How to avoid or remove Mac Defender malware in Mac OS X v10.6 or earlier Learn how to avoid or remove Mac Defender malware in Mac OS X v10.6 or earlier. A phishing scam has targeted Mac users by redirecting them from legitimate websites to fake websites which tell them that their computer is infected with a virus. As users of this Mac cleaner since its initial version way back in 2013, we stand behind the CleanMyMac X software that MacPaw has developed. With the newest update, we believe it to be a solid investment for most Mac users who are reading this review.
Mac optimizers typically use two pricing models: you can either purchase a license outright for permanent access or you can choose a subscription and pay from month to month. It’s up to you to decide which system you prefer, and when it comes to the two programs we’re comparing – MacKeeper or Advanced Mac Cleaner – you’ll also need to decide what features and costs are important for you. While the former is full of rare features and is a true powerhouse, the latter is a simple, straightforward, and sometimes quite surprising optimizer that lacks features that you would probably never use to begin with.
Main Features | MacKeeper | Advanced Mac Cleaner |
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Free Trial | Free Trial | Free Trial |
Coupons | Coupons | Coupons |
System Cleanup | ||
Cleanup Customization | ||
Trash Cleanup | ||
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Utilities | MacKeeper | Advanced Mac Cleaner |
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Startup Optimizer | ||
Memory Optimization | ||
Privacy Protection | ||
Reindex Spotlight | ||
Mail Optimization | ||
Duplicate File Removal |
Pricing | MacKeeper | Advanced Mac Cleaner |
Price | $4.95/mo | $3.33/mo |
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Money Back Guarantee | Until cancellation | 60 days |
Payment Methods | MacKeeper | Advanced Mac Cleaner |
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Customer Support | MacKeeper | Advanced Mac Cleaner |
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MacKeeper
Although it is despised by many, MacKeeper is one of the few Mac optimizers that offer the option of real-time human assistance provided by Apple certified professionals, either during the default scan and repair or via the remote desktop feature. The software is capable of performing individual scans and repairs, uninstalling programs, memory optimization and file shredding, but it also has a built-in program updater, an antivirus, can backup your files to any hard drive, and additionally provides data encryption, file recovery and a duplicate finder. Furthermore, you can activate the anti-theft feature, with which you can report your device as missing and, hopefully, locate it via GPS.
Remote CleaningIndividual CleaningBackupAnti-Theft
Find & Fix Individual Cleaning
The Anti-Theft Feature
Unlike most of its competitors, with MacKeeper you don’t purchase a license but instead pay a monthly subscription. This is the reason you can get MacKeeper for as low as $4.95 per month, which covers all your needs for 2 whole years. To top it all, you’ll get a money back guarantee for as long as your subscription lasts, as well as a full-fledged 24/7 customer support. You even have the option to purchase the services of Apple certified technicians who can remotely monitor your Mac from time to time and complete a thorough cleanup job for you instead.
Advanced Mac Cleaner
Even though it is not as advanced as its name might suggest, Advanced Mac Cleaner is a pretty decent, user-friendly solution with some unique features. Of course it can handle many of the same functions of any optimization software, such as simultaneous or separate scans and repairs, and the ability to remove various junk files from your computer, but you can also get rid of unwanted files, make your browsing safer and manage login items, duplicate and large files. As a nice touch, the software both visually and vocally tells you what you need to do when performing the so-called One Touch cleanup. It can also remove rogue or harmful applications from your Mac without leaving a single trace.
Management of Large Files
One Touch Cleanup
If you want to purchase the full version of Advanced Mac Cleaner – since the free version is only good for scanning – you will have to search deep into your pocket. Yet once the initial six-month subscription period is over, you can pay as little as $3.33 per month for this software. Furthermore, each customer is entitled to a 60-day money back guarantee, the option to subscribe to Sticky Password (a complementary password optimizer) for $9.99 per six months ($0.83 per month thereafter) and a Mac memory optimization tool for free.
Conclusion
Although we have an idea which Mac optimizer is the better one in your eyes, both MacKeeper and Advanced have plenty of features that make each one stand out from one another. MacKeeper is practically unbeatable when it comes to features: it provides real-live (even remote controlled) support during scanning and cleaning and has built-in complementary extras such as anti-theft, antivirus, automatic program updates, data encryption and file recovery. Thanks to the subscription-based pricing policy you can get MacKeeper for very cost-friendly prices alongside an everlasting money back guarantee for as long as your subscription continues. Advanced Mac Cleaner might be a more traditional Mac optimizer but includes interesting extras such as vocal warning after deep scans and the option to remove the unwanted rogue apps poisoning your system. Better than that, even, you are entitled to enjoy this optimizer for as low as $3.33 per month, a 60-day money back guarantee and the opportunity to purchase extra solutions or receive them for free with your subscription.
