MacOS issue (Sequoia 15.4.1 and earlier)

the Web browser malfunctions are definitely at the tip of the problem. It was the malfunctioning of other core apps and third party programs that made me think it was of a systemic issue. the apps eventually load, but they don't behave as they should, usually in the form of being very slow. In the case of apps like Outlook, it loads, it says it's connected.....but it's impossible to read emails, even via Reading pane. It feels like some core process has gone off the rails and only a full restart resolves it. I checked Safari extensions. At present none are active.

(5 of 8 are your typical privacy extensions). Everything's fine, until it isn't, and it doesn't manifest with each change of location. For example this morning, everything's fine, despite having gone from a local cafe wifi to my home wifi. <smh>

I don't use Apple mail, favoring the Office 365 suite. When Outlook also showed signs of networking issues, closing and restarting the app did not impact the problem leading to the inevitable reboot. In Activity monitor there didn't seem to be a correlation between the Outlook processes and network activity.

Just to bring the subject back up given all the focus on networking.....it remains strange that every time this issue manifests.....sound fails for the OS as well as the issues with web browsers and (sometimes) mail programs.

My former company chose Netskope always on VPN as the new solution (vs. RSA) and we also experienced issues at times when either the VPN updated or MacOS updated. Usually it would involve the breaking of SMB file shares and access to Intranet sites. In most cases the Netskope engineering team had to quick fix it. I found SMB sharing particularly frustrating while doing pilot testing. Often after an update SMB's would not connect and even when manually re-establishing one would get an error. I would have to attempt several times, checking and doublechecking that command line entries are correct per Apple. Often after a few tries it would just "start" working again, but not before one generated a few more grey hairs.

I am starting to really miss RSA. :p

thanks for the input. I disagree on the need for AV. Mac's are not immune, and they are increasingly targeted. Its also too often an easy point to say...oh that is your issue. I had BD on this mac for a long time before the issue manifested and on my previous Macbook Pro (M1) that never had this issue. I am suspecting that my OS may be corrupted after multiple upgrades. If no other answers become apparent, that is probably my next step.

Hi,

BD auto updates. Admittedly, i suggested a possible corruption issue as a theory. It could very well be a bug too. I've run into a couple issues with the last major version of MacOS involving the GUI. Future micro updates resolved the issues.

At this point i'm just trying to fact find. As i mentioned, there was a very similar issue reported 3yr ago involving Safari/other browsers that is almost a match for the phenomenon I am seeing. The disparity though is that clearly it's not just an issue involving web browsers but other elements of the OS that also malfunction at the same time. Also the only offered solution was a web dev. program which i don't have.

I appreciate any feedback though. so thanks.

Hi,

Thanks. I have read the linked articles. Standard practices to protect your computer. I realize i have made an error here. I mentioned that an AV was installed. The reaction is always the same. First, its unnecessary, Second, a likely culprit. Fine.

In the end, there is no proof that the BD program is the culprit. Secondly, in terms of claims that say MacOS is incorruptible. Well....ok. I've heard all that before too.

I respect the opinions viewed here. Still, what i originally asked was......has anyone else experienced this phenomenon. A almost exact situation was reported 3yrs ago. My investigation is ongoing but i figured there is no shame in asking a community for help. So far though....all i've gotten is.....essentially mild rebukes and assumptions. I don't use cleaners, or otherwise magic fixes. All i'm guilty of, is using an AV. I use an AV on Windows, and Linux, and MacOS. I appreciate that some think that is foolhardy.

Fine. Can we move past the AV and speculate on why this problem may be occurring since there were similar issues reported prior?

I should clarify that the issue i've reported in this thread does not involve any VPN solutions. The Netskope issue i mentioned was for corporate linked Macs that I managed via JAMF/ABM. VPN issues also have distinctive symptoms, usually involving access to Intranet(internal) resources.

My personal Mac is the one having the issue i reported off and on. Interestingly it's been over a week now since it last manifested. I've been testing both Sleep mode and low power mode. Right now, the gremlin appears to be sleeping.