Created on: May 11, 2013
Last updated: August 24, 2015
While not a security concern, this behavior is most often seen after running OS X security updates on a Mac.
The following steps can help remedy the problem (10.8 and later):
1. From the Apple Menu choose "System Preferences..."
2. Click the "Security & Privacy" button, then click the lock icon. Enter your admin password when asked.
3. Click the "Advanced..." button. Some advanced options should appear over the panel.
4. Check the box that says "Require and Administrator password to access ["Locked" or] system-wide preferences."
5. Click OK, then Click the lock icon again to close it.
6. Click the "Show All" button in the System Preference window's toolbar.
7. Click the "Network" button.
8. You may get the same "Network settings... changed" notice again but you can dismiss it.
9. Click the lock icon.
10. Enter your administrator password as you did in Step 2.
11. Now click the Show All button in the toolbar again.
12. The Mac will think you made a change and ask if you want to " Apply ... changes." Click "Apply".
Once the settings are applied and saved, the "Network settings" notice should no longer appear after security updates.