Hi, I recently was looking to switch from an all-OptiFine Mod set-up to a Fabric/Iris loadout. When I downloaded [fabric-api-0.43.1+1.18] (from your link to CurseForge) into my mods folder (after downloading the fabric installer), a [.fabric] folder was created with a [processedMods] folder and a [remappedJars] folder inside.

These are the only other Mods that I've authorized and downloaded into my [mods] folder:
fabric-api-0.43.1+1.18
iris-mc1.18.1-1.2.0-pre
lambdynamiclights-2.1.0+1.17
modmenu-3.0.1
okzoomer-5.0.0-beta.3+1.17.1
replaymod-1.18.1-2.6.3
sodium-fabric-mc1.18.1-0.4.0-alpha6+build.14

However, when I launched Minecraft with Fabric 1.18 and open up my Mod menu, I see 8 mods instead of 7. The additional Mod is called "Pride Lib v1.1.0+1.17" By Emi" I have not downloaded this Mod, and I had no idea where it came from. And the buttons to 'visit a website' or 'report an Issue' are both unresponsive/greyed out (see attached photo). Since I work from home, I'm always really protective of my computer and what I download and from where, so this certainly raised a great deal of concern. I do a lot of research into each mod before I download it to be sure it's safe and well-used and approved by the community. But this mod, I can't find anything on it anywhere! I can't even find it on CurseForge by itself.

Naturally in a panic I searched my hidden folders (because again, this is not in my mods folder) and I'm pretty sure I found it, called [pride-1.1.0+1.17-6180eb4d60395097] inside the [processedMods] folder that [fabric-api-0.43.1+1.18] downloaded into my [.minecraft] folder.

I tried manually deleting it, but no matter how many times I delete this mod, "Pride lib," it keeps appearing inside my Mod menu in my Minecraft game. So this is some sort of run-command mod that redownloads itself. It has no purpose, I don't understand the brief description it gives itself in the Mod menu, and I gave no authorization to download this mod. There's no info on it anywhere on the internet or on your download page, and I'd really like the option to at least be able to permanently delete it from my computer. I don't think something like this should be piggy-backing its way into your fabric mod without at least telling people that it's a mod-pack.

But as I said, in the very least, I'd like to be able to delete it, so if you could please either tell me how to permanently do that, or update your next version in the next few days when you can, to make it so that it this mod is not a run-command mod that re-downloads itself then I'd really appreciate it.

Or is this actually a virus that's crept into fabric api, and do I need to bring my computer in?! This is a huge concern for me, because this "mod" is acting exactly like a boot sector virus or a polymorphic virus.

Thank you

Thank you for responding so quickly! So are you saying it's not Fabric api? And if so, I'm not used to looking at logs, would you be so kind as to help me find it?

[13:13:56] [main/INFO]: Loading Minecraft 1.18 with Fabric Loader 0.12.12
[13:13:56] [main/INFO]: Loading 62 mods:
- fabric 0.43.1+1.18
- fabric-api-base 0.4.1+b4f4f6cd14 via fabric
- fabric-api-lookup-api-v1 1.3.5+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-biome-api-v1 6.0.1+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-blockrenderlayer-v1 1.1.9+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-command-api-v1 1.1.6+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-commands-v0 0.2.5+b4f4f6cd14 via fabric
- fabric-containers-v0 0.1.18+d154e2c614 via fabric
- fabric-content-registries-v0 0.4.5+6f53a73d14 via fabric
- fabric-crash-report-info-v1 0.1.8+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-dimensions-v1 2.1.7+43d2957114 via fabric
- fabric-entity-events-v1 1.4.5+6b21378a14 via fabric
- fabric-events-interaction-v0 0.4.15+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-events-lifecycle-v0 0.2.5+b4f4f6cd14 via fabric
- fabric-game-rule-api-v1 1.0.10+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-item-api-v1 1.2.7+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-item-groups-v0 0.3.3+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-key-binding-api-v1 1.0.8+c8aba2f314 via fabric
- fabric-keybindings-v0 0.2.6+b4f4f6cd14 via fabric
- fabric-lifecycle-events-v1 1.4.10+c15ca33514 via fabric
- fabric-loot-tables-v1 1.0.8+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-mining-level-api-v1 1.0.3+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-mining-levels-v0 0.1.7+b4f4f6cd14 via fabric
- fabric-models-v0 0.3.3+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-networking-api-v1 1.0.18+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-networking-v0 0.3.5+b4f4f6cd14 via fabric
- fabric-object-builder-api-v1 1.10.13+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-object-builders-v0 0.7.7+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-particles-v1 0.2.9+526dc1ac14 via fabric
- fabric-registry-sync-v0 0.8.5+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-renderer-api-v1 0.4.9+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-renderer-indigo 0.4.12+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-renderer-registries-v1 3.2.7+b4f4f6cd14 via fabric
- fabric-rendering-data-attachment-v1 0.3.4+7242e9d7c8 via sodium
- fabric-rendering-fluids-v1 0.1.18+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-rendering-v0 1.1.9+b4f4f6cd14 via fabric
- fabric-rendering-v1 1.10.3+6b21378a14 via fabric
- fabric-resource-loader-v0 0.4.11+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-screen-api-v1 1.0.7+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-screen-handler-api-v1 1.1.11+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-structure-api-v1 2.0.8+295197a714 via fabric
- fabric-tag-extensions-v0 1.2.5+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-textures-v0 1.0.9+3ac43d9514 via fabric
- fabric-tool-attribute-api-v1 1.3.4+7de09f5514 via fabric
- fabric-transfer-api-v1 1.5.4+b4f4f6cd14 via fabric
- fabricloader 0.12.12
- iris 1.2.0-pre
- java 17
- lambdynlights 2.1.0+1.17
- libzoomer 0.3.0+1.17.1 via okzoomer
- minecraft 1.18
- modmenu 3.0.1
- okzoomer 5.0.0-beta.3+1.17.1
- org_anarres_jcpp 1.4.14 via iris
- org_aperlambda_lambdajcommon 1.8.1 via spruceui
- org_joml_joml 1.10.2 via sodium
- org_quiltmc_quilt-json5 1.0.0 via okzoomer
- org_slf4j_slf4j-api 1.7.12 via iris
- pride 1.1.0+1.17 via lambdynlights
- replaymod 1.18.1-2.6.3
- sodium 0.4.0-alpha6+build.14
- spruceui 3.3.0+1.17 via lambdynlights
[13:13:56] [main/INFO]: SpongePowered MIXIN Subsystem Version=0.8.4 Source=file:/C:/Users/Kayleigh/AppData/Roaming/.minecraft/libraries/net/fabricmc/sponge-mixin/0.10.7+mixin.0.8.4/sponge-mixin-0.10.7+mixin.0.8.4.jar Service=Knot/Fabric Env=CLIENT
[13:13:57] [main/INFO]: Compatibility level set to JAVA_16
[13:13:57] [main/INFO]: Compatibility level set to JAVA_17
[13:13:57] [main/WARN]: Reference map 'mixins.nonmmlauncher.replaymod.refmap.json' for mixins.nonmmlauncher.replaymod.json could not be read. If this is a development environment you can ignore this message
[13:13:57] [main/INFO]: Loaded configuration file for Sodium: 29 options available, 1 override(s) found
[13:13:57] [main/WARN]: Force-disabling mixin 'features.sky.MixinWorldRenderer' as rule 'mixin.features.sky' (added by mods [iris]) disables it and children
[13:13:57] [main/WARN]: Error loading class: net/optifine/render/ChunkVisibility (java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: net/optifine/render/ChunkVisibility)
[13:13:57] [main/WARN]: Error loading class: shadersmod/client/ShadersRender (java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: shadersmod/client/ShadersRender)
[13:13:57] [main/WARN]: Error loading class: net/optifine/shaders/ShadersRender (java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: net/optifine/shaders/ShadersRender)
[13:13:57] [main/INFO]: Trying to switch memory allocators to work around memory leaks present with Jemalloc 5.0.0 through 5.2.0 on Windows
[13:14:01] [main/WARN]: @Inject(@at("INVOKE")) Shift.BY=3 on fabric-lifecycle-events-v1.mixins.json:client.WorldChunkMixin::handler$zdd000$onLoadBlockEntity exceeds the maximum allowed value: 0. Increase the value of maxShiftBy to suppress this warning.
