Mac clean up programs

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.  All they do is lighten your bank account and take up system resources. These documents describe what you need to know and do in order to protect your Mac: Effective defenses against malware and other threats - Apple Community and Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support.  

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 designed solely to seek out adware and known malware and remove it.  The free version is more than adequate for most users.  

A 1000% waste of time, money and system resources. The best tool available to keep you Mac healthy is Mac OS itself, period. Simply keep Mac OS up to date and restart the computer about 1X per week, otherwise please leave your Mac alone and enjoy it!!!!

Clean up applications are not needed on the Mac. The macOS has routines that when allowed to run will keep the OS in excellent shape. These self-maintenance routines run whenever the Mac is restarted, so it's a great idea to reboot at least once a week.

Clean up apps are generally a waste of money, and often interfere with the proper operation of the OS. They often indiscriminately "clean up" files and data that may be critical components of other applications and data, including photo metadata and other similar info.

Clean up apps will do little to impact the performance or your Mac in a positive way. They will not speed it up.

Keep your Macintosh computer up to date with automatic software updates and let the macOS take care of itself.

Senior members of the Communities will generally advise that you do not install clean up, anti-virus, speed up, optimizing or VPN software. They aren't needed. There are no tru viruses threatening the Mac. There is ad-wasre and other similar malware that is usually installed accidentally by the user. Malwarebytes is one of very few apps that is recommended for use to handle these types of malware.

If you are concerned about malware and adware finding its way onto your Mac, please, see these support documents:

Protecting against malware in macOS - Apple Support

XProtect Explained: How Your Mac’s Built-in Anti-malware Software Works - How-To Geek:

https://www.howtogeek.com/217043/xprotect-explained-how-your-macs-built-in-anti-malware-works/

click> Effective Defenses Against Malware (John Galt)- Apple Community

click> How to install adware (John Galt)- Apple Community

If you perceive your Mac is not performing as well as it should, please determine if it performs just as poorly in "Safe Mode": How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support.

Do not use "Norton" or anything else that claims to "clean up" a Mac. Those things are scams.

Hi Dec2024, you really shouldn’t use any programs/applications that claim to “clean up your Mac”, fix your mac etc… waste of money really… usually Activity monitor will show you which apps/programs are hogging resources… and EtreCheck will give a more detailed picture if needed. activity monitor is built into the MacOS and EtreCheck is free? So they are both free ( eg costs you no money)

just my opinion though

John B

Move Norton to the bottom of your list, then burn the list starting at the bottom.