Re: You can protect your Mac from malware by following three simple rules!

From	"David B." <"David B."@invalid.org>
Newsgroups	alt.computer.workshop, uk.comp.sys.mac
Subject	Re: You can protect your Mac from malware by following three simple rules!
Date	2026-05-27 07:56 +0100
Organization	Retired
Message-ID	<n7nithF63ldU1@mid.individual.net> (permalink)
References	<n0qntoF2nsU1@mid.individual.net> <n7mivtF1f3tU1@mid.individual.net> <6a161a6d$0$26$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com> <n7mllvF1ss7U1@mid.individual.net> <6a162b0d$2$23$882e4bbb@reader.netnews.com>

Cross-posted to 2 groups.

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On 27/05/2026 00:21, Brock McNuggets wrote:
> On May 26, 2026 at 3:37:51 PM MST, ""David B."" wrote
> <n7mllvF1ss7U1@mid.individual.net>:
> 
> ...
>>>>>
>>>>> Not relevant... especially given the people here. What I am basing this on is
>>>>> trying to get you to answer some simple questions... things about where you
>>>>> got the idea ALL files tied to an app would go away if you deleted the app. It
>>>>> has never been that way -- but you were very resistant to answering and kept
>>>>> changing topics. But you DID answer. You noted AI agreed my assessment was
>>>>> correct (and thus you were in error). That means, I hope (but doubt) you will
>>>>> move on from getting caught up on EtreCheck acting as a standard macOS app.
>>>>>
>>>>> That is one of your challenges -- you have no real understanding of even the
>>>>> basics of how apps work... why they leave files in the Library or why the
>>>>> Library is behind a "soft" hide, for example. Then you see these things and
>>>>> create stories in your head of whatever software you are focused on doing
>>>>> wrong because it acts AS IT SHOULD.
>>>>
>>>> I have been taught that one should never install an App from outside of
>>>> the App
>>>> store if it doesn't have it's own uninstaller.
>>>
>>> You have been taught incorrectly.
>>
>> Then you need to question this on the ASC forums!
> 
> I already know the answer. It is not in any way true. Most apps on macOS do
> not have installers. That is fine and by design. What is there to ask?
> 
>>>> Do you agree with that?
>>>
>>> Not at all. Why would having an installer matter? Most apps on macOS do not.
>>
>> I think you meant to say UNinstaller.  Again, you must ask the gurus on
>> the ASC forums!
> 
> Installer or uninstaller. None needed. No need to ask.

I cannot believe you said that!

>>>>>>>> Viz:-
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> *WHY* have you not used your skills and knowledge to help novice users
>>>>>>>> who ask questions on the Apple Support Communities (ASC) forums?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Not much has changed since the last time you asked me and we went into some
>>>>>>> detail. I have looked at the ASC forums and not found much of interest. I am
>>>>>>> sure I have looked at the mac-forums, too... not sure about the mac-help. But,
>>>>>>> AGAIN, if you find there are things there you believe would interest me and
>>>>>>> where I might help or get help I am happy to dive in.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> This item might help you reflect on why you aren't involved:-
>>>>>>
>>>>>> https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256174738?sortBy=rank
>>>>>
>>>>> Nothing to "reflect" on. There are MANY communities I am not involved in.
>>>>
>>>> But ignoring the principal Apple-sponsored forum seems anathema to me.
>>>> <shrug>
>>>>
>>>> Try to explain your reason for this.
>>>
>>> There is nothing to explain. Not interested. That is it. If you want to get me
>>> interested you will have to show reasons. I have suggested you do with sharing
>>> content that might interest me. Even if you do, though, I might look at that
>>> post and few others. Or even no others.
>>
>> The reason you should ask on the ASC forums is for you to *LEARN*!
> 
> Above your example is something I already know. There is no need for an
> installer / uninstaller for most apps on macOS.

Can you provide support for that claim? I think not!
>> Question for you to ask:-  "Why does having an App uninstaller matter?"
> 
> I already know at least the basics -- it does not matter. It is not needed.
> 
> Where it would matter to have an uninstaller is if files are saved in
> nonstandard places or are very large so they matter when you remove the app.
> Some apps install background processes or helpers and those are not removed by
> deleting the app -- so it matters even more there.[....]


Thank you for perfectly making my case for me, Brock.

In your other post in the "Screenshot!" thread, you admitted that you
blindly dragged an app to the Trash, completely unaware that it had left
past reports lingering behind in your ~/Library directory until I
pointed it out to you.

Furthermore, tools like EtreCheck do exactly what you just described:
they run background processes, set up launch agents/daemons, and store
data outside the basic .app bundle.

By your own explicit admission above, if an app installs background
helpers or leaves unremoved files behind, it does matter, and an
uninstaller is needed. Yet, when a developer fails to provide one, and
leaves users to manually hunt down junk in their ~/Library paths, you
defend it as "acting as it should."

You can't have it both ways. Either it "matters even more" for apps that
leave background processes and files behind—meaning my advice to look
for an uninstaller is entirely correct—or you need to go back and
rewrite your definitions. Which is it?

-- 
Your friend!
David

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