[13:14:03] [Render thread/WARN]: Method overwrite conflict for method_22920 in sodium.mixins.json:features.buffer_builder.intrinsics.MixinBufferBuilder, previously written by net.coderbot.iris.mixin.vertices.block_rendering.MixinBufferBuilder_SeparateAo. Skipping method.
[13:14:04] [Render thread/INFO]: Environment: authHost='https://authserver.mojang.com', accountsHost='https://api.mojang.com', sessionHost='https://sessionserver.mojang.com', servicesHost='https://api.minecraftservices.com', name='PROD'
[13:14:04] [Render thread/INFO]: Setting user: EvatLeigh
[13:14:05] [Render thread/INFO]: [Indigo] Different rendering plugin detected; not applying Indigo.
[13:14:05] [Render thread/INFO]: [LambDynLights] Initializing LambDynamicLights...
[13:14:05] [Render thread/INFO]: [LambDynLights] Configuration loaded.
[13:14:06] [Render thread/INFO]: Backend library: LWJGL version 3.2.2 build 10
[13:14:08] [Render thread/INFO]: Shaders are disabled because no valid shaderpack is selected
[13:14:08] [Render thread/INFO]: Shaders are disabled
[13:14:09] [Render thread/INFO]: Hardware information:
[13:14:09] [Render thread/INFO]: CPU: 8x Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700K CPU @ 4.00GHz
[13:14:09] [Render thread/INFO]: GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070/PCIe/SSE2 (Supports OpenGL 3.2.0 NVIDIA 471.96)
[13:14:09] [Render thread/INFO]: OS: Windows 10 (10.0)
[13:14:09] [Render thread/WARN]: Method overwrite conflict for getNativeMemoryUsage in sodium.mixins.json:features.debug.MixinDebugHud, previously written by net.coderbot.iris.mixin.MixinDebugScreenOverlay. Skipping method.
[13:14:09] [Render thread/INFO]: Narrator library for x64 successfully loaded
[13:14:10] [Render thread/INFO]: Reloading ResourceManager: Default, Better+Leaves+Add-on+V2.7-1.18.zip, Fabric Mods (Fabric API, Fabric API Base, Fabric API Lookup API (v1), Fabric Biome API (v1), Fabric BlockRenderLayer Registration (v1), Fabric Command API (v1), Fabric Commands (v0), Fabric Containers (v0), Fabric Content Registries (v0), Fabric Crash Report Info (v1), Fabric Dimensions API (v1), Fabric Entity Events (v1), Fabric Events Interaction (v0), Fabric Events Lifecycle (v0), Fabric Game Rule API (v1), Fabric Item API (v1), Fabric Item Groups (v0), Fabric Key Binding API (v1), Fabric Key Bindings (v0), Fabric Lifecycle Events (v1), Fabric Loot Tables (v1), Fabric Mining Level API (v1), Fabric Mining Levels (v0), Fabric Models (v0), Fabric Networking API (v1), Fabric Networking (v0), Fabric Object Builder API (v1), Fabric Object Builders (v0), Fabric Particles (v1), Fabric Registry Sync (v0), Fabric Renderer API (v1), Fabric Renderer - Indigo, Fabric Renderer Registries (v1), Fabric Rendering Data Attachment (v1), Fabric Rendering Fluids (v1), Fabric Rendering (v0), Fabric Rendering (v1), Fabric Resource Loader (v0), Fabric Screen API (v1), Fabric Screen Handler API (v1), Fabric Structure API (v1), Fabric Tag Extensions (v0), Fabric Textures (v0), Fabric Tool Attribute API (v1), Fabric Transfer API (v1), Fabric Loader, Iris, LambDynamicLights, LibZoomer, Mod Menu, Ok Zoomer, Pride Lib, Replay Mod, Sodium, SpruceUI), replaymod_lang
[13:14:10] [Render thread/INFO]: [Ok Zoomer] owO what's this
[13:14:13] [Render thread/INFO]: OpenAL initialized on device OpenAL Soft on Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)
[13:14:13] [Render thread/INFO]: Sound engine started
[13:14:13] [Render thread/INFO]: Created: 1024x1024x4 minecraft:textures/atlas/blocks.png-atlas
[13:14:13] [Render thread/INFO]: Created: 256x128x4 minecraft:textures/atlas/signs.png-atlas
[13:14:13] [Render thread/INFO]: Created: 1024x512x4 minecraft:textures/atlas/banner_patterns.png-atlas
[13:14:13] [Render thread/INFO]: Created: 1024x512x4 minecraft:textures/atlas/shield_patterns.png-atlas
[13:14:13] [Render thread/INFO]: Created: 256x256x4 minecraft:textures/atlas/chest.png-atlas
[13:14:13] [Render thread/INFO]: Created: 512x256x4 minecraft:textures/atlas/beds.png-atlas
[13:14:13] [Render thread/INFO]: Created: 512x256x4 minecraft:textures/atlas/shulker_boxes.png-atlas
[13:14:14] [Render thread/INFO]: Created: 256x256x0 minecraft:textures/atlas/particles.png-atlas
[13:14:14] [Render thread/INFO]: Created: 256x256x0 minecraft:textures/atlas/paintings.png-atlas
[13:14:14] [Render thread/INFO]: Created: 256x128x0 minecraft:textures/atlas/mob_effects.png-atlas
[14:14:50] [Render thread/INFO]: Stopping!

Mods are able to include other mods within them, using somehting commonly known as "jar in jar". The processedMods folder you mentioned is where these mods are extracted to. You should be able to find the mod that is including it by looking in the log file.

Mod menu may be able to add a feature that shows the parent mod for nested mods.

No, its not fabric api, as you can see in that log:

pride 1.1.0+1.17 via lambdynlights

The mod "LambDynamicLights" includes the pride library/mod to help it function correctally. Removing the LambDynamicLights will also remove this mod, however you may wish to keep it now that you know where its coming from.

Ah, thank you so much, I really appreciate the help!
I feel much better knowing I don't have a virus! ^.^