Q: What are .isdata files? Is this malware?
I recently found a sudoers file on my 2015 Macbook Air, 13" (1.6GHz Intel Core 5/Mem 4GB 1600MHz DDR3)El Capitan 10.11.6 which took control of my HD as well as my cable modem. I was able to correct those problems, (with help from this forum, THANKS!) but I still cannot change permissions for my Apps Folder, and cannot sign in to the App Store. I want to revert to the original OS X Yosemite. I set up a root user acct., and am using a clean Firefox install. When I tried to connect to apple.com I got a re-direct warning (Chrome) which I don't have installed. I then opened Finder and went to Library/Caches/com.apple.iconservices.store and found about a hundred or more of these text document files, all written in code, with the extension .isdata I am not so concerned about a bricked machine, since I have a damage warranty from the retailer, and they say I can exchange it. I just don't want to start deleting files that may be necessary for the system. Has anyone seen these files? Can they be safely deleted? (I am running is safe boot under root user)
MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)
Posted on Sep 19, 2016 10:40 AM
running as root you could delete things that are required for the system
Enabling and using the "root" user in OS X - Apple Support
if you are unsure of the security of your system you should consider backing up
Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support
then reinstalling a clean instance of the OS
About OS X Recovery - Apple Support
and reinstall any application from their original installer file. Then restore your user documents, music and images.
Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support
Any file or files you are either aware of, or not that were added or compensated will be removed form the system in this event without the risk of deleting a key file as a root user.
Posted on Sep 19, 2016 10:46 AM