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User profile for user: HF_NYC
HF_NYC Author
User level: Level 1
15 points

Intego Anti-virus and CleanMyMac

Hi,


I have been having problems with slowness which lead me to Etrecheck which has now lead to a couple questions about anti-virus software and/or optimization software. I have both Intego anti-virus and CleanMyMac installed on my Mac Pro 2019. After searching these in the forum it is clear that the Mac specialists out here do not like these applications. Some appear to hate them.


1) With regard to CleanMyMac, if it is causing my slowness I don't have the expertise to argue against the hypothesis but I used it on my older Mac Pro 2009. I bought the software in early 2019 so my Mac was ten years old and when I ran the software it found 774 gigabytes of junk to erase. Yes, 774 gigabytes. My primary drive was almost full and that clean up cleared up about 60% more space. According to the About My Mac menu option, most of those files were classified as “Other”. I don't have a computer science degree so I would not feel comfortable deleting tons of files from an “Other” category. If I don't use CleanMyMac how can I be assured that I will be able to clean up and delete files that are no longer needed?


2) With regard to Intego Anti-virus software, I am already of the belief that it is slowing my Mac. I have been thinking of removing it and after searching for comments here I saw the posts by Linc Davis (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7613914 ). I need to review in more detail, but at the moment the idea of removing the anti-virus concerns me. I do get excel, word and pdf files from other people and just started learning Python so I have found myself downloading libraries etc from coding websites which are not familiar to me. Doing this without some kind of anti-virus makes me feel exposed. Is that concern misplaced?


Also with regard to the firewall, my understanding is that the Apple firewall stops incoming connections but the Intego package also stops outgoing. I prefer to limit the amount of tracking that is done on my activity but also generally thought it was helpful to stop Adobe, Microsoft, Citrix and many others from making outgoing connections every time I turn my Mac on. I guess the feeling by the experts here is that the outgoing connections are not a problem?

Mac Pro, macOS 11.2

Posted on Feb 17, 2021 10:47 AM

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User profile for user: Old Toad
Old Toad
User level: Level 10
208,111 points

Feb 17, 2021 11:57 AM in response to HF_NYC

My additional 2¢ worth:


There is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac.  This user tip describes what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community   


After uninstalling the software according to the developer's instructions you can check to see if you've removed all of the supporting files by downloading and running the shareware Find Any File to search for any files with the application's name  and the developer's name in the file name.  For the two softwares you're concerned about you'd do the following search(es): 


1 - Name contains cleanmymac

2 - Name contains macpaw

3 - Name contains intego


Any files that are found can be dragged from the search results window to the Desktop or Trash bin in the Dock for deletion.


FAF can search areas that Spotlight can't like invisible folders, system folders and packages.  


If you have problems removing any files boot into Safe Mode by booting with the Shift key held down and remove them from there.  Then reboot normally.


NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 10 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files



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User profile for user: HF_NYC
HF_NYC Author
User level: Level 1
15 points

Feb 17, 2021 1:05 PM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for the rapid fire response, its clear people here do not like cleaning or anti-virus applications. However, my questions were not answered.


The link for "Effective defenses against malware and other threats” essentially asks users to operate in unattainable conditions.


1) In the first bullet under how to protect my mac it says all products that claim to clean up Macs are scams. As I explained in my post I used it on my old Mac and removed 774 gigabytes of files. The performance of my Mac improved after running the software. I ended up buying the New Mac Pro a year later so maybe I would have had a problem down the road, but the issue for me is that there was real improvement and I do not know how I would manually clean up files on my own since I do not have the technical knowledge to know whether or not certain files can be deleted. So, how can I perform this task without this kind of software?


2) As the link goes further into anti-virus protection it says things like don't install pirated software, don't use internet searches for technical support, don't install java, don't use extensions, don't click on links in an email. If I knew software was bad I of course would not install it, but there are many cases where you don't know. As I mentioned in my post I am learning Python and learning how to use the code is all about searching the internet for help. Sometimes I have to download a library from a tech or coding webpage. Then there are all the random files from friends, family or work colleagues who might be using a windows PC.


I also have to use Java for certain work related applications and while I of course try to avoid clicking on random links in emails on rare occasions I still do (e.g., this link from friend so and so is probably hilarious). If we are living in this environment where we cannot follow the proposed rules without exception what do we do in that case? Live with the risk, use anti-virus software or something else?

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User profile for user: BobTheFisherman
BobTheFisherman
User level: Level 9
79,699 points

Feb 17, 2021 1:13 PM in response to HF_NYC

You came here looking for advice and you were provided relevant opinions and experience from senior contributors. This is not a debate community. If someone happens by who has the same opinion as you and thinks they can not operate securely without third party apps please feel free to heed their advice, regardless how mistaken it could be.

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Intego Anti-virus and CleanMyMac

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