SteveH

Q: Application Slow To Load

Hello:

 

OK - in the first 24 hour period I've been using Mavericks - the following has been slow to load:

 

Firefox

Thunderbird - also slow to react during use.

 

Also, the desktop is taking a bit longer to fully load.

 

I do have some third party software installed:  AVG Anti Virus, TotalFinder

 

Is what I've discribed normal for Mavericks?

 

Thanks

Mac mini, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3), 8GB 320HD Verizone DSL

Posted on Jun 14, 2014 7:38 PM

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Q: Application Slow To Load

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  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Jun 15, 2014 4:05 AM in response to SteveH
    Level 7 (30,924 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 4:05 AM in response to SteveH

    Is what I've discribed normal for Mavericks?

     

    No.

     

    Get rid of AVG. It's pretty bad on the Mac (only detected 61% of 188 malware samples I threw at it in January), and is probably causing at least some of the problem.

     

    I don't know anything about TotalFinder... their site claims it is compatible with Mavericks, but any third-party software can be suspect with problems like these, and that one seems to directly hack the Finder, so it would be reasonable to try removing it.

     

    If removing those doesn't help, see my Mac Performance Guide for some more suggestions.

     

    (Fair disclosure: The Safe Mac is my site, and contains a Donate button, so I may receive compensation for providing links to The Safe Mac. Donations are not required.)

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Jun 15, 2014 4:23 AM in response to SteveH
    Level 9 (50,796 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 15, 2014 4:23 AM in response to SteveH

    SteveH wrote:

     

    Hello:

     

    OK - in the first 24 hour period I've been using Mavericks - the following has been slow to load:

     

    Firefox

    Thunderbird - also slow to react during use.

     

    Also, the desktop is taking a bit longer to fully load.

     

    I do have some third party software installed:  AVG Anti Virus, TotalFinder

    And?

     

    There is probably more, run the Etrecheck app and post the report here.

     

    Thunderbird has no Mavericks compatible version as far as I know.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jun 15, 2014 8:32 AM in response to SteveH
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Jun 15, 2014 8:32 AM in response to SteveH

    Is what I've discribed normal for Mavericks?

     

    It's normal in the sense that if you bog down the system with worthless "anti-virus" software and interface hacks such as "Total Finder," then it will be slow and unstable.

  • by SteveH,

    SteveH SteveH Jun 15, 2014 10:06 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (119 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 10:06 AM in response to Csound1

    Where do I find the Etrecheck app?

  • by SteveH,

    SteveH SteveH Jun 15, 2014 10:07 AM in response to thomas_r.
    Level 1 (119 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 10:07 AM in response to thomas_r.

    OK - I'm doing the download again to get the uninstaller.

     

    Can you reccommend an AV for Mavericks?

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jun 15, 2014 10:09 AM in response to SteveH
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Jun 15, 2014 10:09 AM in response to SteveH
    1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the computer, or who has been able to log in to it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
      
    If you find this comment too long or too technical, read only sections 5, 6, and 10.
      
    OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.

    2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
      
    The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
       
    The following caveats apply to XProtect:
    • It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
    • It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
    As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
      
    3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
       
    Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
    • It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
    • A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
    • An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
    Apple has so far failed to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. These failures don't involve App Store products, however.
      
    For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandbox security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
           
    4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
     
    5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, and a technological fix is not going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.
      
    The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "Trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the scam artists. If you're smarter than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in practice, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.
      
    Software from an untrustworthy source
    • Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent. or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
    • Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, your browser, or anything else.
    • Rogue websites such as Softonic and CNET Download distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."
    • The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.
    Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
    • High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."
    • An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission.
    Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers
    • A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
    • A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.
    • You win a prize in a contest you never entered.
    • Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.
    • A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.
    • Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
    Unexpected events
    • You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
    • An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
    • Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
    I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.
      
    6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
      
    Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
       
    Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable itnot JavaScript—in your browsers.
       
    Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.

    Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.

    7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" (AV) or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they are all worse than useless. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.
      
    Why shouldn't you use commercial AV products?
    • To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.
    • Its design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere. In order to meet that nonexistent threat, commercial AV software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
    • By modifying the operating system, the software may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
    • Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous.
    8. An AV product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," has the same drawback as the commercial suites of being always out of date, but it does not inject low-level code into the operating system. That doesn't mean it's entirely harmless. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
        
    An AV app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.
       
    Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:
      
    London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe
       
    You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an institutional policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in every email attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must run some kind of AV application. It's free and it won't handicap the system.
      
    The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have all the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
      
    9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.
        
    10. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.
  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Jun 15, 2014 10:20 AM in response to SteveH
    Level 9 (50,796 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 15, 2014 10:20 AM in response to SteveH
  • by thomas_r.,Helpful

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Jun 15, 2014 12:28 PM in response to SteveH
    Level 7 (30,924 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 12:28 PM in response to SteveH

    Can you reccommend an AV for Mavericks?

     

    I don't necessarily recommend one. You've got to learn to protect yourself first and foremost. See my Mac Malware Guide.

     

    (Fair disclosure: The Safe Mac is my site, and contains a Donate button, so I may receive compensation for providing links to The Safe Mac. Donations are not required.)

  • by SteveH,

    SteveH SteveH Jun 15, 2014 4:43 PM in response to Linc Davis
    Level 1 (119 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 4:43 PM in response to Linc Davis

    Thank you so much for the comprehensive inforamtion.  I've uninstalled AVG.

     

    I'm trying to locate Etrecheck app.

  • by SteveH,

    SteveH SteveH Jun 15, 2014 4:53 PM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (119 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 4:53 PM in response to Csound1

    I thought EtreCheck was an app included with Mavericks, did not understand that it was a download - but, her is the report

     

     

    EtreCheck version: 1.9.12 (48)

    Report generated June 15, 2014 at 7:46:25 PM EDT

     

    Hardware Information:

        Mac mini (Mid 2010) (Verified)

        Mac mini - model: Macmini4,1

        1 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2 cores

        8 GB RAM

     

    Video Information:

        NVIDIA GeForce 320M - VRAM: 256 MB

            DELL P170S 1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz

     

    System Software:

        OS X 10.9.3 (13D65) - Uptime: 0 days 0:40:47

     

    Disk Information:

        TOSHIBA MK3255GSXF disk0 : (320.07 GB)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

            Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 319.21 GB (249.68 GB free)

            Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>: 650 MB

     

        HL-DT-STDVDRW  GA32N 

     

    USB Information:

        Generic USB Storage

        Logitech USB Optical Mouse

        ALCOR Generic USB Hub

            Macally Peripherals  Macally iKeySlim

        Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

        Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

     

    Configuration files:

        /etc/sysctl.conf - Exists

     

    Gatekeeper:

        Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Kernel Extensions:

        [loaded]    com.Logitech.Control Center.HID Driver (3.9.1 - SDK 10.8) Support

        [not loaded]    com.Logitech.Unifying.HID Driver (1.3.0 - SDK 10.6) Support

        [loaded]    com.bresink.driver.BRESINKx86Monitoring (7.0) Support

        [not loaded]    com.elgato.driver.DontMatchAfaTech (1.1) Support

        [not loaded]    com.elgato.driver.DontMatchCinergy450 (1.1) Support

        [not loaded]    com.elgato.driver.DontMatchCinergyXS (1.1) Support

        [not loaded]    com.elgato.driver.DontMatchEmpia (1.1) Support

        [not loaded]    com.elgato.eyetv.ClassicNotSeizeDriver (1.1.2) Support

        [not loaded]    com.microsoft.driver.MicrosoftKeyboard (7.0.0) Support

        [not loaded]    com.microsoft.driver.MicrosoftKeyboardBluetooth (7.0.0) Support

        [not loaded]    com.microsoft.driver.MicrosoftKeyboardUSB (7.0.0) Support

     

    Startup Items:

        AvgNetShieldLoader: Path: /Library/StartupItems/AvgNetShieldLoader

        BRESINKx86Monitoring: Path: /Library/StartupItems/BRESINKx86Monitoring

        Cocktail: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Cocktail

     

    Launch Daemons:

        [loaded]    anacron.plist Support

        [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

        [loaded]    jp.co.canon.MasterInstaller.plist Support

     

    Launch Agents:

        [running]    com.brother.LOGINserver.plist Support

        [running]    com.epson.epw.agent.plist Support

        [failed]    com.epson.esua.launcher.plist Support

        [running]    com.Logitech.Control Center.Daemon.plist Support

        [loaded]    com.stellar.SpeedUpMacLauncher.plist Support

     

    User Launch Agents:

        [not loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support

        [not loaded]    com.avast.install.plist Support

        [not loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support

        [not loaded]    com.leadertech.PowerRegister.LGT2.c59807af95d106639fca8f10676ced62.plist Support

        [not loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.helperTool.plist Support

        [not loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.trashSizeWatcher.plist Support

        [not loaded]    com.macpaw.CleanMyMac.volumeWatcher.plist Support

     

    User Login Items:

        AdobeResourceSynchronizer

        Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector EX

        EyeTV Helper

        TotalFinder

        RealPlayer Downloader Agent

     

    Internet Plug-ins:

        FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 13.0.0.214 - SDK 10.6 Support

        EPPEX Plugin: Version: 10.0 Support

        AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.07 - SDK 10.6 Support

        AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.07 - SDK 10.6 Support

        Flash Player: Version: 13.0.0.214 - SDK 10.6 Outdated! Update

        Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

        NP_2020Player_WEB: Version: 5.0.91.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

        QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

        Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30214.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

        DirectorShockwave: Version: 12.1.0r150 - SDK 10.6 Support

        iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.7

     

    Safari Extensions:

        AVG LinkScanner: Version: 12.0.1802

     

    Audio Plug-ins:

        BluetoothAudioPlugIn: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9

        AirPlay: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.9

        AppleAVBAudio: Version: 203.2 - SDK 10.9

        iSightAudio: Version: 7.7.3 - SDK 10.9

     

    iTunes Plug-ins:

        Quartz Composer Visualizer: Version: 1.4 - SDK 10.9

     

    User Internet Plug-ins:

        LogitechDeviceDetection: Version: 1.0.0.76 - SDK 10.7 Support

        Move_Media_Player: Version: npmnqmp 071701000001 Support

        RealPlayer Plugin: Version: (null) Support

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes:

        RCDefaultApp

        Flash Player  Support

        Flip4Mac WMV  Support

        Logitech Control Center  Support

     

    Time Machine:

        Skip System Files: NO

        Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

        Volumes being backed up:

        Destinations:

            SL [Local] (Last used)

            Total size: 0 B

            Total number of backups: (null)

            Size of backup disk: Excellent

                Backup size 0 B > (Disk size 0 B X 3)

        Time Machine details may not be accurate.

        All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

     

    Top Processes by CPU:

             4%    WindowServer

             1%    fontd

             0%    RealPlayer Downloader Agent

             0%    SystemUIServer

             0%    Finder

     

    Top Processes by Memory:

        287 MB    firefox

        156 MB    com.apple.IconServicesAgent

        82 MB    Finder

        74 MB    mds_stores

        49 MB    Dock

     

    Virtual Memory Information:

        5.44 GB    Free RAM

        983 MB    Active RAM

        754 MB    Inactive RAM

        628 MB    Wired RAM

        279 MB    Page-ins

        0 B    Page-outs

  • by thomas_r.,

    thomas_r. thomas_r. Jun 15, 2014 5:51 PM in response to SteveH
    Level 7 (30,924 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 5:51 PM in response to SteveH

    You still have a component of AVG installed. You also have Avast installed, or had it installed and didn't remove it properly. It should be removed, as it is extremely prone to false positives, even identifying legit system files as malicious. Finally, you have CleanMyMac installed, which should never be used. Macs do not require any kind of "cleaning" of the kind that this class of utilities offer, and in fact, that kind of thing is more prone to causing problems than solving anything.

  • by SteveH,

    SteveH SteveH Jun 15, 2014 7:06 PM in response to thomas_r.
    Level 1 (119 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 7:06 PM in response to thomas_r.

    Thank you for pointing these finding out to me, I was not aware that I still had those itmes installed.

    I do not see them in my Application folder or in my Downloads folder.

     

    How do I find them & how do I remove them correctly?

  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Jun 15, 2014 7:11 PM in response to SteveH
    Level 5 (5,707 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 7:11 PM in response to SteveH
  • by dianeoforegon,

    dianeoforegon dianeoforegon Jun 15, 2014 7:12 PM in response to SteveH
    Level 5 (5,707 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2014 7:12 PM in response to SteveH

    The forums are full of users with computers that no longer work correctly after running these so call 'cleaners' (Memory Clean, CleanMyMac, and MacKeeper). Do not install any third party so called Mac cleaning utilities. They can do harm to your Mac.

     

     

    See this thread for removing Clean My Mac

     

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/message/25680635#25680635

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