DetectX is the troubleshooting tool for your Mac. The only troubleshooting app that runs on every version of OS X from 2011 to present and that allows you to:
- Fix problems: - Use the Detector View to find and trash the hidden and not-so-hidden files belonging to apps and processes that can be responsible for performance problems. There are generally three categories of things the Detector searches for: commercial apps with hidden executables, adware and keyloggers.
- Stay Informed: - DetectX warns you when 3rd party applications, processes or files are added or removed to crucial areas of your mac that may impact performance. The Inspector runs automatically on launch and whenever you manually use the ‘Record’ function in the Inspector View.
- Analyse and Diagnose: - The History View keeps logs of all the Inspector’s runs and allows you or a technical adviser to analyse and diagnose what changes occurred on your mac. For convenience, you can review all logs, individual logs or just a list of changes.
Note: DetectX 2 suggests a $10 license purchase on start-up. Commercial and Institutional users are required to buy a commercial-use license.
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You can 'Search' for the following:
1) MacKeeper - Fine, good riddance to worst-in-class rubbish.
2) Wirelurker - This is MALWARE. The theory goes that this malware was only ever used in China by the Chinese communist government in order to spy on their own citizens. I know Apple has blocked its installation via its XProtect system built into OS X. Use anti-malware to remove it! Manual removal may not get all of it.
3) MacCleanse - This is an ordinary Mac clean up utility. There's nothing great or awful about it. Why is it detected?
4) iAntiVirus - WHY? This is indeed possibly the worst of the available free anti-malware applications, long ago abandoned by awful Symantec. I suppose it's good to know if you have it because it's utterly out-of-date and useless.
5) CleanMyMac - Again, an ordinary Mac cleanup utility of no bad reputation or good. Why is it detected?
6) Genieo - Nefarious ADWARE.
7) Lastly, DetectX searches for 'Misc Badware'. There is no explanation as to what this is, including at the developer's website. But my digging around in the code did reveal the following searches:
A) DivX - This is a cruddy old video codex with related player and encoder software, basically just useless junk. It did once infect victims with adware, earning it a bad reputation.
B) Savekeep - Nefarious ADWARE.
C) GoPhoto.it - Nefarious ADWARE.
D) Trovi - Web browser hijacking malware.
E) SafariOmnibar - This is some old extension for Safari some people didn't like. Nothing bad.
F) Yontoo/YontooLayers - Nefarious ADWARE.
G) ChatZum/zako - Nefarious ADWARE.
H) Firefox MyBrowserBar extensions - ADWARE.
That may be all DetectX detects, but don't consider this a complete list.
You can "Show" the items DetectX finds, therefore, you can manually remove these items. But I would NOT use DetectX for that purpose except for innocuous stuff. For ADWARE and MALWARE, use appropriate and reputable removal tools. For adware, get Thomas Reed's free AdwareMedic, which is excellent. For malware, try both ClamXAV and Sophos Anti-Virus, which are free. The best commercial anti-malware for client computer is, IMHO, Intego's VirusBarrier. I personally recommend staying away from the Symantec stuff.
Overall, this is just a detection program, not a removal program. I'd suggest getting better programs to find AND remove both the malware and adware. AdwareMedic finds ALL Mac malware AND removes it. Any of the reputable anti-malware applications can find Wirelurker malware. There is no important reason to bother finding the other items on the search list of DetectX. I don't see the point. I wanted to give this three stars as maybe useful, middling sort of freeware. Overall, it doesn't hurt anything or do any phoning home. But I don't actually see the point of its existence when there are much more focused and useful utilities. So, I can only give it two stars. Look elsewhere for much better tools that do its job.
Since TechTool is no longer included with AppleCare Protection Plans, they will surely want to include this software from now on.
And obviously this $10 masterpiece will now put DiskWarrior, Malwarebytes, TechTool, EtreCheck and many other inferior products right out of business. [sarcasm]