Glenn Greenway1

Q: What do I do with the results of EtreCheck if I am trying to be proactive? <embarrassed grin> Can anyone help?

Good morning. This is my machine: 

EtreCheck version: 1.9.12 (48)

Report generated July 31, 2014 at 6:52:07 AM EDT

 

Hardware Information:

  iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) (Verified)

  iMac - model: iMac11,2

  1 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3 CPU: 2 cores

  16 GB RAM

 

Video Information:

  ATI Radeon HD 5670 - VRAM: 512 MB

  iMac 1920 x 1080

 

System Software:

  OS X 10.9.4 (13E28) - Uptime: 2 days 0:35:41

 

Disk Information:

  APPLE HDD HUA722010CLA330 disk0 : (1 TB)

  EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted>: 209.7 MB

  Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / [Startup]: 999.35 GB (886.28 GB free)

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

 

  OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H 

 

USB Information:

  Apple Internal Memory Card Reader

  Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub

  Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

  SAMSUNG SAMSUNG_Android

  Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

  Apple Inc. Built-in iSight

 

FireWire Information:

  LaCie Rugged FW/USB 800mbit - 800mbit max

  disk1s1 (disk1s1) <not mounted>: 32 KB

  LaCie (disk1s3) /Volumes/LaCie: 499.97 GB (139.69 GB free)

 

Gatekeeper:

  Mac App Store and identified developers

 

Launch Daemons:

  [loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist Support

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

  [loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist Support

  [loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist Support

 

Launch Agents:

  [not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support

  [loaded] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist Support

  [running] com.brother.LOGINserver.plist Support

  [loaded] com.divx.dms.agent.plist Support

  [loaded] com.divx.update.agent.plist Support

  [loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support

  [loaded] com.hp.help.tocgenerator.plist Support

 

User Launch Agents:

  [loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support

  [loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist Support

  [failed] com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

  [not loaded] com.google.Chrome.framework.plist Support

 

User Login Items:

  iTunesHelper

  MacLWSLauncher

  AdobeResourceSynchronizer

  EvernoteHelper

  Caffeine

  Android File Transfer Agent

  Dropbox

  VerizonUpdateCenter

  WidgetRunner

  Google Drive

  RealPlayer Downloader Agent

  EvernoteHelper

  Kodak Share Button Agent

  HP Product Research

  HPEventHandler

 

Internet Plug-ins:

  o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.4.2.18903 Support

  OVSHelper: Version: 1.1 Support

  Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9

  Flip4Mac WMV Plugin: Version: 2.4.4.2 Support

  RealPlayer Plugin: Version: (null) Support

  AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.07 - SDK 10.6 Support

  FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support

  DivX Web Player: Version: 3.2.1.977 - SDK 10.6 Support

  Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20513.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

  Flash Player: Version: 14.0.0.145 - SDK 10.6 Support

  iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.8

  googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.4.2.18903 Support

  QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

  AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.07 - SDK 10.6 Support

  CouponPrinter-FireFox_v2: Version: Version 1.1.9 - SDK 10.5 Support

  SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.3 - SDK 10.6 Support

  WidevineMediaOptimizer: Version: 6.0.0.12757 - SDK 10.7 Support

  JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 Check version

 

Safari Extensions:

  Conduit Search for Safari: Version: 1.0

 

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:

  ConduitNPAPIPlugin: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.6 Support

  Picasa: Version: 1.0 Support

 

3rd Party Preference Panes:

  Flash Player  Support

  Flip4Mac WMV  Support

  Growl  Support

 

Time Machine:

  Skip System Files: NO

  Auto backup: YES

  Volumes being backed up:

  Macintosh HD: Disk size: 930.71 GB Disk used: 105.30 GB

  Destinations:

  LaCie [Local] (Last used)

  Total size: 465.64 GB

  Total number of backups: 210

  Oldest backup: 2011-01-02 19:28:34 +0000

  Last backup: 2014-07-31 10:04:28 +0000

  Size of backup disk: Adequate

  Backup size 465.64 GB > (Disk used 105.30 GB X 3)

  Time Machine details may not be accurate.

  All volumes being backed up may not be listed.

