Is Norton 360 necessary if I run ClearMyMac?

3rd party Anti-Virus software is not necessary for your Mac, and can damage data on your system. macOS has it's own malware protection software included.

Same goes for 3rd party programs that claim to "optimize" your Mac.

Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS,  is an invitation for disaster and comprising the Operating System

There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX  Foundation and Permission Limitation. 

Additionally, and specific to Big Sur macOS 11 and Monterey macOS 12, the Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that can not be opened by the User or “ Bad Actor “ Software.

The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.

Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions 

This will include CleanMyMac , Read the first 600 posting directly connect to this Software

This will included Norton Antivirus , Read the may posting directly connect to this Software

Avast AntiVirus Read the any posting directly connect to this Software

The The Built in Security  is all that is required.

There has been sufficient advise offered for the User ( you ) to make an informed and educated choice what the next course of action is required.

The suggestions have been put forth on a volunteer basis, in good faith and in the best interests of the computer.

I've tried Norton on Mac's with poor success. It often hurts performance also. Norton was designed for Windows and ported to the Mac OS which is likely the cause. If you delete Norton, it does NOT fully delete the program from your Mac. Goggle for how to completely remove Norton as there is a special way to get rid of all the files. If you look at the processes running you will likely see Norton even after you've removed the program.

Generally speaking, I never run any programs that "help" me fix a problem as half the time they fix one thing and create another issue.

How about CleanMyMac?

For what purpose do you think it is needed?

macOS does not require anything else that purports to clean, optimize, protect, or otherwise maintain your Mac. Even if it wasn't a threat to your Mac, it serves no purpose besides separating you from your money.

BrickMyMac might as well be malware, too.

Your Mac can take care of itself. It doesn’t need any “help.” Norton is probably worse than BrickMyMac.

I say to. modern Mac users only have to worry about Trojans! a great personal somewhat free app https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-download because it scan for Trojans on Mac,

Or, just don't install malware. It's not like it can install itself. "But, but, **…, what about adware that hides in legitimate downloads." If it has adware with it, then it isn't legitimate, nor is the website hosting the download.

Hoping something will save you is not the solution to malware. Learning how to use a computer connected to the Internet is the way to solve the malware problem.

LyleFromVegas wrote:

I've tried Norton on Mac's with poor success. It often hurts performance also. Norton was designed for Windows and ported to the Mac OS which is likely the cause. If you delete Norton, it does NOT fully delete the program from your Mac. Goggle for how to completely remove Norton as there is a special way to get rid of all the files. If you look at the processes running you will likely see Norton even after you've removed the program.

I do not need to Google how to completely remove Norton as, after a day's worth of labor, I successfully did that the last time I installed Norton, which at this point, was over 20 years ago. That's why I regularly recommend against anyone else ever installing it.

Personally I agree about Norton, which has been bought by Broadcom as being excessive, and creates a huge problem on corporate networks, because the latest release includes a built-in software firewall that is hard to turn off.

Avast and Malwarebytes are the only malware removal tools I use because their cleanup process tends to be faster than manual cleanup, although I've found I still need to manually remove programs beyond that. That typically includes removing Cleanmymac, and any Macpaw and Zeobit software. When I do a personalized cleanup with someone's computer, I verify that they know the purpose of every program being used before deciding whether or not to remove it.

I am an independent consultant with prior Apple certification.

Generally Norton is just adding problems to your computer and unless you spend a lot of time on adult sites, not necessary.

I say to. modern Mac users only have to worry about Trojans! a great personal somewhat free app https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-download because it scan for Trojans on Mac, besides it's already Universal now! the difference between the free to paid is automatic scanning on paid! The free version just is manual scanning! So what do download the free version to get the current libraries of trojans stops!

Clean my Mac behaves as malware.

Don';t use any third party anti virus programs, it will only make your Mac slow and it has nothing to add

LyleFromVegas wrote:

Generally Norton is just adding problems to your computer and unless you spend a lot of time on adult sites, not necessary.

It's not necessary then, either.

Never use those apps especially Norton

For downloads you can use something like virustotal.com to scan just that file. I am just listing this as an example, there may be others, and I can't really vouch for them. Is that enough caveats? 8^)

For downloads you can use something like virustotal.com to scan just that file. I am just listing this as an example, there may be others, and I can't really vouch for them. Is that enough caveats? 8^)

If you just don't download files from sketchy sites, you don't have to scan them at all. But, a downloaded file, in and of itself, will do nothing on a Mac. I doubt it would even do anything on Windows, anymore.