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MacKeeper

Do I need to install virus software and a cleaner such as Mackeeper? I'm relatively new to Mac's and have always heard that virus software isn't needed. Any other recommendations besides MacKeeper?

iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), Virus Software / Cleaner

Posted on Apr 20, 2015 7:51 AM

Reply
21 replies

Apr 20, 2015 9:52 AM in response to sawilsonaz

Do I need to install virus software and a cleaner such as Mackeeper?


Macs do not need, and cannot benefit from, "cleaning".

In the context of maintaining a Mac, you should purge the word "clean" from your lexicon. It is a marketing term used to evoke an imaginary benefit as it conveys no actual meaning. It is also very successful at siphoning tens of millions of dollars away from Mac users, money that could have been used for any number of beneficial purposes.



There will always be threats to your information security associated with using any Internet - connected communications tool:


  1. You can mitigate those threats by following commonsense practices
  2. Delegating that responsibility to software is an ineffective defense
  3. Assuming that any product will protect you from those threats is a hazardous attitude that is likely to result in neglecting point #1 above.

OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Keep it that way with software updates from Apple.


A much better question is "how should I protect my Mac":

  • Never install any product that claims to "clean up", "speed up", "optimize", "boost" or "accelerate" your Mac; to "wash" it, "tune" it, or to make it "shiny". Those claims are absurd.

    Such products are very aggressively marketed. They are all scams.

  • Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources.
    • Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
    • "Questionable sources" include but are not limited to spontaneously appearing web pages or popups, download hosting sites such as C net dot com, Softonic dot com, Soft pedia dot com, Download dot com, Mac Update dot com, or any other site whose revenue is primarily derived from junk product advertisements.
    • If you need to install software that isn't available from the Mac App Store, obtain it only from legitimate sources authorized by the software's developer.
  • Don’t supply your password in response to a popup window requesting it, unless you know what it is and the reason your credentials are required.
  • Don’t open email attachments from email addresses that you do not recognize, or click links contained in an email:
    • Most of these are scams that direct you to fraudulent sites that attempt to convince you to disclose personal information.
    • Such "phishing" attempts are the 21st century equivalent of a social exploit that has existed since the dawn of civilization. Don’t fall for it.
    • Apple will never ask you to reveal personal information in an email. If you receive an unexpected email from Apple saying your account will be closed unless you take immediate action, just ignore it. If your iCloud, iTunes, or App Store account becomes disabled for valid reasons, you will know when you try to buy something or log in to this support site, and are unable to.
  • Don’t install browser extensions unless you understand their purpose:

    Go to the Safari menu > Preferences > Extensions. If you see any extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone.

  • Don’t install Java unless you are certain that you need it:
    • Java, a non-Apple product, is a potential vector for malware. If you are required to use Java, be mindful of that possibility.
    • Java can be disabled in System Preferences.
    • Despite its name JavaScript is unrelated to Java. No malware can infect your Mac through JavaScript. It’s OK to leave it enabled.
    • The same precaution applies to Adobe Flash Player. Newly discovered Flash vulnerabilities appear almost weekly.
  • Beware spontaneous popups: Safari menu > Preferences > Security > check "Block popup windows".
    • Popup windows are useful and required for some websites, but unsolicited popups are commonly used to deceive people into installing unwanted software they would never intentionally install.
    • Popups themselves cannot infect your Mac, but many contain resource-hungry code that will slow down Internet browsing.
    • If you ever receive a popup window indicating that your Mac is infected with some ick or that you won some prize, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore it.
    • The same goes for a spontaneously appearing dialog insisting that you upgrade your video player right this instant. Such popups are frequently associated with sites that promise to deliver "free" movies or other copyrighted content that is not normally "free".
    • The more insistent it is that you upgrade or install something, the more likely it is to be a scam. Close the window or tab and forget it.
  • Ignore hyperventilating popular media outlets that thrive by promoting fear and discord with entertainment products arrogantly presented as "news". Learn what real threats actually exist and how to arm yourself against them:
    • The most serious threat to your data security is phishing. Most of these attempts are pathetic and are easily recognized, but that hasn't stopped prominent public figures from recently succumbing to this age-old scam.
    • OS X viruses do not exist, but intentionally malicious or poorly written code, created by either nefarious or inept individuals, is nothing new.
    • Never install something without first knowing what it is, what it does, how it works, and how to get rid of it when you don’t want it any more.
    • If you elect to use "anti-virus" software, familiarize yourself with its limitations and potential to cause adverse effects, and apply the principle immediately preceding this one.
    • Most such utilities will only slow down and destabilize your Mac while they look for viruses that do not exist, conveying no benefit whatsoever - other than to make you "feel good" about security, when you should actually be exercising sound judgment, derived from accurate knowledge, based on verifiable facts.
  • Do install updates from Apple as they become available. No one knows more about Macs and how to protect them than the company that builds them.


