how to check for malicious software on mac

Your browser installs suspicious updates automatically.Unexpected Mac reboots or apps starting for no reason.Pages that you visit get obscured with ads.A sudden drop in performance or frequent freeze-ups.How do I know if my Mac has a virus? Here are some tell-tale signs that your Mac may have been affected by a virus or malware:

According to Malwarebytes, Macs are mostly attacked by adware and PUPs, which macOS has no counteraction against. They are indeed secure, but as the Apple security features have improved, so has malware. Mac computers have long been considered virus-free.

Trojan horses - disguise as legit software.

Botnet - turn your Mac into a shadow bot.

Backdoor infections - remotely seize control of your computer.

Spyware and keyloggers - steal users’ personal data.

Download managers - download unauthorized objects.

Here are common types of malware you can encounter on Mac:

Although used interchangeably, it’s not synonymous with the term “virus” because the latter is only a model of distribution, i.e., how an app self-replicates. The term “malware” is a broad term for all unwanted intrusions. Sounds scary? Continue reading to discover our Mac malware removal guide. According to Malwarebytes, there has been a 200% spike in macOS-specific malware infections. Although Apple has invested a lot of resources into strengthening security and privacy on Macs, some types of malware and viruses are sophisticated enough to bypass Gatekeeper. In 2021, Apple’s senior vice president Craig Federighi confirmed that the amount of malware on macOS reached an unacceptable level. Now to detect harmless-looking Mac apps that contain malware and remove them before they do any harm. Reliable anti-malware protection is an absolute necessity in 2023. Threats like adware and spyware made their way onto Macs, proving even macOS devices are susceptible to malware.

How to check for malicious software on mac