Is “CleanMyMacX” for free safe?

[tpcollins]

I’d gotten an email form my step-son on Feb 20th and the tile said “I meant to send this earlier” so I naturally opened the link. But it wasn’t from him and it looked like a scam so I backed out immediately.

Yesterday I got another email from my step-son but this time I didn’t open it. But the return address wasn’t his email so I know it’s a scam as well.

My MacBook Pro seems to be running slow since around Feb 20, plus some of my normal websites won’t load.

I’d like to download some type of virus scan but not sure which one to trust. Thanks.

 

[Fishrrman]

Clean my Mac?
I wouldn't touch it.

"I’d like to download some type of virus scan but not sure which one to trust"

You don't need a "virus scan" because there has NEVER been a Mac "virus" discovered "in the wild" (that is, in other than a laboratory/development setting).

What you DO need is an app that scans and removes malware, adware, and crapware.
That would be MalwareBytes:
Download MalwareBytes and run it:

Official Site | Malwarebytes: Antivirus, Anti-Malware & Privacy

Malwarebytes offers real-time antivirus, advanced anti-malware and privacy protection for all your devices. Launched in 2004 as a free virus scan, we still offer a free basic version 20 years later. Learn more.

www.malwarebytes.com

IMPORTANT:
Select the "home" option.
It's a FREE download

IMPORTANT:
You DO NOT NEED TO BUY A SUBSCRIPTION to run MalwareBytes.
It will run FOREVER IN FREE MODE.
When you open it, IGNORE the button to "Upgrade Now" or "Activate License".
Just click "Scan".
Again, you DO NOT have to buy the pay-for version!

 

[martyjmclean]

CleanMyMac has a subscription—and everything it does can be done a) for free with AppCleaner, OnyX and Monolingual or b) automatically by macOS.

The only malware tool you should trust is Malwarebytes.

 

[Queen6]

Bitdefender free from the App Store. Only runs when you ask, no background activity. Update and perform a deep scan, will find more than most...

General cleanup Onyx, ensure you match the download to current version of macOS, run automation as is.

If using spinning drives, iDfrag is now free including license which can help some older Mac's.

Q-6

 

[ChromeCrescendo]

CleanMyMac has a subscription—and everything it does can be done a) for free with AppCleaner, OnyX and Monolingual or b) automatically by macOS.

The only malware tool you should trust is Malwarebytes.

WOW thanks for the tip on Monolingual - removing the other languages saved me 1.51GB

 

[Glockworkorange]

I guess I'm in the minority with CleanMy Mac.

Sure, you could do everything it does in Terminal for free, or with three or four other freeware apps, but being able to quickly clean out the hard drive and completely uninstall apps is handy.

 

[chscag]

WOW thanks for the tip on Monolingual - removing the other languages saved me 1.51GB

Be careful with Monolingual.... At one time if it was used to remove languages other than English, it would prevent MS Office from working. I'm not sure if it still acts the same way with the current versions of Office. If you're not an Office user, ignore this post.

 

[martyjmclean]

WOW thanks for the tip on Monolingual - removing the other languages saved me 1.51GB

No worries! I was surprised to save 4.39GB tbh, thought it would've been less.

Be careful with Monolingual.... At one time if it was used to remove languages other than English, it would prevent MS Office from working. I'm not sure if it still acts the same way with the current versions of Office. If you're not an Office user, ignore this post.

That only affected Office 2011, and has been fixed now. Thanks for pointing it out though!

 

[ptsube]

I've used Clean My Mac for years. I've never had a problem with it. It's a nice app.

 

[honestone33]

Besides my own, daily cleaning efforts, I have been using both Onyx and Tech Tool Pro for a long, long time. They are both reliable.

Yeah, Malwarebytes is good, but I actually use ClamXAV more. It is another dependable program.