iwantsimple
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Slowing down...(includes etrecheck)

I just discovered World of Warcraft, and I want to play it on my Macbook Pro, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to upgrade to something else. My mac is about 4 years old, and this last year (and especially after Mavericks!), everything has slowed down. Apps are slow to open, sometimes they just spin and spin when working, and I'm getting frustrated. I *think* I keep everything updated and cleaned up, but maybe I'm missing something. Any advice?

 

Hardware Information:

    MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)

    MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro6,2

    1 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU: 2 cores

    4 GB RAM

 

Video Information:

    Intel HD Graphics - VRAM: 288 MB

    NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M - VRAM: 256 MB

 

System Software:

    OS X 10.9.2 (13C64) - Uptime: 3 days 7:50:21

 

Disk Information:

    Hitachi HTS545032B9SA02 disk0 : (320.07 GB)

        EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

        Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 319.21 GB (67.69 GB free)

        Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB

 

    MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-898 

 

USB Information:

    Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

 

    Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

 

    Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

        Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

 

    Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

 

    Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

 

FireWire Information:

 

Thunderbolt Information:

 

Configuration files:

    /etc/sysctl.conf - Exists

 

Kernel Extensions:

    com.eset.kext.esets_kac    (4.1.86)

 

Startup Items:

    MissingSyncMounting: Path: /Library/StartupItems/MissingSyncMounting

    Privoxy: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Privoxy

    Tor: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Tor

 

Launch Daemons:

    [System]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.backblaze.bzserv.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.cisco.anyconnect.vpnagentd.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.eset.esets_daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.google.GoogleML.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.google.keystone.daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.insynchq.insync.daemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.sierrawireless.SWoCTool.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.smithmicro.schedulerdaemon.plist 3rd-Party support link

 

Launch Agents:

    [System]    com.cisco.anyconnect.gui.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.epson.eventmanager.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [System]    com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist 3rd-Party support link

 

User Launch Agents:

    [not loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link

    [not loaded]    com.backblaze.bzbmenu.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [not loaded]    com.facebook.videochat.[redacted].plist 3rd-Party support link

    [not loaded]    com.google.GoogleContactSyncAgent.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [not loaded]    com.iLike.Agent.plist 3rd-Party support link

    [not loaded]    com.smithmicro.cleaning.schedulermailer.plist 3rd-Party support link

 

User Login Items:

    Google Drive

    Dropbox

    EvernoteHelper

    ESET Cybersecurity

 

Internet Plug-ins:

    Gears: Version: 1.0 3rd-Party support link

    Flash Player: Version: 12.0.0.70 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

    AdobePDFViewer: Version: 9.5.5 3rd-Party support link

    Photo Center Plugin: Version: Upload Plugin 1.0.0.4 3rd-Party support link

    googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.1.4.17398 3rd-Party support link

    iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8

    RealPlayer Plugin: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

    DirectorShockwave: Version: 11.5.6r606 3rd-Party support link

    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 12.0.0.70 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

    AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin1017277: Version: AmazonMP3DownloaderPlugin 1.0.17 3rd-Party support link

    npgtpo3dautoplugin: Version: 0.1.44.29 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

    CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version: Version 1.1.7 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20913.0 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

    Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 6.0 3rd-Party support link

    SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.6 3rd-Party support link

    Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

    o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.1.4.17398 3rd-Party support link

    Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.3.8.1 3rd-Party support link

    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 51 3rd-Party support link

    OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 3rd-Party support link

 

Safari Extensions:

    GMail Counter: Version: 0.9.3

    GmailThis: Version: 2.0

    Pinterest: Version: 1.0

    Print Plus: Version: 1.0.2.0

    Add To Amazon Wish List: Version: 1.8

    Push to Kindle: Version: 1.0

    markerto: Version: 1.0

 

Audio Plug-ins:

    BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9

    AirPlay: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.9

    AppleAVBAudio: Version: 203.2 - SDK 10.9

    iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9

 

iTunes Plug-ins:

    Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9

    MissingSyncPalmiTunesPlugin: Version: 5.1.2 3rd-Party support link

 

User iTunes Plug-ins:

    iLike: Version: 1.0 3rd-Party support link

    PPC Bundle: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

    iLike Bundle: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

    Tiger Bundle: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

 

User Internet Plug-ins:

    fbplugin_1_0_3: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

    Move-Media-Player: Version: npmnqmp 071101000050 3rd-Party support link

    BrowserPlus_2.9.8: Version: 2.9.8 3rd-Party support link

    fbplugin_1_0_1: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

    npBcsMcTcIO: Version: (null) 3rd-Party support link

    Picasa: Version: 1.0 3rd-Party support link

 

3rd Party Preference Panes:

    Backblaze Backup  3rd-Party support link

    BrowserPlus  3rd-Party support link

    Flash Player  3rd-Party support link

    FlexCal  3rd-Party support link

    Flip4Mac WMV  3rd-Party support link

    Java  3rd-Party support link

    Perian  3rd-Party support link

 

Old Applications:

    /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MERP2.0

        Microsoft Error Reporting:    Version: 2.2.9 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Ship Asserts:    Version: 1.1.4 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

    Solver:    Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        /Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Office/Add-Ins/Solver.app

    SLLauncher:    Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Silverlight/OutOfBrowser/SLLauncher.app

    /Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Office

        Open XML for Excel:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Office Setup Assistant:    Version: 14.2.0 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Alerts Daemon:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        SyncServicesAgent:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Database Daemon:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Graph:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Database Utility:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Office Reminders:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Upload Center:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        My Day:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Chart Converter:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Clip Gallery:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

