Looks like it is nothing to worry about:
A /.nofollow folder on macOS is a "magic" system construct, often appearing in root directory scans (e.g.,
Bitdefender,
MacScripter), designed to prevent security issues by attaching a "no follow" flag to paths, forcing security checks on symbolic links. It often appears as an empty or redundant container in Finder but can cause excessively long, or seemingly endless, scans in third-party, anti-virus apps.
Key Aspects of .nofollow in macOS
- Purpose: It acts as a safety mechanism, ensuring that system calls interacting with file paths follow strict security protocols, specifically preventing the "following" of symlinks.
- Why It Appears: This can be triggered by system updates or when certain applications, including antivirus scanners like Bitdefender or backup software, interact with file paths in a way that triggers this security mechanism.
- Behavior in Finder: When viewed in Finder, the .nofollow folder often appears empty, even though scanning software might report it as holding a full copy of the disk.
- Solution for Scanners: If an antivirus scan is taking forever due to this, Bitdefenderand other forums advise adding the /.nofollow path to your scanner's exclusion list.
- Do Not Delete: It is not a file you should try to delete; it is a system-level construct.
It is part of Apple's
System Integrity Protection (SIP) designed to maintain system security.
