How to scan your Mac for malware and remove it If your friends start receiving spam from your social media accounts or email, your Mac may have been infected with a virus.īefore we put up a fight, let’s make sure our enemy is real.

Your friends receive spam from your accounts.

It could be a result of a Trojan horse or a case of ransomware - malicious software used for extortion. Among numerous signs of malware on Mac, this is the most definite.

You can’t access personal files and see a ransom/fine/warning note.

Of course, none of the proceeds go to your pocket. While not too dangerous, this type of malware generates profits from ad clicks. This is a sign your browser has been hijacked and is directing you to malicious third-party sites.

Your browser has a new homepage or extensions you haven’t added.

It’s a kind of malware capable of pressuring you into installing more malware.

You receive security alerts without scanning your Mac.

This could be a sign of someone using your machine for mining cryptocurrency or running DDOS attacks - not something you’d normally partake in.

Look out for the following red flags indicating it’s time to check the Mac for malware: While some types of malicious software can remain undetected for months or even years, the presence of others is instantly noticeable. In 2022 alone, cybercriminals churned out almost 675,000 viruses capable of severely damaging your device and violating your privacy. New threats to Mac security emerge at an alarming rate.

Mac how to scan for viruses