Launcher/Autostart is a legitimate operating system mechanism that starts a program automatically at login, after boot, or when a user session begins. On macOS, this can include login items, LaunchAgents, LaunchDaemons, and other startup paths that are meant to help approved software run without manual action.
In cyber security, this matters because attackers often abuse the same trusted startup surfaces to keep malware running after a reboot. A fake updater, for example, may place a malicious component in an autostart location so it relaunches quietly and blends in with normal system activity. Defenders look for unknown startup entries, suspicious update-themed names, and binaries launched from unusual paths. Monitoring these mechanisms helps expose persistence, especially when malware disguises itself as routine maintenance or a legitimate helper app.