Monica Jessop,
So, you have your Mac for a while, and the things are not as elementary and pure as before. Lots of users ask “How to clean my mac os x?”. Here are the steps on how to clean Mac OS X startup disk and other sections.
Upgrade Your Operating System
This instruction supposes that you have the latest Mac operating system, which is new High Sierra. In case you have mac os x Yosemite or any other, we advise you to upgrade it. If you do not do it, you will not be able to run the most effective version of the operating system, and the instruction will not make sense. For most devices since 2009 and later, the update is free.
Browse and install OS updates through Apple menu (click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen), and then About This Mac> Overview> Software Update.
Restart the Computer
Afterwards, go and reboot the computer. Almost all minor glitches or performance problems can be fixed by a simple restart. A fresh boot means a lot, in fact. You will have the most precise experience of working with your Mac. You will be able to notice, in fact, that booting up is quite slow. In this case, this is a good place to start with.
Management for Startup Items
A slow start has the opportunity to be the first aspect that you will notice when your computer starts to decay. This is often caused by applications that are started automatically when the computer is on. After several years of using your computer, it is likely that you accidentally saved a lot of these applications for an automatic launch.
They are simply changed or removed. In Apple Menu, select “System Preferences”, followed by “Users & Groups”. Depending on how many users you have, it is possible that you need to repeat the steps.
Click the Login Items tab. Subsequently, you will see a list of components that open automatically in the system. You can easily hide these items, but it will not speed up your device much. Instead, select any item that you wish to delete, and then press the minus sign (-) at the window’s bottom.
Clean Hard Disk Space
In most cases, cleaning the space on a hard drive does not speed up the performance of your computer. Nevertheless, this is an obligatory part of the Mac maintenance if your PC approaches the limits of the storage space. If you clean out your mac os frequently, this is a good idea from the organizational point of view.
Get Started with Apps
In case you do something manually, removing unnecessary applications might be an effective technique to clean Mac hard drive. To view your own applications, go to Finder> Applications.
Unlike Windows devices, Mac does not contain the integrated “Uninstall” option, which deletes the associated files with the core app files. When you uninstall applications through the Finder, review the application folders to see if there is an associated Uninstaller function. In case it is there, use it. Following the instructions of Uninstaller, you will probably delete applications as simple as it is.
Removing large files, downloads, duplicates, and installers
MacOS Sierra contains a built-in utility that will undoubtedly help you identify files that inflate your computer. Go to Apple menu> About this Mac> Storage> Manage> Recommendations, there you will see recommendations the system gives you for cleaning.
The first option is “Store in iCloud”, but in case you do not understand how iCloud works (or you have already decided to buy an additional space for iCloud savings), we recommend that you ignore this function. It frees up space on your local device, but you only get up to 5GB of free space in iCloud. It’s quite easy to fill it with photos, music, etc., especially if you have a number of Apple devices.
The next option is “Optimize Storage” that refers to iTunes video content. In case you are a fan of the movies and TV shows, this option will save your time if you do not want to delete the viewed content manually.
iTunes, iMovie and Final Cut have their own trash cans
These applications also require space and have their own in-app content as well as trash bins. If you are doing a major cleaning, do not forget to access these content libraries. iTunes offers a comfortable feature for detecting duplicates: open iTunes, then click the “Songs” tab in the library. In the top, go to “File”> “Library”> “Show duplicates”.
Empty All the Trash
Do not forget that your files and folders are not actually deleted – and won’t free up space – until you clean the trash. So, as you continue deleting, open the Trash and click “Empty” to clear everything, or select “+” and select “Delete immediately” to remove them by one.
External Storage
If you do not have enough of the internal storage, a number of inconveniences may happen from time to time. We recommend moving the files to a cloud or an external storage device, or you will encounter the same problems during the work with your Mac.
For these purposes, you can find some third-party apps like MacFly Pro and get an assistant with cleaning routine. It will be able to perform all of the above steps and propose even more features to increase the speed and performance of your Mac.
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