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Catalina App Pop-up


I just downloaded Catalina on my MacBook Air yesterday, and ever since then I've had a constant pop-up on my screen saying, "uightem.app can't be opened because it was not downloaded from the app store". It gives me two buttons to push, "show in finder" and "OK", both of which make it leave for 1-5 seconds before it pops back up. It does not take me to the app or do anything other than close and reopen the pop-up. I have no idea what this app is, or I would be happy to delete it to get rid of the pop-up. I talked with apple support for over an hour with no progress and I have no idea how to get rid of this or figure out what app it's referring to. I've attached the photo, I would really appreciate any help/suggestions!

MacBook Air 13", 10.15

Posted on Apr 17, 2020 4:53 PM

Reply
9 replies

Apr 18, 2020 5:53 AM in response to kyla046

It's unlikely you will find a file by that name anywhere on your Mac.


To ascertain the cause, start by inspecting the contents of the following folder:


~/Library/LaunchAgents


To open that folder, copy the entire line above and paste it in the Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field. Make it look like this:



... and click the Go button.


A Finder window will open. Make sure all its file names are readable by selecting View > as List or other selection that shows that folder's complete contents. Then, take a screenshot of that Finder window.



Often, there is nothing in that Launch Agents folder so don't be surprised to find it empty.


In the same manner as the above, navigate to this next folder:


/Library/LaunchDaemons


The Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field should look like this:



... and click the Go button once again.


Once again ensure all its files and their names are readable and capture a screenshot.


Then, repeat that exercise with the following folder:


/Library/LaunchAgents


Notice its pathname is different than the other two. The Finder's Go menu > Go to Folder... field should look like this:



In the end, you will have captured the contents of the following three separate folders:


~/Library/LaunchAgents

/Library/LaunchDaemons

/Library/LaunchAgents


All three will be saved to your Mac's Desktop with names "Screen Shot... " followed by the date and time they were captured. Please be sure to include or otherwise indicate the name of the folder that corresponds to each screenshot, so that you and I can keep track of which ones they are.


Post their entire contents of all three windows, one at a time, using the "picture" icon that appears below your reply text:


Apr 18, 2020 2:56 PM in response to kyla046

Thanks. This is the first part of two replies so be sure to read the next one.


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 will prevent the scam products from loading so that they can be removed while they are inactive. 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 rogue processes affecting that Mac are inoperative in "Safe Mode".


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


First screenshot:



Second screenshot:



Nothing needs to be deleted from your third screenshot.


Drag those selections of files to the Trash. You may be asked to authenticate. 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 browser 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.


Remaining in System Preferences, 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. If any Profiles are installed on your Mac an icon like this will appear in System Preferences:



If you see that icon in System Preferences, select it. To remove a Profile, select it, then click the [—] (minus) button and authenticate.


Remaining in 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. Evaluate its operation and ensure everything is working as you expect it should.


Additional information follows in my next reply.

Apr 18, 2020 5:40 PM in response to kyla046

Nothing in Application Support can affect your Mac unless one of the processes in the other folders were to use them, so it's ok to leave that folder alone for now.


If you wish to though, you can delete the following folders since they are definitely related to the files you already deleted, or will delete:


  1. com.genieoinnovation.Installer
  2. MacScan
  3. SecureMac


Don't worry about Kaspersky or MacKeeper for now either.

Apr 18, 2020 2:56 PM in response to kyla046

Part 2 of 2 follows.


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 may contain identical names. If you find a folder or folders bearing those names, drag those folders to the Trash. Without the files you already removed or the reintroduction of similar malware, they can do nothing but occupy space. These can be removed if you wish, but again don't remove anything if you are uncertain.


Next: "MacKeeper" is a notorious product responsible for inflicting widespread misery among Mac users. It was either installed on that Mac at one time and not properly uninstalled, or it remains installed and active, so do one of the following:


  • If it was uninstalled, then simply drag the one "MacKeeper" file in your first screenshot to the Trash.
  • If it remains installed, then follow its uninstallation procedures, which will render it inactive. Then, drag that remaining "MacKeeper" in your first screenshot to the Trash. It's just a leftover from its uninstallation procedure.


Next: Like all non-Apple "anti-virus" products, "Kaspersky" is worthless. You can see for yourself it did nothing to prevent you from installing adware. Uninstall it according to its instructions.


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.

Apr 18, 2020 4:07 PM in response to kyla046

You can use the free version of Find Any File to search for any files with the application's name  and the developer's name in the file name.  For example for MacKeeper software you'd do the following search: 


1 - Name contains mackeeper


Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.


FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.


Catalina App Pop-up

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