hi can anyone suggest a good cleaner and virus protector for mi i mac ,i dont want to google for one as maybe scam thank you
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recomend a good cleaner and virus protector for mac
- Thread starter westentertainer
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IMO -
Good cleaner: Onyx It is a free utility that works well.
Good anti-virus: I run Malwarebytes for Mac but as a stand-a-lone. I do not let it run in the background. The debate for running anti-virus full time on a mac has a lot of opinions and has been much debated. Malwarebytes will be fully functional for the first 2 weeks then you can let it revert to being a scanner only, or you can purchase it.
Another option that is cloud based is Sophos for Home. It allows a lot of customizing as well as web filtering. There is a free version and paid version. Both are good for up to ten computers.
Lisa
Good cleaner: Onyx It is a free utility that works well.
Good anti-virus: I run Malwarebytes for Mac but as a stand-a-lone. I do not let it run in the background. The debate for running anti-virus full time on a mac has a lot of opinions and has been much debated. Malwarebytes will be fully functional for the first 2 weeks then you can let it revert to being a scanner only, or you can purchase it.
Another option that is cloud based is Sophos for Home. It allows a lot of customizing as well as web filtering. There is a free version and paid version. Both are good for up to ten computers.
Lisa
Times have changed...
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I'm Using Bitdefender as the main componenet.
Also regularly scanning with Malwarebytes.
Application firewall Lulu / Little Snitch whatever else you like.
Objective-See's BlockBlock to keep an constant eye out for automatic startup changes.
Their ReiKey to keep an eye out for keyboard event interceptors
Oversight for mic/camera usage.
I second @lclev post. Malwarebytes doesn't take up resources like other commercial antivirus. Plus, you don't need to pay for premium; just remember to run a scan regularly per month or season. Macs generally don't get Malware...unless you're stupid.
Onyx is a very good cleaner however if you find yourself intimidated by everything it offers to you, I recommend DaisyDisk just for quick and easy deletion of older huge files. macOS does a good job cleaning itself so there's really no need to worry.
Onyx is a very good cleaner however if you find yourself intimidated by everything it offers to you, I recommend DaisyDisk just for quick and easy deletion of older huge files. macOS does a good job cleaning itself so there's really no need to worry.
I wasn't wrong. There are no Mac viruses in the wild. Hence, there is no need for anti-virus on a Mac.
In regards to a cleaner, there is also no need for that on the Mac, as it does an excellent job of managing system resources and other system functions etc.
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- If I have Malware on my Mac, how would I remove it?
- If my Mac is performing slow in different ways, what Utility does tons of tasks all in one application?
I mean if were being technical, yes there are viruses for the Mac in the wild
That is so wrong it almost hurts to read. I don't know how many times I have deleted an application of my Mac only to find several folders taking up space, and helper files running afterwards, even after reboots - resources being taken up by apps that have been removed.
As for Mac directed viruses you are also wrong. Check out your filters and see how much phishing, malware, and yes viruses are being detected on Macs these days. A good AV will protect you against these things as well.
Just to name a few Mac viruses - all new in 2019... :
OSX/CrescentCore
OSX/Linker
LoudMiner (aka Bird Mine)
OSX/NewTab
NetWire and Mokes
Malware and a virus are not the same thing. What I stated is true. There are no Mac viruses in the wild. Hence, no anti-virus program is possible of detecting that which does not exist. Ergo, installing an anti-virus program on a Mac at this point in time is rather pointless.
What you listed are examples of malware not viruses.
I guess we have to agree to disagree.
Everyone I talk to in the industry, and I work professionally in IT Risk Management, would classify Malware, Trojans, and RansomWare, as Virus. And even if you do not agree, then what about denial-of-service attacks. Are they "proper" viruses? If so, there are plenty of those targeting macOS.
So, it is a question of definition, and I think we can agree that all of the above mentioned are specific types of malicious software - malicious software that the best AV packages protect you against.
So, do not persuade users from installing AV just because you don't care!
Everyone I talk to in the industry, and I work professionally in IT Risk Management, would classify Malware, Trojans, and RansomWare, as Virus. And even if you do not agree, then what about denial-of-service attacks. Are they "proper" viruses? If so, there are plenty of those targeting macOS.
So, it is a question of definition, and I think we can agree that all of the above mentioned are specific types of malicious software - malicious software that the best AV packages protect you against.
So, do not persuade users from installing AV just because you don't care!
I agree, no need for antivirus software on a Mac. Waste of resources and money.
Malware- anyone even slightly savvy shouldn’t fall for any tricks getting you to install some. There are lots of safety’s in the system. Do a little research before say downloading and installing that nifty “Mackeeper” app, heh.
if you’re downloading torrents, then you should really know what you’re doing there. Payloads are not always what you had in mind.
Cleaning: I use cocktail occasionally but don’t bother anymore. App zapper helps you delete apps and their supporting materials / preferences but it often doesn’t get everything. Gets more than just deleting the app though.
personally I’m just used to going through the various MacOS library folders occasionally and deleting useless preferences, agents, Deamons, and Application support files, but I understand this may be a little daunting for some.
Malware- anyone even slightly savvy shouldn’t fall for any tricks getting you to install some. There are lots of safety’s in the system. Do a little research before say downloading and installing that nifty “Mackeeper” app, heh.
if you’re downloading torrents, then you should really know what you’re doing there. Payloads are not always what you had in mind.
