How to remove rootkit malware from your Mac: Simple guide

October 19, 2022

silver iMac near space gray MacBook Pro

Your Mac is your precious investment. It is a product of your hard work (also, since Mac products are not really cheap nowadays, they are a bit expensive). So, it is normal to get frantic when you find your Mac is not functioning well. But do not panic. At times, all it takes is a little cleaning.

Important Tips To Remember When Cleaning Your Mac

Keeping your Mac in perfect working order is crucial to get as much advantage as possible from your Apple device. The first major way to clean up your Mac is by cleaning the inside. Remember that though this takes some time, it will all be worth it. Follow this comprehensive step-by-step guide on how you can clean up and optimize your Mac so it becomes faster and more responsive.

Step 1: Update Your Software

The first essential step to optimizing your Mac’s internals is to update your software. This involves installing any patches, application updates, and security updates. Do not ignore update requests from Apple because these will help maintain your computer’s security, and so you can receive the latest features and enhancements. Furthermore, these software updates are also

efficient enough to streamline the application.

Step 2: Tidy Up Your Start-Up

This involves checking for programs that start automatically when turning on the computer. It is recommended that you delete such programs or remove them from the Start menu.

To find items automatically opening and running in the background, simply follow these steps:

  1. First, click System Preferences, then proceed to Users & Accounts, then select the Login tab.
  2. Have a look through the items and remove those you do not need to start automatically.

It is also vital to completely turn off your system about once weekly. This clears the memory and closes programs that might be running in the background.

Step 3: Clean Out Unused Applications

For this step, you must look at your desktop and remove shortcuts for any documents and programs you are no longer using. Delete these documents and programs, or transfer them to storage. Then, use Software Update to uninstall unnecessary applications.

To proceed to Software Update, tap the apple icon, then choose App Store, then update or uninstall programs.

Step 4: Clean Out Your Downloads Folder 

Your downloads folder may sometimes get bogged down with lots of old downloads. Move everything in that folder to storage. Or you can also choose to delete it if it is no longer used.

Step 5: Tidy Up The Storage Disk

You must check and fix your storage disk to optimize your system further. Here is how to do it:

  1. Proceed to Choose Applications, then to Utilities, then choose Disk Utility.
  2. Afterward, choose your storage drive. Then, tap Verify Disk.
  3. If any errors are returned, select Repair Disk.

Here are more notes about this step. If you are running OS X Sierra, you can also automatically optimize your storage. This feature will transfer some of your items to iCloud. But first, you must set up your iCloud account. To do this, proceed to System Preferences, then select iCloud.

It is a great idea to go through your storage disk’s files and remove anything that is unnecessary, such as programs you are not using anymore, games you do not play, and files you do not need to keep. Do not hoard. Freeing up our storage drive’s space will help your computer respond faster.

If you see your Mac running out of storage space, it could signal that it is time for an upgrade. Consider using a solid-state drive or SSD instead of a hard drive.

Step Six: Tidy Up The Cache

You will also be able to fully optimize your system once you clean out the cache that your system is saving each time you visit a website.

For those using Safari as their web browser, follow these steps:

  1. First, launch Safari. Second, click Preferences.
  2. Third, click Advanced, then proceed to Show Develop Menu.
  3. Then, proceed to Check Develop Menu, then Empty Caches.

And you are good to go. Also, make sure to back up your data too regularly.

Step 7: Delete Resource-Hungry Programs

Note that some programs use more processor and memory resources compared with others. Here is how you can find out which applications are utilizing memory resources:

  1. From the Finder app, tap Applications, then Utilities, then Activity Monitor. Then, click the Memory and the CPU tab.
  2. You will then be able to have a glimpse at the processes listed in order of the amount of memory they are using.

Decide if you still need to use programs using the most resources or if you can close them.

Should you still need to consistently use these programs that consume a lot of memory, consider obtaining more memory or RAM?

Step 8: Lastly, Take Away The Trash

The last step is simple. Make sure to empty your trash after you have removed applications and other deleted items.

Sometimes, All It Takes Is Really A Little Cleaning

These follow basic logic. If something is not working correctly, you troubleshoot and use tools like a malware cleaner to remove it. It is also imperative to clean the hardware itself. Cleaning the outside of your Mac device prevents grime and dust from meddling into the vents and keyboard. Plus, this also gives you a psychological boost to de-clutter your desk area.

Shut down and unplug your computer, then use a damp cloth to clean specks of dust from surfaces, but be aware of the type of chemicals you use, especially for your monitor or screen. Spray your cleaner on the cloth to avoid moisture getting into any of the ports. Use compressed air to clean the keyboard keys and the vents.

For MacBooks, take advantage of short air bursts to tidy up the vents without harming the internal fans. You may also take this opportunity to find out and tidy up the cables tangled around.

These cleaning tips for your software and hardware will de-clutter and optimize your Mac so you can work and play without interference.

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