Summary: Use common sense and caution when you use your Mac, just like you would in any social context. There is no product, utility, or magic talisman that can protect you from all the evils of mankind.

Apr 20, 2015 9:53 AM in response to sawilsonaz

EtreCheck version: 2.2 (132)

Report generated 4/20/15, 9:51 AM

Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck


Click the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.

Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.


Hardware Information: ℹ️

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) (Technical Specifications)

iMac - model: iMac13,2

1 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4-core

16 GB RAM Upgradeable

BANK 0/DIMM0

8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 1/DIMM0

8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok

BANK 0/DIMM1

Empty

BANK 1/DIMM1

Empty

Bluetooth: Good - Handoff/Airdrop2 supported

Wireless: en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n


Video Information: ℹ️

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX - VRAM: 2048 MB

iMac 2560 x 1440


System Software: ℹ️

OS X 10.10.3 (14D136) - Time since boot: 0:45:36


Disk Information: ℹ️

APPLE HDD WDC WD10EALX-408EA0 disk1 : (1 TB)

EFI (disk1s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Recovery HD (disk1s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB

Macintosh HD (disk2) / : 1.11 TB (916.58 GB free)

Core Storage: disk0s2 120.99 GB Online

Core Storage: disk1s2 999.35 GB Online


APPLE SSD SM128E disk0 : (121.33 GB)

EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

Boot OS X (disk0s3) <not mounted> : 134 MB

Macintosh HD (disk2) / : 1.11 TB (916.58 GB free)

Core Storage: disk0s2 120.99 GB Online

Core Storage: disk1s2 999.35 GB Online


USB Information: ℹ️

USB DISK 20X 520.1 MB

UDISK 20X (disk3s1) /Volumes/UDISK 20X : 520 MB (134 MB free)

Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

Apple Inc. MacBook Air SuperDrive

Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub

Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller


Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️

Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus


Gatekeeper: ℹ️

Mac App Store and identified developers


Kernel Extensions: ℹ️

/Applications/VMware Fusion.app

[loaded] com.vmware.kext.vmci (90.5.7) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.vmware.kext.vmioplug.12.1.17 (12.1.17) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.vmware.kext.vmnet (0188.79.83) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.vmware.kext.vmx86 (0188.79.83) [Click for support]

[loaded] com.vmware.kext.vsockets (90.5.7) [Click for support]


Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[failed] com.apple.mtrecorder.plist


Launch Agents: ℹ️

[running] com.hp.productresearch.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Click for support]


Launch Daemons: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]

[failed] com.apple.spirecorder.plist

[loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Click for support]

[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Click for support]


User Launch Agents: ℹ️

[loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]


User Login Items: ℹ️

iTunesHelper Application (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

VMware Fusion Start Menu Application (/Applications/VMware Fusion.app/Contents/Library/VMware Fusion Start Menu.app)

AdobeResourceSynchronizer Application Hidden (/Applications/Adobe Reader.app/Contents/Support/AdobeResourceSynchronizer.app)


Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️

FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 17.0.0.169 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3

AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.10 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.10 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

Flash Player: Version: 17.0.0.169 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10

SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.8 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]

JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 8 Update 45 Check version


3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️

Flash Player [Click for support]

Java [Click for support]


Time Machine: ℹ️

Skip System Files: NO

Mobile backups: OFF

Auto backup: YES

Volumes being backed up:

Macintosh HD: Disk size: 1.11 TB Disk used: 195.25 GB

Destinations:

Data [Network]

Total size: 2.00 TB

Total number of backups: 8

Oldest backup: 2013-02-17 18:42:44 +0000

Last backup: 2013-04-20 14:11:30 +0000

Size of backup disk: Adequate

Backup size 2.00 TB > (Disk used 195.25 GB X 3)


Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️

3% WindowServer

3% fontd

0% com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(6)

0% taskgated

0% cloudpaird


Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️

845 MB kernel_task

721 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(6)

147 MB mds_stores

147 MB VMware Fusion

131 MB Mail


Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️

12.00 GB Free RAM

3.89 GB Used RAM

0 B Swap Used


Diagnostics Information: ℹ️

Apr 20, 2015, 09:05:20 AM Self test - passed

Apr 19, 2015, 12:11:16 PM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.photomoments_2015-04 -19-121116_[redacted].crash

Apr 20, 2015 10:00 AM in response to sawilsonaz

Having removed MacKeeper, you ought to post a new question with a subject specifically regarding Facebook. I don't use Facebook and have no idea how it is supposed to work.


If you use Safari to access Facebook, I might be able to help.


Please bear in mind the caveat I posted earlier: "If you actually used MacKeeper to alter your system, e.g. "remove excess binaries" or such, you will need to reinstall OS X as well as all your additional software. Uninstalling MacKeeper is insufficient to reverse the corruption it is capable of - once again, that is if you used it."

MacKeeper

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