MacWasher is a very useful program for cleaning up the history of your activities on a Macintosh computer. Many people do not realize that MacOS and other software programs store information about what they have done, what applications they have launched, what documents they have used, what web sites they have visited, and various other activities they have performed. Therefore, anyone else can see what you have been doing on your Mac, which raises privacy concerns. Furthermore, much of your activity information takes up valuable disk space, and recovering this space can be very beneficial to Mac system performance.
Cleaning up the history of your activities can be a tedious chore of manually removing each history file or entry. If privacy and disk space are to be maintained, this process must be performed every time you use your Mac. MacWasher can automate this process for you! MacWasher's AutoWash will automatically run in the background and clean up whatever tracks you want removed, whenever you want. You can have MacWasher's AutoWash automatically clean your files when your Mac is Started or Shutdown, as well as scheduled "background" cleanings while you use your Mac. MacWasher integrates with the standard MacOS places where your tracks are kept, such as the Recent Applications Folder, Recent Documents Folder, Temporary Files Folder, and the Trash Folder. It also integrates with popular programs like Netscape and Internet Explorer. What's more, with the flexible "Custom Wash Items" feature, you can specify other files and folders that you would like to have automatically cleaned!
Quick Start
After installing MacWasher, there will be a MacWasher folder on your desktop. Within the MacWasher folder you will find two applications: "MacWasher" and "MacWasher AutoWash". You may move these files anywhere on your Mac, as long as they are kept in the same folder with each other.
If you wish to have the "MacWasher", but not "MacWasher AutoWash" icon on your desktop, make an alias of the "MacWasher" icon (select the "MacWasher" icon, then press Command-M), then drag the resulting "MacWasher alias" icon to the desktop.
Double-click the "MacWasher" (or "MacWasher alias") icon to configure MacWasher's settings, test your settings with a "simulated" wash, perform an "actual" wash, and configure the powerful MacWasher AutoWash application.
Automatic Wash Options
The MacWasher AutoWash application can be set to run automatically. There are 3 modes of Automatic washing: on MacOS Startup, on MacOS Shutdown, and at scheduled time intervals. Launch MacWasher to configure the AutoWash settings to run in any or all of these three modes.
Wash on MacOS Startup
Checking this box will cause MacWasher AutoWash to automatically clean up your selected items every time your Mac is Started.
Wash on MacOS Shutdown
Checking this box will cause MacWasher AutoWash to automatically clean up your selected items every time your Mac is Shutdown.
Scheduled Washing
After checking the "Automatic wash every" box, the popup button menu to the right of the box will become active. Using the pull down menu, you can select the time interval in which you would like MacWasher to clean your items. Time intervals range from every minute to once a day. Once you have selected a time, MacWasher AutoWash (if running) will clean your items automatically when the time is reached.
Bleaching Files
This option instructs MacWasher and AutoWash to "shred" the files it washes by overwriting the file a set number of times with random characters. This will render the files unrecoverable by utilities such as undelete and unerase. The default setting for bleach will overwrite a file 2 times, which is usually enough. The higher the number of overwrites the longer the wash cycle will take. Overwriting a file 3 times respects the DOD 5220.22-M directive for sanitizing a file on a Non-Removable Rigid Disk or a Removable Rigid Disk and overwriting a file 7 times respects the NSA approved seven-pass file erasure method. You can set the number of times to overwrite a file by clicking on the "info" button next to the "Add Bleach to Wash Items" checkbox.
Verifying and Changing Default Directories
Each time you launch MacWasher it attempts to detect all the standard wash item folder locations, such as the Netscape or Internet Explorer user profile and cache folders. Clicking on the "Change Folders and Profiles" button will display a listing of all the detected paths to each standard wash item that is to be cleaned. Below is a list of the standard directories as detected on most (but not all) system configurations:
Recent Documents: <system volume>:System Folder:Apple Menu Items:Recent Documents
Recent Applications: <system volume>:System Folder:Apple Menu Items:Recent Applications
Netscape User Profile: <system volume>:System Folder:Preferences:Netscape Δí
or <system volume>:SystemFolder:Preferences:Netscape Users:<username>
Internet Explorer User Profile: <system volume>:System Folder:Preferences:Explorer
Internet Explorer Cache: <system volume>:System Folder:Preferences:MS Internet Cache
To change any of the above detected folders, simply click on the Change button located next to the folder and then browse to the new folder and click on OK.
When you are through verifying or changing your default directories, click on Done.
Standard Wash Items
These are items that are automatically integrated into MacWasher. These items include Recent Documents, Recent Applications, Temporary Files Folder, Trash Folder, Netscape, and Internet Explorer.
MacOS Recent Documents
This Standard Wash Item cleans the history of recent documents that you have opened. The document history is stored under the MacOS Apple Menu under the Recent Documents menu item.
MacOS Recent Applications
This Standard Wash Item cleans the history of recent applications that you have launched. The application history is stored under the MacOS Apple Menu under the Recent Applications menu item.
MacOS Temporary Files Folder
This Standard Wash Item cleans the temporary files folder.
MacsBug StdLog Files
This Standard Wash Item cleans any StdLog files that it finds on your desktop. Please note that this Standard Wash Item is not performed by AutoWash at MacOS Startup, in order to preserve needed StdLog files after a system crash.
MacOS Trash Folder
This Standard Wash Item empties the Trash can.
Netscape
If you have Netscape installed on your system, you can use this option to clean up Netscape cookies, cache, history, and trash mailbox. Clicking the "info" button next to the Netscape checkbox will bring up a sub menu allowing you to select which Netscape items you would like cleaned: cookies, cache, history, and/or trash mailbox. There is also an option to exclude cookies from being washed. This option is helpful if you visit sites that store useful cookies that you wish to keep. NOTE: You must close Netscape before MacWasher will be able to clean the Netscape History items.
