Downloaded Clean my Mac app two days ago and now my computer is so slow and can't function properly. Have tried to remove the app by clicking on X in the corner or dragging it to the trash but it won't delete these ways. Haven't got a back up on time machine, don't want to restore to factory settings and loose all my docs etc. Anyone got any suggestions for a non tech person.
iMac Pro
Although I completely understand your desire not to erase your Mac and reconfigure it from the ground up, that is in fact the solution I recommend because it is the least time-consuming for Macs that have been hopelessly corrupted by "cleaning" scams. Only you can place a value on your time though, and decide whether that investment is worth saving the data on your Mac. For potentially less drastic measures consider the recovery procedure described below.
Start using Time Machine: Back up your files with Time Machine on Mac. The only people who do not back up their Macs are those who do not care about the information they contain. That's ok, but obviously you're not one of them.
As a category, non-Apple "cleaning" products are scams. Merely uninstalling them, even when performed in strict accordance with their instructions (which often don't work) is usually an insufficient remedy due to the effects of having used them.
Very briefly stated, the recovery procedure from having used such things is as follows, and in the following order:
Since the results of Steps 2-4 are almost always unsatisfactory, I omit them as unnecessarily time-consuming.
An expanded procedure for Step 5 is provided below. Be sure to read everything and understand its implications. Less drastic solutions certainly exist, but this one will probably result in the least amount of your time and need for constant interaction. It is also unequivocally supported by Apple's published documentation, is what a Genius Bar would do if you were to pay them to do it, and it is the exact same procedure I use given a Mac that has been affected by similarly categorized products.
To recover from the effects of having used "CleanMyMac" to modify macOS, the additional software you require and the essential files you need, follow the applicable recovery procedure below:
Although I completely understand your desire not to erase your Mac and reconfigure it from the ground up, that is in fact the solution I recommend because it is the least time-consuming for Macs that have been hopelessly corrupted by "cleaning" scams. Only you can place a value on your time though, and decide whether that investment is worth saving the data on your Mac. For potentially less drastic measures consider the recovery procedure described below.
Start using Time Machine: Back up your files with Time Machine on Mac. The only people who do not back up their Macs are those who do not care about the information they contain. That's ok, but obviously you're not one of them.
As a category, non-Apple "cleaning" products are scams. Merely uninstalling them, even when performed in strict accordance with their instructions (which often don't work) is usually an insufficient remedy due to the effects of having used them.
Very briefly stated, the recovery procedure from having used such things is as follows, and in the following order:
Since the results of Steps 2-4 are almost always unsatisfactory, I omit them as unnecessarily time-consuming.
An expanded procedure for Step 5 is provided below. Be sure to read everything and understand its implications. Less drastic solutions certainly exist, but this one will probably result in the least amount of your time and need for constant interaction. It is also unequivocally supported by Apple's published documentation, is what a Genius Bar would do if you were to pay them to do it, and it is the exact same procedure I use given a Mac that has been affected by similarly categorized products.
To recover from the effects of having used "CleanMyMac" to modify macOS, the additional software you require and the essential files you need, follow the applicable recovery procedure below:
When uninstalling any app please first look for the developers instructions. Here is the link to CMM's instructions:
https://cleanmymac.com/how-to-uninstall-cleanmymac
Also, please know that the BEST antivirus, security, cleaning, maintenance, system cleaning app for Mac OS is Mac OS itself. Simply keep Mac OS up-to-date and otherwise leave it alone. Mac OS does NOT benefit in any way by adding these types of third party apps.
Yes, they are lying. Any so-called security company that doesn't know the difference between a virus, Trojan or worm is a company that shouldn't be trusted.
There are no Mac viruses. Period. Done. End of story.
Virus - malware that self replicates with no user interaction necessary. Hasn't been one for the Mac OS since the release of OS X, 10.0.
Trojan - malware the USER must install in some manner. There are lots of these. Adware, ransomware, back doors, key loggers, fake Flash player downloads and others are all in this category because they all require the USER to install them. They can't get on your computer by themselves.
Worm - smarter version of a virus that actively seeks out other computers across a network. The only known Mac worm was Oompa-Loompa, also known as Leap-A. It has been patched against for over a decade.
Whilst I agree with the comment regarding 3rd party apps, I disagree with your take on Anti Virus. We've had several users accidentally click on e-mails which render Safari's home page useless by replacing it with a search engine lookup. None of the machines with Sophos AV had this problem as it blocked the application.
The Mac whilst immune from most Viruses isn't totally exempt.
AbsoluteComputers wrote:
Whilst I agree with the comment regarding 3rd party apps, I disagree with your take on Anti Virus. We've had several users accidentally click on e-mails which render Safari's home page useless by replacing it with a search engine lookup. None of the machines with Sophos AV had this problem as it blocked the application.
The Mac whilst immune from most Viruses isn't totally exempt.
Please name one virus that affects Macs. You can't because there are none.
Thanks for your advice, I am surprised that Apple allow apps on their app store which clearly aren't what they seem.
+1
I Guess Sophos labs are lying then?
yep
Do politicians lie?
Do product manufacturers make false or misleading claims to increase sales?
Do traveling salesmen fabricate problems in order to sell snake oll?
Yes they are!
You are entitled to your opinion, however almost all experienced users will disagree with you.
If you want a buggy, unstable and slow Mac then by all means install antivirus, cleaning or other third party maintenance apps. If you want a secure, quick and reliable Mac keep Mac OS up-to-date and it should run fine and secure for years.
clean my Mac messed up my iMac
