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Any safe non spammy scanners for clean up?

P

Peter Franks

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 9, 2011
2,118
125
I've had the MBP 5 plus years and obviously it's not as slick as it once was, and I just want to know what can scan and clean up odd bits left by downloads.

I downloaded an FTP programme today(as it turns out I've no clue how to use it so deleted anyway) but when It downloaded it offered this that and the other, which I unticked, and they still landed them on me anyway. It has completely changed my browsers and what it opens on tabs and homepage. But other software that's been downloaded over the years I'm sure has gone to slowing me up. And I wondered if there's anything out there like a virus scanner that finds all this scattered rubbish everywhere and may save me some much needed space too?

Any suggestions most grateful for scanner type programmes who don't themselves leave a load of rubbish that I've just mentioned. I've heard Adware Medic a few times but not sure that's what I need, anyone use that?
 
Anything else safe to use?

I'm using 10.6.8 and it says :

eanvop.png
 
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Peter Franks said:
And I wondered if there's anything out there like a virus scanner that finds all this scattered rubbish everywhere and may save me some much needed space too?

Any suggestions most grateful for scanner type programmes who don't themselves leave a load of rubbish that I've just mentioned. I've heard Adware Medic a few times but not sure that's what I need, anyone use that?
Click to expand...
Antivirus apps don't scan for leftover files. They only scan for malware. Adware scanners do the same for adware.

The most effective method for complete app removal is manual deletion:
Freeing up drive space in Mac OS X
 
I agree with GGJstudios. Read the "Best way to fully delete a program" and follow that (that's what I do). These clean up utilities can sometimes delete too much and cause issues or they may not get everything.
 
Thanks guys, It's not all about the application downloads though, How do I get rid of ad and spy stuff when I've no clue what to remove safely?
 
Ulenspiegel said:
Try ClamXav (http://www.clamxav.com/download.html) and I am afraid you have to clean your computer from leftovers manually. It is the safest way as all so called cleaners tend to remove more than needed.

Guide how to remove adware manually: http://www.thesafemac.com/arg-identification/.
Click to expand...

ClamX also a manual removal job?

Traverse said:
I agree with GGJstudios. Read the "Best way to fully delete a program" and follow that (that's what I do). These clean up utilities can sometimes delete too much and cause issues or they may not get everything.
Click to expand...

Is it idiot proof to remove anything?

GGJstudios said:
You don't have spyware on your computer unless you installed it yourself. As for adware:

Remove unwanted adware that displays pop-up ads and graphics on your Mac
Adware can be removed by using this tool: AdwareMedic
Click to expand...

Thanks, as my grab above shows, Adware Medic won't work on mine
but I'll check out that Mac Page
 
Peter Franks said:
ClamX also a manual removal job?
Click to expand...
ClamXAV will only scan for and quarantine malware. It will not remove anything other than malware, which is very unlikely that you have.
Peter Franks said:
Is it idiot proof to remove anything?
Click to expand...
Nothing is idiot proof, but if you follow the simple instructions carefully, it will work fine.
Peter Franks said:
Thanks, as my grab above shows, Adware Medic won't work on minebut I'll check out that Mac Page
Click to expand...
I missed that you're on 10.6.8. In that case, you'll find manual adware removal instructions here: http://www.thesafemac.com/arg/
 
GGJstudios said:
Nothing is idiot proof, but if you follow the simple instructions carefully, it will work fine.

I missed that you're on 10.6.8. In that case, you'll find manual adware removal instructions here: http://www.thesafemac.com/arg/
Click to expand...

Thank you. One last question, whenever I've downloaded anything prior the box came up for me to put password in to download, the last few downloads have not prompted this box, any idea why? I just get ... clamx is an app downloaded from the internet, do you wish etc.... and same for the FTP download, but why now am I never asked for password to install anything when I always used to be?

I've not changed anything either, never have, But all downloads were prompted for a password, now, nothing I download asks for it anymore. Which makes me wonder if stuff can be downloaded on here without my knowledge
 
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Peter Franks said:
Thank you. One last question, whenever I've downloaded anything prior the box came up for me to put password in to download, the last few downloads have not prompted this box, any idea why? I just get ... clamx is an app downloaded from the internet, do you wish etc.... and same for the FTP download, but why now am I never asked for password to install anything when I always used to be?
Click to expand...
The installation of some apps requires writing to some areas that require the administrator password to access. Not all apps require this. Many can simply be dragged into the Applications folder with no password required.
 
GGJstudios said:
The installation of some apps requires writing to some areas that require the administrator password to access. Not all apps require this. Many can simply be dragged into the Applications folder with no password required.
Click to expand...

so nothing untoward can access without me then? is there a test to see if that is still the case? In all honesty, it's been years since I was prompted for password on a download
 
Peter Franks said:
so nothing untoward can access without me then? is there a test to see if that is still the case? In all honesty, it's been years since I was prompted for password on a download
Click to expand...
Passwords aren't required for simply downloading. Passwords are required only for some app installations, but not for the majority of apps. If you ran ClamXAV and it found nothing, you're fine.

Are you having specific symptoms that cause you to suspect some unwanted software on your Mac? If you haven't been installing pirated apps and don't have Java enabled in your browser, it's extremely unlikely that you have any malware on your computer.

If your primary concern is cleaning up unused files to free up space on your drive, turn your attention away from malware, adware and spyware and focus instead on freeing up space. Use the links I posted in post #5.
 
GGJstudios said:
Passwords aren't required for simply downloading. Passwords are required only for some app installations, but not for the majority of apps. If you ran ClamXAV and it found nothing, you're fine.

Are you having specific symptoms that cause you to suspect some unwanted software on your Mac? If you haven't been installing pirated apps and don't have Java enabled in your browser, it's extremely unlikely that you have any malware on your computer.

If your primary concern is cleaning up unused files to free up space on your drive, turn your attention away from malware, adware and spyware and focus instead on freeing up space. Use the links I posted in post #5.
Click to expand...

Nope, don't download anything dodgy, not worked out ClamXAV yet, it's telling me to download the AV with it. Not specific other than some strange things happening and much slower than it was. Many things are moving that I've not moved. Whether it be in the dock or in downloads.

Off topic, always wondered, You know the application folder that is in the Users folder of my log in name, why is that empty, What is the difference between that one and the one with all the Mac Apps in it? Should mine have anything in it?
 
Peter Franks said:
Off topic, always wondered, You know the application folder that is in the Users folder of my log in name, why is that empty, What is the difference between that one and the one with all the Mac Apps in it? Should mine have anything in it?
Click to expand...
The ~/Applications folder in your user folder is for apps that you might want installed that other users of your Mac would not have access to, as opposed to the /Applications folder, which all users can access. There are very few instances where that might be required, so it's usually empty for most users.
 
Another alien pop up today from...

appleissues.co.uk which I gather doesn't exist. But these do get through
 
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