Sequoia 15.4 refusing to open files - possible malware

Install an antivirus. Macs usually don't need antivirus (despite the fact that they can catch virus). However, it's always a great idea to install one two or three times year, just to run a full deep scan to catch and remove any possible threats. In this case, you should install an antivirus. Avast One Essential is a free good choice. However, if it's a one time only, you can install a better paid antivirus with the free trial. You should, after that, reinstall macOS and, if possible, erase the Mac before (do a Time Machine backup before). After this, you should select manually (to mitigate the risk of transferring again files possibly infected with virus) important files that you have to transfer to your Mac disk. Do not transfer any apps, if possible; always download them manually from the Mac App Store and, if important apps that you use are not there, download them from the internet, only from secure/trustable sources.

I have found a workaround, with no need to change the security settings on my Mac with OS 15.4. At least it worked for me.

I think it is important to tell you that I have loads of .srt files for my business (I am in video production and use .srt subtitles normally and frequently) and I generally open them with TextEdit.

I, too, have received two .srt files that generate the same problem described by the OP. And the difference with other .srt files lies in the fact that the other files are not considered malware.

I tried to open both with Microsoft Word, which is not a recommended application.

I did not proceed when Word asked me to convert the files and canceled the routine.

Then I reopened the .srt files and the warning message was not shown.

I can read them with TextEdit and they are not damaged in any way.

I have no idea how Microsoft Word was able to override the security warning and, in any case, I had checked the files for malware and there was none.

But, hey, at least I do not have to go through the annoying process of "opening anyway".

I have one Mac running Sequoia 15.3.2 which is with an i5 Intel Core. My .srt files open beautifully with TextEdit- always have. Now my iMac Mini running Sequoia version 15.4 but with the M2 Chip refuses to open the same file and considers it malware. Ridiculous! Now I am afraid to update my 15.3.2 to 15.4.1. Does anyone know if the Sequoia version is to blame for this problem or the actual processor? (i.e. Silicon vs Intel)

This file extension change workaround does not work at all on my computer with 15.4.1, where the problem still appears.

I am almost sure the cause of this problem lies in the app where the .srt file was created.

Each app has attributes that are inherited by the resulting files, and I believe all we need is some user here who could tell us how to identify the attribute(s) leading to the original app, so we could let the developer know he or she has to contact Apple to fix this issue.

I have exactly the same problem.

The issue is in place for all *.properties files. As a developer, you have plenty of them. Non of them is downloaded from the Internet but from some repository.

After update to 15.4, none of these file can be open e.g. from Finder.

I have associated BBEdit application for opening all *.properties files. BBEdit application has been installed from App Store. But whenever I try to open any property file, I need to explicitly allow it for each single file, which takes like three click and you need to go to Settings as well. This drives me crazy!

The only thing, which helped was to delete com.apple.quarantine attribute by using xattr command.

But that is just a workaround and of course would never work for any new file.

@Apple - please allow this setting to be system wide - to allow certain files to be opened directly by selected application.

Thx.

Sorry that didn't work. Hopefully someone will have another idea.

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Thanks, John. I saw that one last night while on my iPad, and then the recollection fell out of my ear. 😀

I'll give it a go.

For the record, the workaround is effective only until you shut down the Mac.

When you restart it, the process will have to be repeated.

This is THE fix for this issue. It restored the missing "Anywhere" option on MacOS Sequoia 15.4.1. Thank you!