Cleaning: I use cocktail occasionally but don’t bother anymore. App zapper helps you delete apps and their supporting materials / preferences but it often doesn’t get everything. Gets more than just deleting the app though.
personally I’m just used to going through the various MacOS library folders occasionally and deleting useless preferences, agents, Deamons, and Application support files, but I understand this may be a little daunting for some.
I don't even need any of that crap on Windows. If you aren't an idiot on the internet you can get by fine without that stuff. I've never gotten malware or anything even back in the Windows 98 and XP days, without an AV or anything.
For "cleaning out" old apps:
"AppCleaner" (note that it's "one word"):
https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/
For "viruses":
NOTHING.
Yes, nothing.
There has never been a single "Mac virus" discovered "in the wild" since the introduction of OS X.
On the other hand, there IS Mac malware and adware.
For detecting removing malware/adware:
"MalwareBytes":
https://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".
Just click "Scan Now".
Again, you DO NOT have to buy the pay-for version!
"AppCleaner" (note that it's "one word"):
https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/
For "viruses":
NOTHING.
Yes, nothing.
There has never been a single "Mac virus" discovered "in the wild" since the introduction of OS X.
On the other hand, there IS Mac malware and adware.
For detecting removing malware/adware:
"MalwareBytes":
https://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".
Just click "Scan Now".
Again, you DO NOT have to buy the pay-for version!
Exactly. Not sure why he's being technical. If that's the case like you said Malware is just a classified virus. We are basically debating weather certain fruits in fact are classified as a "fruit"
I can promise the average user falls for lots of tricks. You're not correct because you're making a general assumption about every person that owns a Mac. I deal with Malware at least 40x /day
I recommend using Sophos for Home, I've used it for many years without issue and its also recommended by my Univeristy and previous College.
To all those saying you don't need any anti-virus / malware for Mac, depending on where you use your laptop you may not get a choice, for example if I want to connect my laptop to my Unis networks its required to have Anti-Virus installed, this was the same back at school, at home I agree its not really needed but when accessing enterprise networks these require more security. Something like Sophos isn't resource intensive and I have never noticed any slowdowns from it on any modern system Mac or windows.
To all those saying you don't need any anti-virus / malware for Mac, depending on where you use your laptop you may not get a choice, for example if I want to connect my laptop to my Unis networks its required to have Anti-Virus installed, this was the same back at school, at home I agree its not really needed but when accessing enterprise networks these require more security. Something like Sophos isn't resource intensive and I have never noticed any slowdowns from it on any modern system Mac or windows.
Using Malwarebytes:
** = I most commonly see in scan results
I'll add to the list if any others come to mind
- OSX/Genesis**
- PUP
- Mac Cleaner Pro**
- Advanced Mac Cleaner
- booking (application)
** = I most commonly see in scan results
I'll add to the list if any others come to mind
I have had the search engine kit hijacker (changes chrome from google to yahoo) for a while now and never seemed to be able to get it to go away. Today I got a malware pop-up saying "Apple wants to make changes to your computer" and wanted me to put in my password... Nope.
I tried 2 different virus scans:
Antivirus Zap, $9 in the app store and seams super popular. It did a really thorough scan which took a while. It found 8 threats and best of all found all of the random files related to the browser hijacker, hopefully it did anyway. The coming months will tell. However it did not find the pop up that was the reason I got it in the first place.
Second I went with the free scan from MalwareBytes. I'm not sure how I feel about that. The scan was crazy fast. I dont see how it could have really scanned through 300gb worth of files but.... It seemed to have found and deleted the malware missed by the Zap. It was free so... OK. I have no idea if it would have also found the hijacker as I would not have done a second one if the first didn't work.
Anyway.. just posting for people like me who search threads rather than post a new question that had already been discussed.
I tried 2 different virus scans:
Antivirus Zap, $9 in the app store and seams super popular. It did a really thorough scan which took a while. It found 8 threats and best of all found all of the random files related to the browser hijacker, hopefully it did anyway. The coming months will tell. However it did not find the pop up that was the reason I got it in the first place.
Second I went with the free scan from MalwareBytes. I'm not sure how I feel about that. The scan was crazy fast. I dont see how it could have really scanned through 300gb worth of files but.... It seemed to have found and deleted the malware missed by the Zap. It was free so... OK. I have no idea if it would have also found the hijacker as I would not have done a second one if the first didn't work.
Anyway.. just posting for people like me who search threads rather than post a new question that had already been discussed.
I very much dislike anti virus software, they often times feel like viruses themselves. I don't know about macOS but on Windows they even prevented security updates to fix Spectre bugs in Windows. They also seem to break things in order to "protect" you. I think security software shouldn't break things.
Never the less there are tests about anti virus software for macOS, maybe those are interesting for you https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-macos/
Never the less there are tests about anti virus software for macOS, maybe those are interesting for you https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-macos/
The best program to remove malware and clean up your Mac is called internet recovery. Back up everything with time machine, wipe and reinstall macOS, reinstall apps, and drag your files back from yoru backup. Don't migrate your time machine backup back on your device. Now going forward, only allow apps to install that you recognize.
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Use Norton 8.4.2 on my MacOS. I get it free being a Comcast customer and it's rating score is 6 out of 6 in the av-test.