You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

file will damage your computer. You should move it to the Bin message. Screenshots attached to help remove the message.

Hi guys,


I have been having this problem that this handy guide posted on your Apple Community forum. In short, I dug out my old iMac to be used as a media device in the kitchen and I have started to get these "<file name> will damage your computer. You should move it to the Bin." and it won't go away. I followed the guide mentioned and attached are the 3 screenshots of potential files of issues.


If one of you far more knowledgable folks out there can help me identify the culprit to delete I would appreciate it lots!


Thanks


p.s. I have also attached a screenshot of the type of message that shows up.

iMac 27″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Nov 1, 2024 3:19 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 1, 2024 6:30 AM

Hi there!


Did you try restarting your Mac and then removing the files? Command-click (right-click on the file and choose "Remove immediately...") will remove the file completely, not just move it to the Trash.


Occasionally, malware can trigger these warnings. Use a trusted Mac antivirus app to scan your system. This could be Malwarebytes or Avast. MacKeeper also helped me remove malware multiple times.


You can also boot your Mac in Safe Mode and remove the files.

6 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 1, 2024 6:30 AM in response to BlackNomad1

Hi there!


Did you try restarting your Mac and then removing the files? Command-click (right-click on the file and choose "Remove immediately...") will remove the file completely, not just move it to the Trash.


Occasionally, malware can trigger these warnings. Use a trusted Mac antivirus app to scan your system. This could be Malwarebytes or Avast. MacKeeper also helped me remove malware multiple times.


You can also boot your Mac in Safe Mode and remove the files.

Nov 1, 2024 7:58 AM in response to Ptaxey

No one should trust MacKeeper. Ever.


Yes, I did read your link. MacWorld kept telling people it was great in their reviews, and running ads for it. Even when MacKeeper was more than well know for essentially being malware itself. In other words, money talks.


There are no viruses to detect on a Mac. None. Zero. Nada. It's a complete waste of system resources to run any AV software. The only true viruses they would find would be for Windows. Typically as email attachments. See my user tip for extended information:


What is malware? - Apple Community


A VPN? Garbage. Those are great for collecting marketing data on the user. Free or otherwise. The only VPN you should ever use are those your employer sets up to create a closed, encrypted data tunnel between yourself and their server. Any other use has no use at all since only the data between yourself and the VPN's owner can be encrypted. All other data out of the VPN and back to it for any site you're visiting is entirely in the clear, as if you were using no VPN at all. More reading:


Public VPN's are anything but private.


Clearing cache data? That serves to do nothing but slow your computer down until the cache is rebuilt.


Do yourself and your Mac a favor. Ditch that useless software and any subscription cost for it.


MacKeeper may be less scummy than it used to be, but it's still scareware. As is Norton, CleanMyMac, Avast and any other such junk.

file will damage your computer. You should move it to the Bin message. Screenshots attached to help remove the message.

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.