Internet Explorer
If you have Internet Explorer installed on your system, you can use this option to clean up Internet Explorer cookies, cache, download folder, and history. Clicking the "info" button next to the Internet Explorer checkbox will bring up a sub menu allowing you to select which Internet Explorer items you would like cleaned: cookies, cache, download folder, and/or history.
AOL - America Online
If you have AOL installed on your system, you can use this option to clean up AOL cache, download folder, and history.
Custom Wash Items
Custom Wash Items give you the flexibility of adding files and folders to be automatically cleaned for you. NOTE: MacWasher attempts to protect the integrity of your Mac by refusing to wash items in certain MacOS System folders. However, it is your responsibility to verify that your Custom Wash Items do not include folders, subfolders, and files that you do not wish to permanently delete from your Mac. This MacWasher feature is as powerful as MacOS Finder, thus you must take the same care to prevent the deletion of files that you do not wish to permanently delete from your Mac.
Adding or Editing Custom Wash Items
Click the "Add" button if you wish to add a new Custom Wash Item. If you wish to edit a Custom Wash Item, highlight the item on the Custom Wash Items menu and then click the "Edit" button.
RENAME - click the "Rename" button to change the name of the Custom Wash Item.
FOLDERS TAB - click this tab to select Folders to add to this Custom Wash Item. Browse through your Mac by clicking on the Finder-like folder browser. Select a folder to add to this Custom Wash Item. If you want MacWasher to wash the selected folder's sub-folders (all of their subfolders, recursively), click the "Include All SubFolders" checkbox such that it is checked. If you do not want MacWasher to wash the selected folder's sub-folders, make certain that the "Include All SubFolders" checkbox is not checked. Click the "Add Selected Folder" button to add the selected folder to this Custom Wash Item.
FILES TAB - click this tab to select Files to add to this Custom Wash Item. Browse through your Mac by clicking on the Finder-like file browser. Select a file to add to this Custom Wash Item. Click the "Add Selected File" button to add the selected file to this Custom Wash Item.
REMOVE SELECTED - To remove folders or files from your cleaning list, select the folder and/or file in your "Files and Paths that will be washed" list and then click on the "Remove Selected" button.
DONE - click the "Done" button when finished.
Deleting Custom Wash Items
To delete a Custom Wash Item from your list, click on the item you wish to delete and then click the "Delete" button.
Washing and Simulated Washing
Click the "Wash Now" button located at the bottom-left of the main window in order to begin a Wash or a Simulated Wash. A Simulated Wash goes through the process of washing your Mac without actually deleting anything. Simulated Washes allow you to "test" your configuration before actually deleting any files. Additionally, a Simulate Wash will let you know approximately how much disk space will be recovered after a wash.
You will see each and every file cleaned as MacWasher washes (or simulates washing) your selected items.
TRIAL LICENSE AGREEMENT
Webroot Software, Inc. licenses the MacWasher software to you only upon the condition that you accept all of the terms contained in this license agreement.
YOU MAY:
(i) use MacWasher on any number of computers for thirty (30) days.
YOU MAY NOT:
(i) use MacWasher for more than 30 days;
(ii) sublicense, rent, sell, or lease any portion of MacWasher;
(iii) reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, modify, translate, make any attempt to discover the source code of MacWasher, or create derivative works from MacWasher; or
(iv) use MacWasher after 30 days on a greater number of computers than the number of licenses of MacWasher you have purchased.
WARRANTY
Webroot Software, Inc. warrants that their MacWasher software will substantially perform its functions to remove certain information that is automatically stored on the hard drive of the users computer, when MacWasher is used correctly and in accordance with specifications and instructions.
WEBROOT SOFTWARE, INC. MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Your sole and exclusive remedy for breach of this warranty is the replacement of the MacWasher or a refund of the purchase price, at Webroots option.
Some states do not allow the limitation or exclusion of implied warranties and you may be entitled to additional rights in those states.
DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES
Webroot Software, Inc. has made reasonable efforts to ensure that MacWasher is free of any bugs or errors, however in no way is MacWasher to be considered error or bug free. Because MacWasher removes information from the hard drive of the user's computer, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the specifications and instructions before using the product. You assume all responsibility for any damages or lost data that may result from the use of or from any errors or bugs in MacWasher.
IN NO EVENT WILL WEBROOT SOFTWARE, INC. NOR TREXAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC., (TREXAR) NOR ANY OF THEIR OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THIS LICENSE.
In no case shall Webroot Softwares or Trexar's liability exceed the purchase price for the MacWasher.
GENERAL:
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and WebRoot. You acknowledge and agree that there are no other writings, oral representations or other communications or representations upon which you are relying in entering into this Agreement. Any and all writings, oral representations or other communications or representations that you may have recieved concerning MacWasher have no effect--it is the terms of this Agreement that will control all issues involving your use of MacWasher.
All rights to MacWasher are owned by Webroot Software, Inc. and are protected by United States copyright laws, international treaty provisions and other applicable laws. Webroot Software, Inc. retains all rights not expressly granted by this Agreement.
This license shall terminate automatically thirty days after installation of MacWasher or upon the violation by you of any of the terms stated herein. All disclaimers of damages and other limitations of liability will remain in full force and effect. Upon termination of this license, you must destroy all copies of MacWasher in your posession.
This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado.
Should you have any questions concerning this Agreement, or if you desire to contact Webroot Software, Inc. for any reason, please write: Webroot Software, Inc. P.O. Box 3531, Boulder CO 80307-3531.
