96 lines
4.0 KiB
Markdown
96 lines
4.0 KiB
Markdown
# **Zoom Anti-Spyware: Fully Remove Zoom and Its Hidden Garbage**
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Zoom: It's not just a video conferencing tool; it's a **clutter factory** and, arguably, **spyware**. While you think uninstalling Zoom via macOS is enough, think again. Zoom loves to fill your computer with background services, spyware-like components, and files that persist across uninstallation attempts—making it behave more like malware than a meeting tool.
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---
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## **What This Script Does**
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This script:
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- Stops any sneaky Zoom processes, daemons, and auto-start services.
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- Deletes every trace of Zoom from your system: applications, support files, logs, caches, daemons, and receipts.
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- Ensures Zoom cannot "mysteriously" reinstall itself after you’ve told it to leave.
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- Verifies that your system is truly Zoom-free.
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---
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## **Why You Should Care**
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Here’s why you should *really* think twice about trusting Zoom:
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1. **A Spyware-Like Trail**: Zoom installs unnecessary daemons and leaves long-living cruft all over your filesystem.
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2. **Persistent Reinstallation**: Even when you uninstall it through macOS, Zoom’s services stay behind and can reinstall the app without your consent.
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3. **Exposed for Lying to Customers**: Zoom has a long history of leaking customer data and misleading its users about security and privacy practices.
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4. **Suspicious EULA**: Their End-User License Agreement is vague and troubling, giving Zoom access to far more data than you might expect.
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5. **Shady Business Practices**: Zoom hires well-known, high-reputation figures as a smokescreen for what are likely unethical data practices.
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Why tolerate all this from a tool that should just help you join a meeting?
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---
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## **Quick Start: Uninstall Zoom in One Command**
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Run this single command in your terminal to remove Zoom entirely. **Ensure you trust the script source before running this.**
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```bash
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curl -s https://git.nixc.us/colin/zoom-antispyware/raw/branch/main/uninstall-zoom.sh | bash
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```
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This will:
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1. Download the `uninstall-zoom.sh` script from the repository.
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2. Execute the script to completely remove Zoom and all its junk files.
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---
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## **What’s Inside the Script?**
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Here’s what the script does:
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1. Stops any Zoom-related background processes and daemons using `launchctl`.
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2. Deletes Zoom and all its related files from these directories:
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- `/Applications`
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- `~/Library/Application Support`
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- `/Library/PrivilegedHelperTools`
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- `/Library/LaunchDaemons`
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- System caches, logs, and receipts
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3. Ensures no persistent components remain.
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4. Recommends rebooting your system to clear any lingering processes or cached services.
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---
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## **Why You Can’t Just Drag Zoom to the Trash**
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Uninstalling Zoom the "normal" way through macOS doesn’t remove:
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- Background services like `ZoomDaemon` that continue to run in the background.
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- Files in hidden system directories that allow Zoom to reinstall itself.
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- Junk that clogs your system long after you’ve "uninstalled" the app.
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Zoom is notorious for hiding files in places you wouldn’t expect and running processes you didn’t agree to.
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---
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## **How to Verify Zoom Is Gone**
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Once you’ve run the script, double-check that no Zoom files remain on your system:
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```bash
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find ~/Library /Library -iname "*zoom*" 2>/dev/null
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```
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If no files appear, you’re finally free of Zoom’s spyware-like grasp.
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---
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## **A Final Word on Zoom**
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Zoom has proven itself to be:
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- **Dishonest**: Exposed multiple times for leaking user data and misleading customers.
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- **Overreaching**: Filling your filesystem with junk and running unnecessary services.
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- **Untrustworthy**: Their suspicious EULA and shady practices show a lack of respect for users' privacy.
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By removing Zoom from your computer, you’re taking back control over your system and protecting your data from a company that has shown it doesn’t deserve your trust.
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---
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## **Feedback or Issues?**
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Found something the script missed? Open an issue or submit a PR on this repository. Let’s make sure Zoom finally cleans up after itself. |