System Preferences File and folder access Bug.

Part 1 of 2

There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

Additionally, specific to Big Sur macOS 11 and above. The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that can not be opened by the User.

The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.

AntiVirus Developers purposefully Market their product to create a “ Fear Factor “. In so doing, creating a False Need for their Product.

The The Built in Security  is all that is required to protect the computer.

Part 2 of 2

Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS,  is an invitation for disaster and comprise the Operating System

Certain Applications maybe available on the Apple Apps Store - this only means the Developer is prepared to pay Apple a portion on each sale. What the Application may do to the computer is up to the User to check this out before purchase

Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions 

This will include CleanMyMac , This will include BitDefender , 

This will included Norton Antivirus , Sophos Av Software

➡️ Intego AntiVirus, ⬅️

McAfee, MacKeeper, Avast AntiVirus

Ad Guard, Webroot , ESET , Avira , Dr Cleaner Pro Plus

AVG AntiVirus   avira antivirus 

Trustee  

AntiVirus for Mac

F-Secure

Securemac

Read some of the posting and arrive at your own conclusions.

This problem seems to arise most often when a user has added one or more 3rd party Utilities and/or Anti-Virus programs like CleanMyMac or VirusBarrier and the likes. Most seasoned contributors here will likely recommend you get rid of those unnecessary applications ASAP. That would be my suggestion as well. I've seen this problem myself when I had these types of applications installed on my own Mac using Ventura 13.1. But not after removing them.

Mark_snapper wrote:

Anyone got any ideas of what has gone wrong?

In the "security" industry, it has become fashionable to hack around on the internal TCC database that controls these system settings. You will have to properly uninstall (big can-o-worms there) any 3rd party system modifications that are likely to be interfering. Then, you can reset the TCC database.

Am sure Etrecheck will lend a hand on this specific topic.

AnAside but related from a reliable Source on the TCC database

link below

https://eclecticlight.co/2022/10/29/silently-updated-security-data-files-in-ventura/

Mark_snapper wrote:

Thank you etresoft.

After I uninstall the virus software I'm using how do I go about resetting the TCC database? I think there are two, a system-wide and a user one.

There is only one. You would use the "tccutil" command in the Terminal.

I noticed apple have released a new version of Ventura 13, would uninstalling my 'virus barrier' and then installing the 13.2 update have any effect on the TCC.db?

No way to predict the future.

As I mentioned above, uninstalling any kind of antivirus is a huge can-o-worms. There is no guarantee that you will be able to uninstall it. Many of these apps include System Extensions. The only guaranteed way to uninstall a System Extension is for you to drag the containing app to the trash. Note that I didn't say "uninstall" or just "delete". You (and only you) must drag the app to the trash. The app that contains the extension may be (and probably is) in a hidden directory. Do not use any kind of "app zapper" or "clean up" tool. You can't even use the official uninstaller if it comes with one. All too often, those uninstallers don't work and you're no better off than if you had used an "app zapper".

Generally speaking, applying updates over an existing problems never helps. It usually only causes the update itself to fail, which could brick your device.