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"p" will damage your computer. You should move it to the Trash.

I am getting this message when I start up my computer. I have read the responses so far on Apple Support. Can you please help me get rid of this messages. I have tried the suggestions in the other answers. Doesn't seem to work for me. What am I missing? Thanks in advance


Here is the screen shot of LaunchAgents

Here is the screen shot from LaunchDaemons:

Posted on Nov 21, 2019 5:02 PM

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6 replies

Nov 21, 2019 6:06 PM in response to anitafromoceanside

That's it.


First, ensure you have a reliable backup of your Mac, in case something should go wrong with continued troubleshooting. To learn how to do that, please read Back up your Mac with Time Machine.


  • A backup is a fundamental prerequisite regardless of whatever method you may choose uninstall adware, and would apply even if your Mac were running perfectly well. Do not overlook this fundamental requirement. It's important.


Next: This step is optional, but will preclude any related inability to use your Mac due to any excessive demands imposed upon it. Restart in "Safe Mode", and log in: Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac. Starting in Safe Mode takes longer than usual so let it finish. The popup created by that process will not appear in "Safe Mode".


The following files and / or folders need to be deleted while using your Mac in "Safe Mode":


~/Library/LaunchAgents:


Drag the files with "MyShopcoupon" and "MyMacUpdater" in their names to the Trash.


/Library/LaunchDaemons:


Nothing needs to be deleted from /Library/LaunchDaemons.


/Library/LaunchAgents:


Drag the file with "SearchSystem" in its name to the Trash.


When dragging those files to the Trash it's normal to be asked to authenticate with your Login password. Confirm they are no longer present in that folder. Leave all the others alone for now.


Next: open Safari and select the Safari menu > Preferences... > Extensions. If you see any Safari Extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone. No Safari Extensions are required for normal operation. Then, select the General pane and review your Homepage selection. Repeat those equivalent actions for any other browsers you may use.


There may also be adware-associated app icons in your Mac's Applications folder. Open it and examine its contents. Any unwanted or mysterious app icons should be obvious to you, but again please don't remove anything if you are uncertain—ask first. Identify any suspicious apps by name, or post another screenshot.


Next: In an abundance of caution, examine System Preferences > Extensions. Determine if there are any System Extensions that may have been installed without your knowledge. Ask if you're uncertain.


While you're there, check for the presence of any Profiles. Profiles are installed by organizations with a need to manage Macs deployed in institutional corporate or educational environments (for example), but have also been exploited by adware creators and similar malcontents.


Remaining within System Preferences, open Users & Groups. Select your User Account's Login Items. You may or may not find those Applications in its list. If you do, select them then click the [—] (minus) button to remove them from Login Items.


You can then restart your Mac and log in as usual.


Next: if you want to eradicate all remaining adware remnants post a screenshot of the following folder, in the same manner as you did earlier:


~/Library/Application Support


It is normal for that folder to contain many items, but anything associated with the above adware will bear identical names. For a few examples, folders containing the names "AnySearch", "MyShopCoupon", "SearchSystem", and / or "Weknow" may be found in it. If you find any folders bearing those names, you may drag them to the Trash. Without the files you already removed or the reintroduction of similar malware, they can do nothing but occupy space and will remain inert. They can be removed if you wish, but again don't remove anything if you are uncertain.


Finally: If any of the above actions result in abnormal operation or if something else stops working, the easiest way to recover would be to restore the Time Machine backup you created as a prerequisite, so the importance of that fundamental step cannot be overemphasized.

Nov 21, 2019 5:35 PM in response to anitafromoceanside

The "MyShopcoupon" and "MyMacUpdater" files need to be removed, but don't do that just yet. Otherwise they might just reappear.


In the same manner you already did, post the contents of one more folder:


/Library/LaunchAgents


Notice its name is different than then one in your first screenshot. Make the Finder's Go menu > Go To Folder field look like this




"p" will damage your computer. You should move it to the Trash.

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