If you are worried you have some kind of malware or computer virus on your Mac , we are here to assist you figure out what ’s going on and , if necessary , make clean up the damage and get disembarrass of a Mac computer virus – all for free . A lot of the site pop the question advice on Mac malware removal are companies trying to deal your anti - virus solutions , which makes their tips somewhat predetermine , but here you’re able to expect unprejudiced advice .
We ’ll cover how to train for a virus and how to remove malware from your Mac , getting rid of any viruses that might be lurking . We ’ll also explain why it ’s probably not a computer virus thanks toApple ’s rigorous protections in macOS , but , if it is , we ’ll get you recognise about the destitute and cheap options that can protect your Mac from malware .
Note that in this article we are break down to be desegregate and match the termsmalwareandvirus , but they are actually freestanding concepts . Malware tends to take the form of apps that pretend to do one thing , but in reality do something nefarious , such as steal datum . virus are small discrete bits of codification that get onto your organization somehow and are designed to be unseeable . There are also other threats , such asransomwareand adware , and other phishing attempts , where an endeavor is made to draw out information that can be used to obtain money from you .
We ’ll deal how to find and get free of these types of malware on your Mac in this article .
We also recommend you read ourbest Mac certificate tipsand our roundup of thebest Mac antivirus apps , in which we presently recommendIntegoas our top choice .
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How to tell if your Mac has a virus
If your Mac has suddenly become very tedious and laggy , started regularly crash or designate error content , and the sound of your fans whir keeps you company , you may be fishy that you have pick up some Mac malware . Another foretoken is the sudden appearance of annoying pop - up windows or special toolbars and applications you do n’t remember install . These are all signs that you might have a virus on your Mac .
It ’s not necessarily the cause that a virus is to pick though . Mac malware is implausibly rare – Mac virus do survive , in fact , there have been a fewnotable malware and virus reportsin recent old age , but there are a few ground why Mac virus do n’t tend to take clasp . One is the stringent protections Apple establish into macOS , another is the fact that it is exceptionally difficult for a computer virus to propagate itself and spread to other Macs , see : Why Macs are more secure than Windows PCs .
Signs your Mac has a virus
Here are some of the symptom of malware or viruses you might look on out for :
If you get any of these symptom then do n’t panic : they do n’t needfully mean you have a malware or computer virus infection on your Mac . There are a thousand reasons why aMac might run slow .
How to check for viruses on a Mac
If having read the above you are certain that you have a computer virus or some other strain of malware on your Mac then this tutorial should help you address the problem , interpret on for a templet on what to do if your Mac has a virus , set out off with how to scan your Mac for viruses .
Here ’s one thing you definitely should n’t do if you think your Mac is infected with malware : do n’t Google a verbal description of the trouble and deploy the first thing you find that claims to be able to fix thing . woefully , a portion of software that claims to be able-bodied to fix Macs is malware itself or is simply phoney and designed only to make you part with money . These apps can look incredibly convincing and professional , so mind .
imitation antivirus apps like MacDefender ( see image above ) , which collide with the headlines a few years ago , might look the part but are actually malware in disguise .
If you think there is a virus , or some other menace , on your Mac , then there are a few things you’re able to do , we ’ll run through your option below .
How to remove malware from a Mac for free
Using software package to be given a computer virus glance over on your Mac is the easiest pick . Luckily there are wad of apps put up to scan your Mac for computer virus – some for destitute .
One choice is the detached - of - chargeBitdefender Virus Scanner . If you are willing to spend a little cash then the devote - for variation ofBitdefender($39.99/£29.99 ) is deserving thoughtfulness . take ourreview of the free Bitdefender Virus Scannerand ourreview of Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac .
Here ’s how you could use the innocent Bitdefender Virus Scanner to look and take away virus for devoid :
Another devoid choice isAVG Antivirus for Mac . It ’s basic , but protects you from computer virus , spyware , and malware . You might also like to tryAvira Free Security for Mac , which offer some features for free , although most take a paid subscription . Read ourreview of AVG AntiVirus for Mac .
Here are our favorite free options for detecting and take out malware .
