TotalAV ID Protect blocks app access on computer

kangaroohopper wrote:

Thank you! I'm 83 years old and with all the scams I felt I needed more protection. This has effected my phone also. I can't get into my bank accounts or health apps.I'm nervous about uninstalling it and not screw up

Here is how to remove that app: https://help.totalav.com/en/tech/av/setup/-/av-setup-how-to-uninstall-av

Your nervousness, inexperience, willingness to provide details including your age, your “need to do something!”, and other such will absolutely be exploited to your detriment, too.

Some of the sorts of apps that can be trouble include add-on security apps, add-on VPN apps, and other “security” tools, as too many of these are sketchy.

Put differently, too many of these add-on security apps act and work like malware.

Here are some few of the many scams around: Recognize and avoid social engineering schemes including phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support

Uninstall it. Macs generally do not need antivirus software since it is built into the system. Antivrus and cleaning tools generally cause more problems then they actually help with, as you are finding.

You will have to decide what is more important—the dubious benefits of this software, or being able to actually use your equipment? It's a bit like never daring set foot outside your house because you're afraid of something happening to you. You are wise to be cautious (and frankly age is not a critical factor (or excuse)—many of the top helpers on this forum are well into retirement age) but this is absolutely the kind of thing that marketers will try to use to their advantage.