Startup message re missing security software

Question

Level 1

8 points

Startup message re missing security software

Has anyone dealt with or had this problem?

At start up, the loading takes longer than usual and then I get a startup message asking me to connect to wifi to load missing but vital software to deal with a security issue. It warns that until I install the software I won't be able to use my Mac. I'm offered a choice to either introduce my wifi password or to switch off computer. If I switch off the computer and restart, the computer boots okay but I get a message saying that a problem caused the computer to switch off, but nothing more and everything works normally.

If I long-on to wifi, the computer starts to load software but then stops with a message saying that the software load failed, and as before, I switch off and reboot to the same message described above. I updated to Mojave in between the first time this occurred and now the second time.

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.14

Posted on May 2, 2019 7:12 AM

Reply

Answer 1

jack henry Author

Level 1

8 points

May 3, 2019 8:55 AM in response to leroydouglas

Installed and ran EtreCheck three times. Report in additional text. Major issue: no TimeMachine backup. Minor issue: Kernel panic. Rebooted and problem continues. I switched off and rebooted in Safe Mode. Here is a photo of the screen warning which blocks start up.

EtreCheck Report

.

Reply

Answer 2

May 2, 2019 7:33 AM in response to jack henry

a startup message asking me to connect to wifi to load missing but vital software to deal with a security issue.

Can you provide a picture of this dialog interface— sounds like a scam.

Avoid phishing emails, fake 'virus' alerts, phony ... - Apple Support

To get a good look at your System config. for conflicts or issues, you can run this utility http://etrecheck.com

If you need help interpreting the report you can post it here in its entirety in the "Additional Text" box in the toolbar below.

Reply

Answer 3

BobHarris

Level 9

55,049 points

May 3, 2019 6:19 AM in response to jack henry

While in Safe mode download and run MalwareBytes.

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware

<https://www.malwarebytes.org>

And when you are finished checking (and cleaning) uninstall MalwareBytes

<https://support.malwarebytes.com/docs/DOC-1928>

That is to say, you do not need to run MalwareBytes all the time, as the long time forum volunteers do not recommend any anti-virus package be run continuously.

MalwareBytes (the Mac version written by a long time contributor to the forums) and EtreCheck (also written by a long time forum contributor) are the 2 software packages that have earned our trust at identifying and aiding in the removal of malware that tricks the user into installing them. And the user did have to be involved. The common ways are, as a side-load when installing something the user actually wants, or being tricked into installing Adobe Flash, which is not really Flash.

Reply

Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

245,189 points

May 3, 2019 10:46 AM in response to jack henry

What is connected to the LPSS Serial Adapters?

System Preferences>Network, click on the little gear at the bottom next to the + & - icons, (unlock lock first if locked), choose Set Service Order.

The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list. Is Wifi at top?

Did you ever figure why Photos crashed twice?

Reply

Answer 5

jack henry Author

Level 1

8 points

May 4, 2019 3:04 AM in response to BDAqua

The LPSS Serial Adapters show as not configured but are at the top of the list which comes up when I click on Set Service Order, followed by the ethernet connection, which in turn is followed by the Wifi connection.

Why do you ask if Wifi is at the top?

Photos crashes: I assumed that it crashed as a result of some glitch to do with intensive photo editing of photos I'd taken and uploaded from an SD card.

Reply

Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

245,189 points

May 4, 2019 11:27 AM in response to jack henry

The interface that connects to the Internet should be dragged to the top of the list.

Internet will always try those 2 LPSS Serial Adapters before trying Wifi, so drag those LPSS Serial Adapters to the bottom or delete them with the minus icon if you never use them

Reply

Answer 7

jack henry Author

Level 1

8 points

May 5, 2019 2:38 AM in response to Old Toad

Booted Mac in Safe Mode, then rebooted from the apple menu in normal mode. No mysterious message appeared; everything running normally. Re-ran EtreCheck again and nothing new or noteworthy other than what had already been reported:

Major Issues:

Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.

No Time Machine backup - Time Machine backup not found.

Kernel panics - This system has experienced kernel panics. This could be a sign of hardware failure.

Minor Issues: None

Have yet to switch off and boot from zero.

Reply