just was prompted to update Java. It tells me:
Does anybody know what that "helper" tool does? If it is new I probably don't need it. Is there a way to opt out? Or at least know what it is before installing it?
Note that I already checked the option to suppress sponsor offers in the Java Control Panel under System Preferences.
Note also that if I don't enter the admin password, the update doesn't get installed. It is not an offer that is presented besides the update and that I can accept or reject.
If this is a bad question or the wrong place, please comment.
Here is a followup.
I got the message again and I searched for more information about it. I learned that the update process has been wrapped into an application. The applications wraps the actual package and proposes additional software. If you opt out I guess it just installs the java update.
The "new helper tool" is probably this installation wrapper, or possibly the additional software that is proposed if you don't opt out.
If you prefer to install a clean package, you can extract it form the installer. After the update downloaded, click cancel. Then go to ~/Library/Application Support/Java (~/Library is hidden, so use Go > Go to folder...). You can see there all the past java update downloads. Choose the latest version. Inside the folder you see an app and a dmg. Right-click on the app and select Show Package Contents. Inside the app go to Contents/Resources. There you find a package JavaAppletPlugin.pkg. That is the actual package. Double-click it to install. It will still ask for your name and password, but this time it is asked by OSX/macOS and used for installing that package and nothing else.
Latest update: Today the update fails. When that happens, the download is immediately removed. In that case the method above doesn't work.
This starts to look like a blog. The failing download was due to my antivirus. When I disable it it works again. Anyway I now trust the message to be harmless. It is OS X asking if I agree to run the Java installation program. It doesn't try to install anything else. I just run it.
Answer
From: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/guides/install/mac_jre.html
Oracle has partnered with companies that offer various products. The installer may present you with the option to install these programs when you install Java.
You can disable the presentation of offers during installation by specifying the --args SPONSORS=0 option in the terminal command line. For example:
open /Volumes/Java\ 8\ Update\ 40/Java\ 8\ Update\ 40.app --args SPONSORS=0