![]() ![]() It has a good uninstaller and is a "good citizen" on macOS. Last but not least, I want to reiterate that MalwareBytes is a well-made app. So, if an OP reports problems installing MalwareBytes, how is anyone to know that it had been installed before and then been scrambled by an "app zapper"? MalwareBytes now has even more hooks into the operating system now that it includes a kernel extension.ĥ) System install receipts are gone, erasing any evidence that the user had ever installed MalwareBytes. I don't know if this is just a problem with MalwareBytes or with any apps that uses privileged helpers. I discovered that it was very easy to get MalwareBytes into an invalid state where it could no longer be reinstalled. When MalwareBytes first started using a privileged helper, I played around with it. Because the app has been incorrectly uninstalled, a reinstall might fail. Suppose the user decides to try an updated version of MalwareBytes. What happens to that data now? This could cause problems in the future. There are numerous system databases that maintain records of MalwareBytes and manage system resources. This shouldn't cause any problems however.Ĥ) Software like this saves metadata in more places that is listed by the "app zapper". What exactly does MalwareBytes do when only the kernel extension is installed? Does anyone know?ģ) System cache files are corrupted. For MalwareBytes specifically, any of the following could occur:ġ) Processes could be left running in the background until restartĢ) A kernel extension could be left installed forever. So what would happen if you deleted all of these files? No way to tell really. Does the "app zapper" correctly stop those processes and unload the launchd tasks?Ħ) And what about that kernel extension? Does the "app zapper" do anything about that? 3rd party apps should not be modifying operating system files.ĥ) 3 of the items on that list are persistence files for background processes. Can the "app zapper" even remove it due to the tight OS control?Ĥ) 9 of the items on that list were created by, and are managed by, the operating system, not MalwareBytes. Said kernel extension is not on your list. Kernel extensions in High Sierra are tightly controlled by the operating system and under System Integrity Protection. I wonder what those lines show Ģ) MalwareBytes is software that does have a good and functional uninstaller ģ) MalwareBytes includes a kernel extension. Consider these important points:ġ) You omitted at least one line from that list. When in doubt, stick with the Mac App Store. Unfortunately, it is impossible for end users to tell when this is happening. In some cases, scam apps will lie about their uninstallation procedure. If an app has an installer, and especially if the installer asks for your password, then you will not be able to unistall it by dragging it to the trash. Usually, but not always, if the app is distributed as a stand-alone app that you install by dragging it to your applications folder, then you can usually remove it by dragging the app to the trash. You can delete a Mac App Store app just by dragging it to the trash.įor any other type of software, you have to make sure you know how to uninstall it before you start. ![]() This software is forbidden from writing files outside of its private container. Ideally, you should only install software from the Mac App Store. Even worse, scam apps often use this kind of “app zapper” feature to lure new customers. Many of the files that an “app zapper” finds are actually operating system metadata files that should never be deleted. Even worse, these ”app zappers” can delete too many files. They can miss some components, not just leaving some files still installed, but even leaving some software still running forever in the background. ![]() Many people use “app zappers” but such tools are misleading. A few, very high quality apps come with official uninstallers that will remove all traces of themselves. ![]() Many apps simply cannot be completely uninstalled. Until the introduction of the Mac App Store, the Mac had no installer/uninstaller architecture. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |