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Deleting virus-infected files from Time Machine backup

My Time Machine backup has failed a virus check. How do I delete infected files from the backup disk?

iMac 27″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Jul 6, 2020 6:48 PM

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Posted on Jul 6, 2020 6:57 PM

Whatever application you used for that determination should be ignored and permanently deleted from your system. It is worthless and dangerous.

Never, never, never, delete any files from a Time Machine Backup.

Just curious, what application are you using? What files are identified as containing a virus?

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Top-ranking reply

Level 10

104,731 points

Whatever application you used for that determination should be ignored and permanently deleted from your system. It is worthless and dangerous.

Never, never, never, delete any files from a Time Machine Backup.

Just curious, what application are you using? What files are identified as containing a virus?

Level 10

104,731 points

My previous advice remains valid. Do not mess with your backup because of those warnings.

How did you do the check? Uninstall the antivirus app.

The error messages came from running Antivirus One on my backup disk, not Time Machine. Sorry, my mistake in describing the problem.

Antivirus One ran when I plugged in my backup disk.

Deleting virus-infected files from Time Machine backup