ONLY as a good " helper " to my colleague @ neuroanatomist
Part 1 of 2
To avoid a game of 20 questions
Download the Application Etrecheck ( External Link ) directly from the Developer.
This is a Diagnostic Tool that makes no changes to the computer.
It makes a coherent and readable inventory of both the Hardware and Software used on the computer
The application is free or paid for added features.
The Report will Not Reveal Any Personal Information.
Post back the Full Report - Share Report >> Copy , then paste >>>> using the Additional Text Icon <<<<
Part 2 of 2
There are 4 Categories of Third Party Software / Services that are not needed
Get rid of them via the Developers Instruction
In no special order
Third Party 2 Way Firewalls
like Lulu and Little Snitch
Commercial VPNs
They may not be what one believes they are doing for the computer and what they actually are doing behind the scenes and unbeknownst to the user ( you )
They may also reduce your Internet Speeds by upwards of 30%
https://gist.github.com/joepie91/5a9909939e6ce7d09e29
VPN: What you need to know - Apple Community
Third Party Security Software
There are no known Windows-like Viruses in the wild that self replicate and affect macOS, because of the underling UNIX Foundation and Permission Limitation.
The Operating System resides in a Sealed and Read Only Volume that cannot be opened by the User nor by Third Party Applications.
The Only thing this Antivirus software is protecting is the Bank Account of the Developers and for zero return to the User aside from the problems this software creates.
Mac app security enhancements
The Built in Security is all that is required to protect the computer.
Protecting against malware in macOS
Third Party Disk Cleaners / Optimizer
Any Third Party Applications that will interfere with the normal operation of the OS, is an invitation for disaster.
Certain Applications maybe available on the Apple Apps Store - this only means the Developer is prepared to pay Apple a percentage on each sale.
What the Application may do to the computer is up to the User to check this out before purchase
To put the Third Party Disk Cleaner / Optimizer in context and the damages it may have or has already done.
This type of applications can or will Muck Up your User Account ( Home Folder ) of this machine.
It does not touch the Operating System itself, unless you consider your User Account ( Home Folder ) as part of the Operating System.
Then to user’s environment has been badly compromised to the extent that the whole system is unstable and unreliable
