Unable to update my anti-virus software on my iMAC
Mcfee anti-virus software is trying to update, but it fails each time.
iMac (2017 – 2020)
Mcfee anti-virus software is trying to update, but it fails each time.
iMac (2017 – 2020)
NEVER EVER install third party
· Antivirus Apps
· Cleaning Apps
· Security Apps
· VPN Apps
· Maintenance Apps
on a Mac. Mac OS does not require them and Mac OS does not benefit in any way by installing them. All that adding these types of apps do is have the exact opposite effect that users want. They make Mac OS slow, appear buggy (much like you are experiencing now) and do nothing in return that Mac OS does not already do on its own.
To keep Mac OS stable, quick and secure simply keep Mac OS up-to-date and restart your Mac about 1x per week. Other than that please leave it alone.
Please locate McAfee's uninstall instructions and follow them to the letter. Then restart your computer in Safe Mode. You will find that most experienced users on these forums agree with my assessment.
NEVER EVER install third party
· Antivirus Apps
· Cleaning Apps
· Security Apps
· VPN Apps
· Maintenance Apps
on a Mac. Mac OS does not require them and Mac OS does not benefit in any way by installing them. All that adding these types of apps do is have the exact opposite effect that users want. They make Mac OS slow, appear buggy (much like you are experiencing now) and do nothing in return that Mac OS does not already do on its own.
To keep Mac OS stable, quick and secure simply keep Mac OS up-to-date and restart your Mac about 1x per week. Other than that please leave it alone.
Please locate McAfee's uninstall instructions and follow them to the letter. Then restart your computer in Safe Mode. You will find that most experienced users on these forums agree with my assessment.
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.
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.
So do yourself a favor and instill the McAfee A/V according to the developers instructions. 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 the McAfee software you'd do the following search(es):
1 - Name contains mcafee
2 - Name contains "name of A/V"
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 get warnings that the file can't be deleted because it is in use or used by another app boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and delete from there.
Note: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will assure a successful boot into Safe Mode.
Uninstall it, not recommended, unnecessary and could cause performance issues down the road.
Unable to update my anti-virus software on my iMAC