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I'm trying to tidy up some things on my Mac and I've noticed that this thing called "MacPaw" seems to exist. I'd read an article of theirs earlier today and now it seems it's on my Mac somehow. I only noticed this because the new Bitwarden security extension is coming up with a message saying that MacPaw wants access.
When I search in Spotlight, nothing shows up.
How do I get this off my Mac and how did it get on there?
You don't need Bitwarden either. First, 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 documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.
There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs. There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.
Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear. They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware. Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.
There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it. The free version is more than adequate for most users.
Uninstall according to the developer;s instructions any and all apps that fall into the categories at the beginning of my reply. You can check to see if you've removed all of the supporting files by downloading and running the shareware app Find Any File to search for any files with the application's or the developer's name in the file name. For example for CleanMyMac software you'd do the following search(es):
1 - Name contains cleanmymac
2 - Name contains macpaw
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.
You don't need Bitwarden either. First, 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 documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.
There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs. There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.
Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear. They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware. Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.
There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it. The free version is more than adequate for most users.
Uninstall according to the developer;s instructions any and all apps that fall into the categories at the beginning of my reply. You can check to see if you've removed all of the supporting files by downloading and running the shareware app Find Any File to search for any files with the application's or the developer's name in the file name. For example for CleanMyMac software you'd do the following search(es):
1 - Name contains cleanmymac
2 - Name contains macpaw
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.
MacPaw is a Software Company that develops software..
Some of the Infamous Applications include " CleanMyMac " aka " BrickMyMac "
Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS, is an invitation for disaster and comprising the Operating System
Certain Applications maybe available on the Apple Apps Store - this only means the Developer is prepared to pay Apple a portion on each sale. What the Application may do to the computer is up to the User to check this out before purchase
Any of the below should be removed as per Developers Instructions
1 - Disk Cleaner
This will include CleanMyMac , aka “ BrickMyMac “
Read some of the posting and arrive at your own conclusions.
Hi rynalee,
From what you described, it sounds like you're trying to remove a Safari extension on your Mac. Is that correct? If so, try the steps in the link below.
Use Safari extensions on your Mac
To perform the recommended troubleshooting steps via the link above, complete the steps in the section titled "Uninstall or turn off extensions."
Choose Safari > Settings (or Preferences), then click Extensions.
*To turn off an extension, deselect its checkbox.
*To uninstall an extension, select the extension and click the Uninstall button. If you can't determine what an extension does, or you don't expect to use it again, you should uninstall it.
We recommend the steps above because they will show you how to turn off extensions on your Mac.
If the resource above has nothing to do with the type of support you're seeking, provide us more specifics on what you're experiencing, and we'll continue from there.
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.
Cheers!
rynalee wrote:
I have never knowingly installed this program. And never seen it on my computer before, prior to reading an article by them the other day.
I'm not familiar with bitwarden...have you tried to contact bitwarden Support?
I would also consider downloading and running the free version of Malwarebytes.
Thanks, that’s super helpful. I do get stressed, though, when people say to download one program to get rid of or fix another one though 🤔 (Malwarebytes and Find any file). I’ll try to research those. (I’m a bit gun shy, having been affected by all three of the hacks in the last year (Optus, Medibank Private and LastPass.)
I have Bitwarden for password creation and privacy. I suppose I could slow Safari to create and store secure passwords, but I also use Chrome and Firefox, so that wouldn’t work.
thanks for all the info about getting rid of things like the Macpaw properly!
You apparently installed Clean My Mac. Uninstall it according to the developers instructions.
I have never knowingly installed this program. And never seen it on my computer before, prior to reading an article by them the other day.
Additionally to Old Toad's excellent response, here is the link to FAF:
https://apps.tempel.org/FindAnyFile/index.php
Give the free app StrongPassword a try.
Confused about MacPaw
