CCleaner Wiped Out My MacBook Pro

This might be a far-reaching question, but I thought I would try. I used CCleaner to 'delete duplicates' on my MacBook Pro and it basically wiped everything out. I DO NOT USE iCloud. I purchased a couple of recovery softwares, and managed to retrieve things, and have a backup from a year ago but I do not know how to sync up the recovered files to my photo files. I am noticing ALL the photos are still on my iPhone too in memories. Any suggestions about how I can do this? When I turn on Photos on the laptop, it has records of all the photos - but they are not visible since the files were deleted by this stupid cleaner (no their tech support was not helpful to Mac people!).


Does this make sense? Any suggestions?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Nov 15, 2023 10:15 AM

Reply
10 replies

Nov 15, 2023 11:53 AM in response to hedykay

You've learned an important lesson the hard way: here 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.  


Unless you're using a true VPN tunnel, such as between you and your employer's, school's or bank's servers, they provide false security from a privacy standpoint. 


Nov 16, 2023 8:33 AM in response to Old Toad

Thanks for the message. As I indicated in my post, I was using this cleaner to delete duplicate files or unused and unnecessary files. I have been a Mac user for over 35 years. I do not use any virus programs or anything such as that. I had purchased and downloaded a boatload of efiles to sell and there were a crap-ton of duplicates. That was the only reason I was using it (had used it before and never had these issues but have since completely deleted it). I do not purchase anything for my Mac out of fear. Lifelong Apple user, I know all the tactics.


But still did not help me with my conundrum.

Nov 17, 2023 2:54 PM in response to hedykay

Don’t use and not going to use iCloud is essentially the same thing!


Really? Not married means a person is over going to marry? Not dead means you're never going to die? Us ordinary mortals are stuck with the words you use and aren't gifted with mind reading. So no need to get cranky with me.


I don’t use iCloud and don’t plan to.


Okay but you didn't say that in your original post. As Old Toad suggests, it might be worth reconsidering that tantrum even temporarily for the purposes of solving your issue. Or don't. Whatever.


Most people not using iCloud by now are not interested in the future...


Really? You have a source for what most people who don't use iCloud want? Love to know what it is.


...regardless of your opinion on ease of use?


Not sure how that is a question, but I didn't say anything about ease of use. What I did say is that it was the most simple solution to your issue. But that's me just stuck with ordinary words. You should try them sometime.


In any event, you're welcome. Hopefully you'll find a more complex way to achieve your aims. Good luck!

CCleaner Wiped Out My MacBook Pro

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