Removing unknown software -- Youppes, Myppes, Olivernetko etc
I've had issues with similar search-engine installers this year and sought help here, but after following the Adware/Malware guides provided here and getting rid of those kinds of things, then doing everything I can to avoid the trap that caused them to download that time (months ago...), I now find the three named installers on my computer again. (I have not knowingly attempted to download ANY software since the problems earlier this year, where I tried to get "free" software on some site that I see now is specifically mentioned in the Adware removal guide.) As a rule I no longer click on any ad on any web page; I am confident I don't fall for social engineering attempts. I don't open links in email, even from a known person, without contacting that person to confirm they sent me something. I try to be safe, and still these applications have appeared on my computer.
Olivernetko wasn't on the machine two weeks ago, but I took screenshots showing the other two apps to remind me what I needed to get rid of; Olivernetko appeared last night after I had cleared cache, downloads, and cookies from Chrome and shut Chrome down, while I was not using my computer and in another room watching TV. A few hours later as I was preparing to go to bed, I went to shut the computer down and the installer dialog for Olivernetko was onscreen asking me to allow installation or cancel. I cancelled, but then it appeared it was trying to install the app, and I couldn't access my computer's main menu. I ended up "force quitting" the Olivernetko installer.
The specified 3 apps appear to only be the uninstallers right now. I find those uninstaller installers in the Applications folder/directory, in folders with the application names. However, after reviewing and starting to apply the Adware removal procedure, it does not appear the applications themselves have been installed. Going through the adware removal guide, I found the "launch agents" for each of them in my user Library.
From reading the Adware removal guide, it seems I should avoid installing those "uninstallers". Is it sufficient to simply drag the uninstaller folders to the trash and delete them? Same for the launch agents? There's no Genieo or InstallMac evidence anywhere. (InstallMac was the source of my woes earlier this year.) (Another thing: in spotlight search for "installer" three "installer" show up, but none has any application name, and highlighting them in spotlight simply shows a dialog with "install" as the only option. Nothing about WHAT it is those installers will install. No path to where those "installers" are located. Just a box with the installer icon and "double-click to install". What's THAT all about? No, I did not take the bait.)
Another possibly related issue is that something called "MacKeeper Helper" is trying to "respawn", every 10 seconds, according to Console. As far as I can tell, again following the above guides, MacKeeper is not installed. I've done searches in spotlight, and manual go-through-the-content-directory-of-every-folder on my hard drive, and MacKeeper is not found. Just a folder for MacKeeper Helper with "Noticeengine plugin" as the only contents, and the MacKeeper Helper launch agent.
I also found a folder for iLivid and it appears to be the application---I have a recollection that may be something I downloaded and installed 5 or 10 years ago thinking it was some kind of online video viewer or editor app. It's specifically mentioned in the Adware removal guide as something that should be removed. I have dragged it's Application folder to the trash. Will emptying the trash successfully delete that application?
I don't use Safari or Firefox as both those browsers have serious problems which renders them unusable (frequent crashes, hangs, and unexpected behaviors). Chrome is the only browser I've been able to use for about 4 months, but even it crashes if I'm online too long, often the Flash crashes.
I'm also concerned about backing up the computer because there seems to be something wrong with the computer. If there's something wrong, won't the problem be included in my backup?
Right now my main concern is deleting or removing all evidence of those search-engine installers and their launch agents, so I can try to troubleshoot the other browser problems I'm having. Any ideas?
Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.6.8), core duo