TBSSIC

Level 1 (5 points)

Unix Executable Files

MacBook Air Sonoma 14.8.9,, Apple M3,, purchased July 2024..

Unix Executable Files,, why now?

Recently I noticed something running in “Login Items” labeled,, “OPEN,, item from unidentified developer.” I didn't put it in “Login Items” or allow it to run on login.. I have no idea how it go there.. I went to “info” and found,, “Unix Executable Files”,, 982 of them,, all loaded 8/4/26,, 3:59pm. Then I went to Finder>Applications and found 99% of the apps were “Last Modified” 8/4/26,, 3:59pm..

Why,, after more than 2 years,, did these “Unix Executable Files” get loaded in to my machine,, why did they modify 99% of the apps,, where did they come from?? Do I need them??

Posted on Oct 11, 2026 8:41 PM

9 replies

MrHoffman

Level 10 (169,253 points)

Oct 14, 2026 5:21 AM in response to TBSSIC

TBSSIC wrote:

WheelieNick or MartinR

I’ve search the community for information on,,, "p.liadm.com" but couldn’t find anything. I was told this shouldn’t be on my machine.. It only shows up in my “Screen Time”.. I don't know why it would be running,, it's not an app,, I don't think? And it only runs for a few seconds.. I’ve searched but can’t find it anywhere else on my machine.. Do you know anything about this item??

Please download and run EtreCheck (the free version, don’t need the paid version here), and use the Share to share the results to the Mac clipboard. Then open a new reply here, and press the Additional Text button (the button that looks like a printed page), and paste and post the hardware and software configuration report here. From that, we can get a little more detail about what is installed and what is running here.

MartinR

Level 7 (27,833 points)

Oct 14, 2026 7:42 AM in response to TBSSIC

p.liadm.com is associated with LiveIntent, which is an advertising tracker. While it's not specifically malware you may still want to remove it (I would).

Download & install Malwarebytes (a legitimate and often recommended app), as it should be able to remove p.liadm.com. You can install & run Malwarebytes manually for free. If you want it to do ongoing scheduled scans you would have to buy it.

WheelieNick

Level 9 (74,110 points)

Oct 12, 2026 5:10 AM in response to TBSSIC

The behavior you are seeing is the result of a macOS operating system update. On August 6, 2026, Apple released the macOS Sonoma 14.8.9 update, which corresponds exactly to the August 4–6 timestamp when your files and 99% of your apps were modified.

MartinR

Level 7 (27,833 points)

Oct 13, 2026 5:59 AM in response to TBSSIC

In addition, macOS is a UNIX-based operating system ... going all the way back to its genesis at NeXT (founded by Steve Jobs), which Apple acquired in 1997 and from which Apple OS X and macOS were developed.

So, yes, if you go looking you will find files identified as UNIX executables. There is nothing to worry about.

TBSSIC Author

Level 1 (5 points)

Oct 13, 2026 10:51 PM in response to WheelieNick

WheelieNick or MartinR

I’ve search the community for information on,,, "p.liadm.com" but couldn’t find anything. I was told this shouldn’t be on my machine.. It only shows up in my “Screen Time”.. I don't know why it would be running,, it's not an app,, I don't think? And it only runs for a few seconds.. I’ve searched but can’t find it anywhere else on my machine.. Do you know anything about this item??

TBSSIC Author

Level 1 (5 points)

Oct 13, 2026 4:55 AM in response to WheelieNick

Thank you much for your timely reply... I thought I might have a bug.. Now I know.. Thanks..

TBSSIC Author

Level 1 (5 points)

Oct 13, 2026 10:35 PM in response to MartinR

Thank you MartinR,, I appreciate your knowledge.

TBSSIC Author

Level 1 (5 points)

Oct 15, 2026 11:45 AM in response to MartinR

Thank you MartinR.. I researched the app.. I'll get it and give it a try...

TBSSIC Author

Level 1 (5 points)

Oct 15, 2026 7:35 PM in response to MrHoffman

MrHoffman,, thank you for your reply.. I took a screen shot and I will research your suggestion..

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256374544