 

Top Processes by CPU:

      2% Dropbox

      2% WindowServer

      1% RealPlayer Downloader Agent

      0% fontd

      0% launchservicesd

 

Top Processes by Memory:

  262 MB Finder

  229 MB mds_stores

  213 MB com.apple.IconServicesAgent

  164 MB Evernote

  164 MB Numbers

 

Virtual Memory Information:

  10.43 GB Free RAM

  3.78 GB Active RAM

  560 MB Inactive RAM

  1.24 GB Wired RAM

  8.88 GB Page-ins

  0 B Page-outs

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2010), OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), Memory: 4 GB 1333MHz DDR3

Posted on Jul 31, 2014 4:19 AM

Close

Q: What do I do with the results of EtreCheck if I am trying to be proactive? <embarrassed grin> Can anyone help?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Mike Sombrio,

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio Jul 31, 2014 4:28 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1
    Level 6 (17,234 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 31, 2014 4:28 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1

    You post them here, which is exactly what you did, so others can look them over and discover any incompatible or poorly written software or hardware issues. I don't see anything wrong in your report, are you having a specific problem? I'll offer this piece of advice, if it ain't broke don't try to fix it. Macs don't need the plethora of third party software that windows users depend on, keep your OS X up to date and use common sense computing and you'll be fine.

  • by andyBall_uk,

    andyBall_uk andyBall_uk Jul 31, 2014 4:46 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1
    Level 7 (20,495 points)
    Jul 31, 2014 4:46 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1

    The Conduit Safari extensions & internet plug-in probably don't do anything useful, & may add extra advertising.

    You may feel that you don't need RealPlayer Downloader Agent running constantly after you log in.

  • by Glenn Greenway1,

    Glenn Greenway1 Glenn Greenway1 Jul 31, 2014 5:06 AM in response to Mike Sombrio
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Jul 31, 2014 5:06 AM in response to Mike Sombrio

    I try to be very cautious about adding software. And I am very conscientious with updates. Early this morning I wanted to uninstall an app called Tab Notes Free because it really hasn't been as useful as I thought it might be. I thought I could just drag it out of the applications folder to the trash and then empty the trash, but I wasn't 100% sure that would do it so I was searching for info on how to do it when I stumbled upon a forum discussion of EtreCheck. It seemed like a good way to be proactive for problems, so that is why I tried it. I am still uncertain about the best way to get rid of Tab Notes Free. I also peroodically run Disk utilities and verify and then correct permissions. Is that a good thing to do?  Thank you.

  • by Glenn Greenway1,

    Glenn Greenway1 Glenn Greenway1 Jul 31, 2014 5:09 AM in response to andyBall_uk
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Music
    Jul 31, 2014 5:09 AM in response to andyBall_uk

    Andy, how do I turn off the Safari Conduit extensions and the RealPlayer Downloader agent? I very seldom use Safari, but my wife uses it quite often under her screen. I like the idea of turning off things that may be unnecessary. Thank you.

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jul 31, 2014 5:24 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1
    Level 8 (35,176 points)
    iPad
    Jul 31, 2014 5:24 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1

    Conduit is bad. Here is the background info and removal instructions:

     

    http://www.thesafemac.com/arg-conduit/

     

    What is happening is that adware is being bundled with free software on download sites. Some give you an obscure clue, like this from download.com:

     

    Screen shot 2014-07-30 at 7.34.33 AM.png

    Others like Softonic do the same thing but without telling you what they are doing. Often any big green download button is gong to have Conduit, Genieo or other files that will trash your performance. Download,com can have a "direct" link under the Big Green Button that avoid the adware but I simply don't trust them any more.

     

    When you give the computer permission to install the software you wanted,  the adware also gets permission. You have to be very careful of download hosting sites. Get software from the original developers' sites whenever possible.

  • by andyBall_uk,

    andyBall_uk andyBall_uk Jul 31, 2014 5:46 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1
    Level 7 (20,495 points)
    Jul 31, 2014 5:46 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1

    Conduit shows in Safari - Preferences - Extensions; and in ~/Library/Internet Plug-ins : that's the Library within your account Home folder. You'll need to remove it from there using Finder.

     

    RP downloader can be stopped by removing it from System Preferences - Users & Groups - Login Items, then restarting, or quitting the process manually.

