iMac not allowing 3rd part software to install or update

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iMac2001 Author

Level 1

4 points

iMac not allowing 3rd part software to install or update

This afternoon my iMac would not allow World of Warcraft to update. WOW suggested that the anti virus software be disabled. Before I would do that, I attempted to have Webroot run a scan on the hard drive. Webroot wanted my license number (shouldn’t have needed it - it was running fine yesterday.) Input the correct number and attempted to scan the drive - it said it was preparing to run a scan and never actually did. Rebooted system and tried again - same issue.

Decided to uninstall Webroot and reinstall it.

Went to the Webroot console and told it to download the software, saw the file on the iMac, tried to open it and start the install but nothing happened. Rebooted the machine and tried again - same thing. Went to the system preferences and changed the access to allow Webroot to have access to the drive. Rebooted and tried again - same thing.

I have no idea what is going on - the machine was fine yesterday.

It's a late 2015 iMac and is running Monterrey 12.1

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Dec 19, 2021 12:07 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,308 points

Dec 19, 2021 6:31 PM in response to iMac2001

The best antivirus, cleaning app, and overall maintenance app for Mac OS is Mac OS itself. All you need to do with Mac OS to keep it secure and running well is to keep it up-to-date and do periodic (about 1x per week) restarts. Other than that, leave it alone. Adding third party antivirus, cleaning, security and other types of maintenance apps to Mac OS adds no additional level of security. The only thing these apps do is have the opposite affect users want. They make Mac OS slow, unstable, generate odd behavior (much like you are experiencing) and make Mac OS appear buggy.

Please locate the developers uninstall instructions for Webroot and follow to the letter. Then restart in Safe Mode per the directions in Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac and then restart normally.

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Answer 2

Old Toad

Level 10

210,189 points

Dec 19, 2021 3:41 PM in response to iMac2001

First, there is no reason to ever install or run any 3rd party "cleaning", "optimizing", "speed-up", anti-virus, VPN or security apps on your Mac. This user tip describes what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community.

There are no known viruses, i.e. self propagating, for Macs. There are, however, adware and malware which require the user to install although unwittingly most of the time thru sneaky links, etc.

Anti Virus developers try to group all types as viruses into their ad campaigns of fear. They do a poor job of the detecting and isolating the adware and malware. Since there are no viruses these apps use up a lot of system resources searching for what is non-existent and adversely affect system and app performance.

There is one app, Malwarebytes, which was developed by a long time contributor to these forums and a highly respected member of the computer security community, that is desshoigned solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it. The free version is more than adequate for most users.

Uninstall Webroot according to the developer's instructions. Then boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and then reboot normally.