One of my favorite pieces of software for keeping my Mac in good condition has just been given a significant update by its developer MacPaw. The latest version of CleanMyMax X now sports a new malware removal tool powered by Moonlock Engine.
MacPaw has developed Moonlock Engine and will be maintained by a team of cybersecurity researchers and engineers that the company has assembled as a new division. The Moonlock team will focus on emerging security threats aimed specifically at Mac users.
The Moonlock Engine can scan for malware at twice the speed of the previous malware removal tool built into CleanMyMac X. Moonlock can search for threats in additional locations like external drives, email attachments, archives and even browser extensions.
In a press release, MacPaw says the new version of CleanMyMac X can also be customized to scan for potential threats according to the user’s preferences. For example, it’s possible to prioritize scanning for speed or coverage. I’ve previewed a beta version of the new CleanMyMac X and it is considerably faster at scanning for malware than the previous version.
“The new Malware Removal module is the second most popular choice among users after CleanMyMac’s core Smart Scan tool. Millions of users cherish the Malware Removal for its ease of use and dependability,” said Dmytro Melnyk, Lead Product Manager at CleanMyMac X. “Now Malware Removal module gets a boost in effectiveness with the Moonlock Engine, enhancing its power and ensuring an even better level of protection and security for all CleanMyMac X users.”
A survey conducted to coincide with the launch of the new software found that as the incidence of cyber threats increases, so does the level of concern among computer users. However, keeping a computer protected requires a certain level of expertise. MacPaw’s survey discovered that around 52% of Mac users would appreciate talking to a qualified cybersecurity professional. Meanwhile, 30% of the survey’s respondents said they had difficulty finding reliable sources of information on malware.
MacPaw says its main aim in setting up the Moonlock team is to bridge the gap between emerging cyber threats and Mac users’ knowledge to protect their computers. The Moonlock team says it will share its expertise on potential threats at Moonlock.com.
MacPaw has been developing macOS software for some 15 years now. Although these types of macOS management software packages have received some criticism in the past, I’ve been using this particular software for the past five years and in my personal view, it’s ideal for freeing up disk space and generally pepping up my Mac’s performance, especially by clearing bloated logs and caches. I can also say that it’s never damaged my system or caused me an issue.
Although most of the procedures executed by CleanMyMac X can be carried out using terminal commands within macOS, that skill is often beyond the knowledge of many Mac users. Also, you can’t carry out the Malware module of CleanMyMac X with tools built into macOS.
I run CleanMyMac X weekly on my Mac mini M2 Pro to ensure things run smoothly, keep any bloatware in check, and reclaim purgeable disk space. Yes, I could do some of those tasks manually using the Terminal app; it’s much quicker with software and saves me time. CleanMyMac X is also useful for uninstalling and updating software.
Other Mac cleaning packages like Mac Cleaner Pro, DaisyDisk and Onyx are also available. I’ve tried most of them, but the reliability of CleanMyMac X makes me come back to it every time. I think it’s the best general package regarding performance and value.
Pricing & Availability: The latest version of CleanMyMac X is available today and costs $34.95 / £29.95 / €34.95 per annum. Multiple licenses attract discounts.
More info: here
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