     

    If your wife uses a different account (login), then both RP & Conduit may not be active in that : the report only shows it within the account you ran etrecheck from.

  • by Mike Sombrio,

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio Jul 31, 2014 7:12 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1
    Level 6 (17,234 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jul 31, 2014 7:12 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1

    The developer of Tab Notes doesn't offer much in the way of online support and it's usually best to follow their instructions to uninstall if they offer any. I don't see any reference to Tab Notes or Catalystwo (the developer) in your EtreCheck. You might try emailing them to make sure that just dragging it to the trash completely gets rid of it info@catalystwo.com You can also search in the Finder for any reference to those two names to see if it finds any remnants.

  • by Linc Davis,

    Linc Davis Linc Davis Jul 31, 2014 10:24 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1
    Level 10 (208,000 points)
    Applications
    Jul 31, 2014 10:24 AM in response to Glenn Greenway1
    I stumbled upon a forum discussion of EtreCheck. It seemed like a good way to be proactive for problems

    It isn't. Below is a good way to be proactive for problems.

    How to maintain a Mac

    1. Make two or more backups of all your files, keeping at least one off site at all times in case of disaster. One backup is not enough to be safe. Don’t back up your backups; all should be made directly from the original data. Don’t rely completely on any single backup method, such as Time Machine. If you get an indication that a backup has failed, don't ignore it.

    2. Keep your software up to date. In the App Store or Software Update preference pane (depending on the OS version), you can configure automatic notifications of updates to OS X and other Mac App Store products. Some third-party applications from other sources have a similar feature, if you don’t mind letting them phone home. Otherwise you have to check yourself on a regular basis.

    Keeping up to date is especially important for complex software that modifies the operating system, such as device drivers. Before installing any Apple update, you must check that all such modifications that you use are compatible. Incompatibility with third-party software is by far the most common cause of trouble with system updates.

    3. Don't install crapware, such as “themes,” "haxies," “add-ons,” “toolbars,” “enhancers," “optimizers,” “accelerators,” "boosters," “extenders,” “cleaners,” "doctors," "tune-ups," “defragmenters,” “firewalls,” "barriers," “guardians,” “defenders,” “protectors,” most “plugins,” commercial "virus scanners,” "disk tools," or "utilities." With very few exceptions, such stuff is useless or worse than useless. Above all, avoid any software that purports to change the look and feel of the user interface.

    It's not much of an exaggeration to say that the whole "utility" software industry for the Mac is a fraud on consumers. The most extreme examples are the "CleanMyMac," "TuneUpMyMac," and “MacKeeper” scams, but there are many others.

    As a rule, you should avoid software that changes the way other software works. Plugins for Photoshop and similar programs are an obvious exception to this rule. Safari extensions, and perhaps the equivalent for other web browsers, are a partial exception. Most are safe, and they're easy to get rid of if they don't work. Some may cause the browser to crash or otherwise malfunction. Some are malicious. Use with caution, and install only well-known extensions from relatively trustworthy sources, such as the Safari Extensions Gallery.

    Only install software that is useful to you, not (as you imagine) to the computer. For example, a word processor is useful for writing. A video editor is useful for making movies. A game is useful for fun. But a "cache cleaner" isn't useful for anything. Cleaning caches is not an end in itself.

    Never install any third-party software unless you know how to uninstall it. Otherwise you may create problems that are very hard to solve. Do not rely on "utilities" such as "AppCleaner" and the like that purport to remove software.

    4. Don't install bad, conflicting, or unnecessary fonts. Whenever you install new fonts, use the validation feature of the built-in Font Book application to make sure the fonts aren't defective and don't conflict with each other or with others that you already have. See the built-in help and this support article for instructions. Deactivate or remove fonts that you don't really need to speed up application launching.

    5. Avoid malware. Malware is malicious software that circulates on the Internet. This kind of attack on OS X was once so rare that it was hardly a concern, but malware is now increasingly common, and increasingly dangerous.

    There is some built-in protection against malware, but you can’t rely on it—the attackers are always at least one day ahead of the defense. You can’t rely on third-party protection either. What you can rely on is common-sense awareness—not paranoia, which only makes you more vulnerable.

