Ok, I keep getting email advertising from Smith Micro for a cleaning program for Mac. It says it will clean my cache, get rid of old cookies, and random files that I don't need anymore.
I was originally under the impression that I don't need programs like this for Mac, just like I don't need virus software. Is there any truth to that, or should I get the program? I AM sort of a sucker when it comes to that stuff, I would appreciate you guys setting me straight:)

Thanks!

My impression is that you really probably do not need it, unless you are really gong to customize and know what you are getting rid of.  I always hear of people with Finale that lose their registration, preferences, etc because programs like this on Mac (or Windows) have removed those settings/files - some of which are hidden.

Don't buy it.  Seriously.

[quote author=Lydian9 link=topic=2432.msg12970#msg12970 date=1209417060]I was originally under the impression that I don't need programs like this for Mac, just like I don't need virus software. Is there any truth to that[/quote]

That really depends on your definition of ";need."; Macs are just as open to viruses and malware as a Windows machine. The marketing and hype that you don't need software protection comes into play because Macs just aren't targeted as much as Windows PCs. There was a[url=http://www.macobserver.com/article/2008/03/28.1.shtml] [u]recent hacking competition[/u][/url] that challenege to hack either a Windows, Mac, or Linux machine. The MacBook Air was the first one hacked through a security flaw in Safari. If I was a hacker and I want to write a virus and have it infect as many machines as possible, I'm going to write it to run on a Windows platform because there are many more Windows users than Mac OS users. Get it?

If you are safe and cautious in your web surfing and email habits and don't visit sketchy websites, then I probably wouldn't worry about it. I'm also sure you could find some free utilities for Mac to help clear out your internet cache and temp files similar to [url=http://www.ccleaner.com][u]Crap Cleaner[/u][/url] for Windows. While it's not necessary to do so, it is good practice, and will keep your machine running in tip top safe for the long haul.

But you don't need a 3rd party app to clean out cache, temp files, or cookies on either Mac or PC- both have built-in ability to do it.

Josh- what that hacking article left out was the people at the competition were all focused on the Mac, because a larger prize of $40k was being awarded at a later contest to hack Vista... which they did. 

[quote author=J Mattson link=topic=2432.msg12995#msg12995 date=1209518754]
But you don't need a 3rd party app to clean out cache, temp files, or cookies on either Mac or PC- both have built-in ability to do it.[/quote]

Sure, but the beauty of CCleaner is that it will clear out 10 different apps, systems logs, menus, recently used items, temp directories, etc all with the push of one button. And it has an easy to use registry cleaner built in.

[quote]Josh- what that hacking article left out was the people at the competition were all focused on the Mac, because a larger prize of $40k was being awarded at a later contest to hack Vista... which they did.�� [/quote]

The MacBook Air was obviously targeted because they were giving it away to whoever could hack it first, but my point was mainly that Macs can be and [i]are[/i] compromised just as easily and quickly as a Windows machine.

When a real-world virus actually hits OS X, then I'll listen to someone argue that Windows is just as safe.  The ";more people use Windows"; argument is bad logic.  Apple's market share has made considerable gains in the last several years and there are tens of millions currently in use.  There are also legions of anti-Mac/pro-windows people out there that would love to see OS X's reputation crushed by just one little spyware app or virus. 

It hasn't happened, so they resort to unrealistic hacking contests, then bend the rules when they fail. 

Back on topic: OS X performs maintenance tasks automatically when the computer is idle.  There's no need for 3rd party clean-up programs. 

[quote author=J Mattson link=topic=2432.msg12999#msg12999 date=1209534488]
When a real-world virus actually hits OS X, then I'll listen to someone argue that Windows is just as safe.��[/quote]

[url=http://www.techworld.com/security/news/index.cfm?newsid=5392][u]Leap-A Virus[/u][/url]
[url=http://www.macobserver.com/article/2007/11/01.1.shtml][u]Trojan Horse[/u][/url]
[url=http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/67899,macarena-virus-hits-apple-mac-os-x.aspx][u]Macarena Virus[/u][/url]
Those were on the first page of Google.

I'm not arguing that a Mac isn't safer, it certainly can be, if only because it isn't widely targeted, but to pretend like it's completely immune to attack is fallacy.

Leap-A Virus: ";Although the virus is benign, and is not believed to be spreading in large numbers...";

Trojan Horse: ";OSX.RSPlug.A is not like a virus that can move from computer to computer. Instead, it requires users to intentionally install it. ";

Macarena: ";Proof-of-concept virus largely harmless.";

These are ";malware"; at best.  Not a system crippling, data destroying virus like the thousands that have plagued Windows.  So I'll stick to my original statement.

The point stands - viruses and malware DO exist for the Mac. No OS is 100% secure, and Macs will be targeted more in the future as they continue to gain popularity. Like I originally said, do you ";need"; virus software? Not really, I don't run any on my Windows and Linux machines either, but don't be fooled by all the marketing and hype surrounding the Mac platform, no one is 100% safe.

You just really want to bash Mac don't you?  This topic isn't even about viruses, it's about the value of a system cleaning program. 

You don't even own a Mac, so why reply to a ";Hey Mac users!"; thread in the first place?  You just want to argue. 

No one even said ";I'm 100% safe,"; so you're just interjecting comments to stir up your own anti-Mac feelings.  Arguing on the internet is stupid, but go ahead and have the last word. 

TENSION!!! lol

argghhhh keep it friendly... like Family Matters, Step-by-Step, or Who's The Boss!!! lol

[quote author=J Mattson link=topic=2432.msg13009#msg13009 date=1209585421]so you're just interjecting comments to stir up your own anti-Mac feelings.��
[/quote]

Lol I love Macs, I'll be buying a MacBook Pro as soon as I can afford one, it's a nice little OS. I just prefer to be realistic, and I wasn't the one who started the argument. ;-)

For the OP here's a link to an app similar to CCleaner: [url=http://www.maintain.se/cocktail/index.php][u]Cocktail[/u][/url]. Sorry, it's not free I'm still looking for one that is.

[quote author=Josh Champagne link=topic=2432.msg13013#msg13013 date=1209590632]
For the OP here's a link to an app similar to CCleaner: [url=http://www.maintain.se/cocktail/index.php][u]Cocktail[/u][/url]. Sorry, it's not free I'm still looking for one that is.
[/quote]


Try OnyX. It is freeware and works great.

Ted Boliske

I frequently use Onyx as well. It doesn't necessarily do anything you couldn't do yourself manually, but for simple things like cleaning out various  cache, history, etc, it's pretty quick and easy.