Best Free Mac malware apps
These are the better costless Mac Antivirus apps we have reviewed . These may help in an pinch , but for the good protection you may need to yield for a more complete root , in which shell , any of the top picks in our roundup of thebest Mac antivirus appswill be able to scan for and remove a computer virus from your Mac – and the benefit of instal one of these should be that you never get catch out again .
To get the best value for a Mac antivirus app check off out theBest Antivirus for Mac deals this month .
1. Intego VirusBarrier Scanner
Intego ’s VirusBarrieris the free interpretation of itsIntego Mac Internet Securityantiviral software program , which is our top choice in ourround up of the best Mac antivirus software . It offer a reliable image scanner for spare , making it an excellent option and a worthy candidate for your attention and consideration .
2. Avast Free Antivirus
Avast offer two gratuitous antivirus scanners for the Mac : Avast Free Antivirus . andAvast One Essential . If you need just a computer virus scanner , we recommend the Avast Free Antivirus edition , which is the detached version ofAvast Premium Security(reviewed singly ) .
register our fullAvast Free Antivirus reexamination
3. AVG Antivirus for Mac
AVG AntiVirus for Macoffers devoid protection that wrap up just the basics . It ’s a full detached alternative .
4. Bitdefender Virus Scanner
Bitdefender Virus Scannerstands as one of a growing catalogue of instrument that can help forestall and pass out malware on your Mac , and best of all , it ’s free .
5. Malwarebytes Free Antivirus
Malwarebytes ’ free antivirus softwareis good at hunt down and remove some of the peskiest virus and malware around .
6. Avira Free Security for Mac
Avira Free Security for Macseems to offer a lot of feature for free , but most actually ask a give subscription , unluckily .
Another option is aMac CleanerlikeCleanMyMac X , which offers a virus scan among other features . This option cost $ 34.95/£29.95 a year right now ( RRP : $ 39.95/£34.95 ) , but it is one of our go - to utilities for doing various jobs on the Mac , such as delete unnecessary file cabinet to make space . Here ’s how we used CleamMyMac X to check for viruses .
How to remove malware from your Mac without antivirus software
Using an antivirus app is a great selection because it will scan your Mac for virus and then remove them . But you do n’t necessarily need to use a computer virus digital scanner to key and remove viruses on your Mac .
Apple already scan your Mac for viruses . As we explain inhow Apple assure your Mac for virusesApple include antivirus computer software in macOS that monitor your Mac for malware , blocks malware , and removes it if necessary .
Even with these protections ( which do depend somewhat on the age of your Mac and the interlingual rendition of macOS you are running ) , there are still some ways to clean a virus from your Mac manually .
You may be wondering if you need to wipe your Mac to remove the virus , or indeed if wiping your Mac will all remove the computer virus . It ’s possible that you wo n’t have to go that far – seek these steps to clean things up :
Update macOS to the latest version
One reason you may not call for a Mac antivirus on your Mac is that Apple offers its own protection . For several days now Apple has include inconspicuous background protection against malware and computer virus . We handle this in a separate article : Do Macs need Antivirus software ?
One of these tribute is Xprotect . Xprotect is Apple ’s built - in malware trade protection . Xprotect will scan Indian file you ’ve downloaded and check off them for known malware or viruses . If any are observe you will be severalize the file is infected or damaged . The Xprotect system founder a word of advice when you download malware that it know about , and tells you exactly what to do .
Xprotect has been very effective at block the spread of Mac malware before it can even get started and is yet another reason why malware or virus infection on a Mac are rarefied .
orchard apple tree update Xprotect automatically , so you should n’t need to manually update macOS yourself to get the latest virus protections . However , if you are running an old version of macOS your Mac might not be protected ( Apple onlysupports the past three versionsof macOS ) .
While it ’s partly true that upgrade your Mac software could disembarrass you of a virus , you should note that as good as Apple ’s protection are , they may not be enough . Unfortunately , sometimes it adopt Apple a few days ( or longer ) to answer to a menace . For that reason , it is worth look at an extra antivirus creature to stay secure .
Use Activity Monitor to find viruses on a Mac
If you bonk for certain you ’ve establish some malware – such as a crafty update or app that pretends to be something else – make a note of its name . you could quit out of that app by tapping Cmd + Q , or click Quit in the menu , but note that this wo n’t stop it from start up again – in fact , it may still be mould in the background .
If you do n’t have any idea what is do the proceeds you suspect are do by a computer virus on your Mac , you’re able to useActivity Monitorto spot if an app or a undertaking is using a plenty of resources – this may be the malicious software program .
Delete the file or app and empty the Download folder
If you trust your Mac was infect after opening a picky file cabinet or app and you have a file name to look for , you may attempt to locate that app , delete that Indian file permanently by redact it into the Trash , and then empty the Trash .
You should also empty the Downloads leaflet and edit everything in there : drop behind the whole lot to the Trash , and then empty the Trash .
However , it is rarely this simple : most malware authors will obfuscate their code so that it practice non - obvious names , which makes it almost out of the question to reveal this way .
Clear your cache
You should alsoclear your web browser app ’s hoard . In Safari this can be done by clicking Safari > Clear History , and then choose All History from the dropdown list . eventually , cluck the Clear History button .
In Google Chrome this can be done by clicking Chrome > Clear Browsing Data , then in the Time Range dropdown box pick out All Time . Then click Clear Data .
It ’s also worth delete your program cache , although this could do even more trouble for you . If you want to hear it we have a guide here : How to delete cache on a Mac .
Shut down and restore from a backup
Foundry
If none of the above have operate , which is alas likely , you could try on restoring from abackup , such as one made withTime Machine , but not a backup made since you contract the virus – plain , this backup should be from a time before you believe your computer became infected . For alternatives to Time Machine , take a feeling at our roundup of thebest backup software & services for Mac .
After restoring the backup , be thrifty when bring up not to stop up in any obliterable memory board such as USB stick you had plug in earlier when your figurer was infected , and certainly do n’t launch the same wily email , file or app .
Wipe your Mac and reinstall macOS
Sometimes the only way to be indisputable you ’re white of an infection is to pass over your Mac to restore it to manufactory setting and then reinstall macOS and all your apps from scratch . fix your Mac to factory setting should remove the virus .
However , this is quite a drastic root and we think a good selection would be to habituate a virus image scanner , like one of the ones included here : best Mac antivirus apps .
If wiping your Mac is the means you want to make out with the problem watch over the step here : How to wipe a Mac .
What to do if your Mac has a virus
In plus to the above , there are a few other thing you should do to protect yourself if you think you might have been infected with Mac malware – before and after the virus is removed .
1. Stay offline
While you call back you are taint you should continue offline as much as possible . Try and turn off your net connectedness by either clicking the Wi - Fi picture in the card back and take Turn Wi - Fi Off , or disconnect the Ethernet cable if you ’re using a wired connection .
If possible , keep your cyberspace connectedness turn off until you ’re sure the infection has been cleaned up . This will prevent any more of your data being sent to a malware server . ( If you need to download killing tools then this obviously might not be potential . )
2. Use safe mode
Boot your Mac up in Safe modality – this should at least finish the malware from load at startle up .
3. Don’t use any passwords – and change them as soon as you can
From the present moment you suspect you have a computer virus you should n’t typewrite any watchword or login details in case a hidden keylogger is running . This is a very common component of malware .
mind that many keylogger - base malware or viruses also periodically secretly take screenshots , so be careful not to expose any password by re-create and paste from a document , for example , or by click the Show Password box that sometimes appears within dialog boxful .
Once you are innocent of the virus you should change all your passwords , and we really do intend all of them – including those for internet site , swarm service , apps , and so on .
4. Cancel bank and credit cards
If you handed over money at any power point for the malware – such as if you paid for what appeared to be a logical antivirus app , for example – then contact your deferred payment identity card company or bank immediately and explain the situation . This is less about getting a repayment , although that might be possible . It ’s more about ensuring your credit card details are n’t used anywhere else .
Even if no money has change hands you should inform your bank or financial institutions of the infection and seek their advice on how to proceed . Often at the very least , they make a eminence on your accounting for private detective to be extra open-eyed should anybody seek to access in future but they may issue you with new details .
Hopefully , these tips will help you remove malware from your Mac , now readHow to protect your Mac against attack and disasterto avoid getting infect again .
