Macs are not affected by viruses and malware like Windows or Linux computers. However, they’re not entirely immune. If you think your system is behaving strangely and cannot pinpoint why, it is time for a quick security check. Here’s a Mac virus removal guide to get you started.
Find out if your Mac has a virus
Sometimes viruses or malware are so subtle that you will not notice any changes in your system’s behavior until it is too late. However, most of them come with surefire symptoms.
If you see software or apps you didn’t install, there is a good chance malware hiding in plain sight. You can Google the apps to be sure.
You might see signs of virus infection, such as your computer acting strangely, the browser homepage changing automatically, or you receiving too many ads.
Once you have confirmed your computer is infected, move on to getting rid of the virus or malware.
Getting Rid of Viruses on your Mac
After you have detected a virus infection, it is time to remove it from your computer. There are several effective ways to go about this; the fundamental strategies are covered below.
- Uninstall the New Software or App
Viruses and malware are known to hitch a ride on third-party downloads. If you suspect a virus after a recent download, it is best to delete the offender.
You can uninstall a program by navigating to the Applications folder and finding the app within the folder. Then, move the app or software to the Trash and empty it. However, some temporary or residual files might still remain on your device. Therefore, it would be best if you had a full uninstall; for that, scroll over Go under the Finder menu and choose Go to Folder. Then, search /Library. You will find a massive collection of folders. Here, search for the folder named after the deleted app or software and throw the entire collection into the Trash.
If your computer behaves normally after this, you are safe. If not, your system might still be infected, and you must look for other culprits.
- Check the Extensions
Is the strange behavior of your system stemming from the web browser? If so, there’s likely malware tucked away as a browser extension. For example, if your homepage randomly changes or you are bombarded with advertisements, you know you are dealing with a browser hijacker.
You need to navigate to the preferences menu on Safari and go to the extensions tab. Search through the contents, and if you find extensions you didn’t download or don’t recognize, uninstall them.
After cleaning up the extensions, restart your browser to see if things have returned to normal.
- Scroll through the Activity Monitor
The Activity Monitor might help you locate malicious apps or software you didn’t download or install on your device. First, open the Activity Monitor and go through the list of all the apps and programs that are currently active on your system. Then, you can click the CPU tab to find out which apps or processes are consuming the most system resources.
Keep an eye out for processes and apps you don’t recognize. If you don’t recognize them, you can pause them and delete them from your device. However, if the CPU tab seems fine, you can repeat the same process in the Network and Memory tabs. Note that malicious software will consume a lot of resources.
- Install Antivirus Software
Removing viruses or malware from your system is a good solution but can be time-consuming. You may not have the time to go through every folder or app to detect and remove malicious content. Therefore, installing antivirus software on your computer is a good idea so the software can periodically scan your system and ensure viruses are kept at bay.
The software will quickly detect viruses or malware and intimate you of the same. The software might even remove malicious programs or apps to keep your computer safe.
Get Rid of Viruses Immediately!
Today, lives revolve around the Internet. For example, you might play online games, listen to music, stream your favorite movies or TV shows, email your clients, or engage in video conference calls. Regardless of why you are on the web, it is an integral part of your life. But unfortunately, the Internet also makes your system susceptible to viruses and malware. For example, you may download an app from an unreliable source or click an attachment link containing malicious software. Therefore, it is crucial always to safeguard your information and protect your computer against such attacks.
So, follow this guide, and you’ll be able to detect and remove viruses quickly. Also, you must never download apps or software from unknown sources or open emails sent by senders you don’t recognize.