    Never install software from an untrustworthy or unknown source. If in doubt, do some research. Any website that prompts you to install a “codec” or “plugin” that comes from the same site, or an unknown site, is untrustworthy. Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must come directly from the developer's website. No intermediary is acceptable, and don’t trust links unless you know how to parse them. Any file that is automatically downloaded from the web, without your having requested it, should go straight into the Trash. A web page that tells you that your computer has a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with it, is a scam.

    In OS X 10.7.5 or later, downloaded applications and Installer packages that have not been digitally signed by a developer registered with Apple are blocked from loading by default. The block can be overridden, but think carefully before you do so.

    Because of recurring security issues in Java, it’s best to disable it in your web browsers, if it’s installed. Few websites have Java content nowadays, so you won’t be missing much. This action is mandatory if you’re running any version of OS X older than 10.6.8 with the latest Java update. Note: Java has nothing to do with JavaScript, despite the similar names. Don't install Java unless you're sure you need it. Most people don't.

    6. Don't fill up your disk/SSD. A common mistake is adding more and more large files to your home folder until you start to get warnings that you're out of space, which may be followed in short order by a startup failure. This is more prone to happen on the newer Macs that come with an internal SSD instead of the traditional hard drive. The drive can be very nearly full before you become aware of the problem.

    While it's not true that you should or must keep any particular percentage of space free, you should monitor your storage use and make sure you're not in immediate danger of using it up. According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of free space on the startup volume for normal operation.

    If storage space is running low, use a tool such as OmniDiskSweeper to explore the volume and find out what's taking up the most space. Move seldom-used large files to secondary storage.

    7. Relax, don’t do it. Besides the above, no routine maintenance is necessary or beneficial for the vast majority of users; specifically not “cleaning caches,” “zapping the PRAM,” "resetting the SMC," “rebuilding the directory,” "defragmenting the drive," “running periodic scripts,” “dumping logs,” "deleting temp files," “scanning for viruses,” "purging memory," "checking for bad blocks," "testing the hardware," or “repairing permissions.” Such measures are either completely pointless or are useful only for solving problems, not for prevention.

    To use a Mac effectively, you have to free yourself from the Windows mindset that every computer needs regular downtime maintenance such as "defragging" and "registry cleaning." Those concepts do not apply to the Mac platform.

    A well-designed computing device is not something you should have to think about much. It should be an almost transparent medium through which you communicate, work, and play. If you want a machine that needs a lot of attention, use a PC.

    The very height of futility is running an expensive third-party application called “Disk Warrior” when nothing is wrong, or even when something is wrong and you have backups, which you must have. Disk Warrior is a data-salvage tool, not a maintenance tool, and you will never need it if your backups are adequate. Don’t waste money on it or anything like it.

  • by MadMacs0,

    MadMacs0 MadMacs0 Jul 31, 2014 3:55 PM in response to Glenn Greenway1
    Level 5 (4,791 points)
    Jul 31, 2014 3:55 PM in response to Glenn Greenway1

    Glenn Greenway1 wrote:

     

    I am still uncertain about the best way to get rid of Tab Notes Free.

    I see that Tab Notes is available from the AppStore, so if that is where you got it there is an easy but specific method for uninstalling all AppStore apps described in OS X Mavericks: Install, update, and uninstall apps. Specifically:

    Uninstall apps

    • To uninstall apps you purchased from the Mac App Store, hold down an app’s icon in Launchpad until all the icons begin to jiggle. Click an app’s delete button (x).

    Any other method may leave additional files behind.

  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Jul 31, 2014 4:53 PM in response to Glenn Greenway1
    Level 8 (49,534 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 31, 2014 4:53 PM in response to Glenn Greenway1

    EtreCheck revealed the presence of Conduit. It should be removed.

     

    To learn how to avoid installing adware read How to install adware

     

    • Never install software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources.
      • "Questionable sources" include but are not limited to software aggregator hosting sites such as C net dot com, Softonic dot com, Soft pedia dot com, Download dot com, Mac Update dot com, and others whose revenue is primarily derived from junk product advertisements.

     

    Video players such as DivX are often associated with adware. You expose yourself to risk whenever you decide to obtain software from sources such as the list above. If you want something that isn't available from the Mac App Store, obtain it from legitimate sources: those authorized by the software developer.