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Protect your Mac from malware. macOS has many features that help protect your Mac and your personal information from malicious software, or malware. One common way malware is distributed is by embedding it in a harmless-looking app. You can reduce this risk by using software only from reliable sources.
- Protecting against malware in macOS
XProtect automatically detects and blocks the execution of...
- Protecting against malware in macOS
- Overview
- Signs you might have a problem
- What you can do
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How-to
By Bryan M Wolfe
last updated 22 June 2021
Your computer might be telling you something
(Image credit: Shutterstock.com)
If you didn't think anti-virus software was needed on your Mac, think again. Growing threats have made all computers susceptible to viruses and malware - including those with macOS. While Apple's software has traditionally done a great job of protecting devices, adding another layer of defense is useful if only for added peace of mind.
Infected machines give off different red flags to indicate when there is a problem. Your computer probably won't show every sign, but at least a few of them.
These include:
- The clearest sign that a virus might have hit your computer is that it's running much slower than usual.
- A surprising change to your web browser's homepage could be another sign that something has happened. New toolbars in Safari would also suggest there's a problem, Houston.
- Unexpected ads or security alerts popping up could be another sign. Adware clicks are peskier than outright dangerous, but they need to be swatted nonetheless.
- Being unable to open files or system settings on your Mac is a major sign things aren't quite right.
If you're convinced your computer has malware, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve the issue. The first step depends on whether you already have an anti-virus software package installed. If you do, run a system scan immediately and see if it detects a problem. Make sure the software is using the latest update. If not, be sure to install it. If malware has been detected, follow the directions for removal from your anti-virus software provider.
Without anti-virus software installed, there are other troubleshooting steps you can take. After performing each, reboot your computer.
First, take a look inside the 'Applications' folder on your Mac and look for unknown software titles. Delete these apps by dragging them into 'Trash', then right-clicking and selecting 'Delete Trash'.
You should also delete everything in the 'Downloads' folder. It's here where you'll find files downloaded from the internet.
Next, take a look at the login items on your computer. Go into 'System Preferences', click 'Users & Groups', and choose the 'Login Items' tab. Uncheck any item that looks suspicious.
Finally, go into the 'Safari' app and choose Safari > Preferences from the menu bar. Choose the 'General' tab and check the 'HomePage' listing. Is it correct or a site you didn't add? Change the 'HomePage', as needed. Additionally, in Safari > Preferences, click on the 'Extensions' tab and make sure these are the ones you installed. Delete the extensions that don't look right.
If you're still having issues with your Mac, it's time to contact Apple support for additional troubleshooting. Steps may involve the company remotely examining your computer to visiting an Apple retail store.
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- Freelance Writer
- February 4, 1986
- Use a Third-Party Malware Scanner. The best way of removing malware from your Mac is to run a malware scanner. This software not only properly identifies and detects malware, but more importantly removes it as well.
- Remove Unwanted Applications. One of the first things you should do is check for any suspicious applications on your Mac and remove them. Open a Finder window and navigate to your Applications folder.
- Check for Suspicious Login Items. For malware, it’s pretty common for it to start misbehaving as soon as you boot up your machine. This is why checking your Login Items can be important.
- Remove Malware Via Safe Mode and Activity Monitor. NOTE. This will involve booting your Mac into Safe Mode. Removing malware can be pretty simple so long as you’re in Safe Mode.
- Karen Haslam
- Apps are checked before they can be installed. Foundry. Apple makes it hard to install an app that might not be safe on a Mac. Mac users can choose to only install apps from the Mac App Store, which is the safest option as it means that the app has been thoroughly checked by Apple before being distributed.
- App Management stops unauthorized apps making modifications. Foundry. App Management is a privacy setting that arrived in macOS Ventura. It is intended to prevent malicious software modifications by watching for attempts by software to modify other apps.
- XProtect blocks malware from running. Even if the developer is recognized by Apple, the software will still be checked against a list of known malware in XProtect.
- Malware is removed by XProtect Remediator. Foundry. When malware is identified on a Mac the user sees an alert suggesting that the affected app has been moved to the trash.
May 7, 2024 · XProtect automatically detects and blocks the execution of known malware. In macOS 10.15 or later, XProtect checks for known malicious content whenever: An app is first launched. An app has been changed (in the file system) XProtect signatures are updated. When XProtect detects known malware, the software is blocked and the user is notified and ...
Mar 2, 2024 · Using this feature can also prove to be an effective way to check your Mac for viruses and malware. Step 1: Open the System Settings app and go to General > Login Items. Step 2: Check the list at ...
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Aug 15, 2024 · Here’s how to use Activity Monitor to check for malware on your Mac: Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor, or use Spotlight (Command ⌘ + Space) and type Activity Monitor. Once open, click the CPU tab and look for processes consuming an unusually high amount of resources without a clear reason.