    /Library/Printers/EPSON/InkjetPrinter2/Utility/UT4

        Epson Printer Utility 4:    Version: 9.17 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        EpsonSuppliesTool4:    Version: 8.75 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

    /Applications/Microsoft Office 2011

        Microsoft PowerPoint:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Excel:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Outlook:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Word:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        Microsoft Document Connection:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

    Microsoft Language Register:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

        /Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Additional Tools/Microsoft Language Register/Microsoft Language Register.app

    Microsoft AutoUpdate:    Version: 2.3.6 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

        /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0/Microsoft AutoUpdate.app

    /Applications/iWork '09

    TurboTax Deluxe 2011-Intel:    Version: 2011.r17.007 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

    TurboTax Deluxe 2011:    Version: 2011.r17.007 - SDK 10.4 3rd-Party support link

    Spotify:    Version: 0.8.8.347.gbcec6996 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link

 

Time Machine:

    Skip System Files: NO

    Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

    Time Machine not configured!

 

Top Processes by CPU:

         3%    postbox-bin

         3%    WindowServer

         1%    EtreCheck

         0%    ps

         0%    EEventManager

 

Top Processes by Memory:

    463 MB    postbox-bin

    414 MB    firefox

    119 MB    Finder

    74 MB    mds_stores

    53 MB    WindowServer

 

Virtual Memory Information:

    159 MB    Free RAM

    975 MB    Active RAM

    759 MB    Inactive RAM

    904 MB    Wired RAM

    12.89 GB    Page-ins

    13.75 GB    Page-outs

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Mar 10, 2014 8:26 PM

by Linc Davis,Solvedanswer
Linc Davis Linc Davis
Level 10 (207,963 points)
Applications
A:

Is there a better/less draining alternative?

 

Mac Basics: Time Machine backs up your Mac

 

As for online backup, there are many options. I've never used most of them, but from what I've seen on this site, "Backblaze" seems to be one of the worst. The developer has a bad reputation.

 

Isn't this virus software necessary?

 

1. This is a comment on what you should and should not do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to your computer, or who has been able to log in to it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. If you have reason to suspect that you're the target of such an attack, you need expert help.
  
If you find this comment too long or too technical, read only sections 5, 6, and 10.
  
OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.

2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
   
The following caveats apply to XProtect:
  • It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
  • It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
  
3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
   
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
  • It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
  • A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
  • An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
For the reasons given above, App Store products, and other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandboxing security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
       
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
 
5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "Trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and Internet criminals. If you're smarter than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in practice, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.
  
Software from an untrustworthy source
  • Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent. or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
  • Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website.
  • Rogue websites such as Softonic and CNET Download distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."
  • The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads.
Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
  • Software that you would otherwise have to pay for is "cracked" or "free."
  • An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission.
Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers
  • A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
  • A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.
  • You win a prize in a contest you never entered.
  • Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.
  • A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.
  • Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
Unexpected events
  • You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
  • An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
  • Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.
  
6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
  
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
   
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it — not JavaScript — in your browsers.
   
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.

Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.

7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good, if they do any good at all. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store — nothing else.
  
Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
  • To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. New threats are emerging on a daily basis. Research has shown that most successful attacks are "zero-day" — that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based malware scanners do not defend against such attacks.
  • Their design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere.
  • In order to meet that nonexistent threat, the software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
  • By modifying the operating system, the software itself may create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
8. An anti-malware product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," has the same drawback as the commercial suites of being always out of date, but it does not inject code into the operating system. That doesn't mean it's entirely harmless. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the , or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
    
An anti-virus app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware. Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else.
    
A Windows malware attachment in email is usually easy to recognize without the need for any software; for example:
  
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!!!!H0TBABEZ4U!!!!!!!.AVI♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.exe
   
Software may be able to tell you which particular trojan it is, but do you really care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use recognition software unless an institutional policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in every unknown email attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar App Store product may be useful if an uninformed network administrator says you must have some kind of "anti-virus" application.
  
The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have all the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
  
9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.
    
10. As a Mac user you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither should you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. "Hmmmm, this torrent is a crack of that new game I want. I think I'll download it. It could be a trojan, but the antivirus will warn me if it is." Then they wonder why their Mac is so slow all of a sudden. It's slow because it's running flat out mining bitcoins for a hacker who has already sold their credit card number and banking passwords to a criminal gang. Maybe a week later the antivirus does warn them, but what good does that do?
    
Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

Posted on Mar 11, 2014 10:40 AM

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iwantsimple

Q: Slowing down...(includes etrecheck)

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  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Apr 18, 2015 6:25 PM in response to gongfy
    Level 5 (4,791 points)
    Apr 18, 2015 6:25 PM in response to gongfy

    gongfy wrote:

     

    I couldn't figure out how to start a new post - which is why I ended up replying.

    OK, well I can help with that. You have a choice of using this same Mavericks forum or the MacBook Pro forum and compose a short but complete question that will attract the right people to your issue(s).  You will then see a list of similar topics and at the bottom a Big Blue Box that says "Submit my question to the community". Press the button and begin writing out the details.

    I have heard I need to upgrade RAM and will probably do that.

    To help you make that decision, use Activity Monitor (found in /Applications/Utilities/) using the "Memory" tab and watch the MEMORY PRESSURE graph at the bottom. Details of how to interpret the graph are at How to use Activity Monitor Memory button.

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