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Make your Mac invincible
When you hear that Macs are much safer than their PC counterparts, it’s generally true. But it doesn’t mean that if you own a MacBook you’re completely shielded from all kinds of viruses and malware, as most people tend to think.
Vulnerabilities in Macs still exist, although Apple should get a lot of credit for engineering a sandbox system for macOS, which prevents malware from directly accessing your system. In fact, starting macOS Catalina, Apple has completely separated its system volume from user files so the system would be impossible for hackers to take control of.
What’s left is the user with admin credentials who might knowingly or unknowingly let a virus in. And that’s where Mac malware removal software comes in handy.
How To Check For Malware On Mac
Practically the only way you can get any kind of Mac malware today is by executing an installer, a script, or giving something an unrestricted access to your system.
So before you even think of searching for the best malware removal for Mac, make sure you follow a few time-tested rules to avoid the malware problem altogether:
Don’t download anything you’re not completely sure about. Get software only at official websites, even if it means spending a little bit of money (supporting indie developers goes a long way).
Disable the automatic opening of downloaded files in your browser. In Safari, go to Preferences ➙ General and then untick the “Open ‘safe’ files after downloading” box. Now you’ll have an extra step as a buffer to vet all the incoming files.
Don’t agree to any installs from pop-ups on random websites. Sometimes a certain file will start downloading as soon as you open a link — delete it immediately.
Don’t open email attachments from senders you’re not 100% sure in, especially when they offer you something that sounds too good to be true
If you always follow the tips above, you’ll be safe in nearly every Mac situation. But it’s never too much to ensure that you’re under complete protection, so getting a Mac virus scan might be useful too.
Learn more how to remove malware from mac
Use Malwarebytes anti-malware for Mac
Googling around for the best malware removal for Mac, you’d probably encounter a few mentions of the Malwarebytes app. And it’s worth taking a look at.
Malwarebytes is a global cybersecurity company that’s been around for over 15 years. Its flagship product, Malwarebytes for Mac, allows you to scan for malware, adware, viruses and then safely get rid of them.
Using Malwarebytes on Mac is easy enough:
Download a free Malwarebytes app from its website
Install Malwarebytes by double-clicking on the downloaded file and following a set of instructions
When you open the app for the first time, make sure to allow it full access by going to System Preferences ➙ Security & Privacy ➙ Full Disk Access and then ticking the Malwarebytes app box
To scan for malware, simply click Scan and let the Malwarebytes adware and virus detector do its job
Use the malware removal Mac tool to delete any threat it has discovered
Overall, you might find that Malwarebytes for Mac reviews are positive — it’s a good malware removal Mac app, with a free version available, in which the design is pretty straightforward and commands are swiftly executed. There’s even a Malwarebytes Chrome extension that hides ads and blocks all kinds of trackers on the web.
On the negative side, Malwarebytes Free for Mac lacks proactive security scanner, which is only available for premium users. Additionally, in 2018, the company made a controversial decision to stop guarding against MacRansom, since none had been detected for years prior, to speed up scanning. This alone might be a good reason to look for something more secure.
Guard your Mac with CleanMyMac X
A worthy alternative for how to remove malware from Mac is CleanMyMac X, a top-rated optimization solution that not only protects from viruses and malware but also makes your Mac more productive, frees up disk space, maintains your privacy, and much more.
Using CleanMyMac X for Mac virus scans is just as easy:
Open the app and navigate to the Malware Removal tab
Click Scan
Remove anything suspicious found
Besides a scan for malware, you can also initiate scans for old mail attachments, cleaning up caches and user logs, removing browsing traces, as well as use Space Lens to visualize what’s occupying your hard drive and update or delete apps completely.
Compare Malwarebytes vs. CleanMyMac X
When it comes to detecting viruses and adware Malwarebytes and CleanMyMac X are both doing a good job, so it makes sense to compile a quick side-by-side comparison of the two.
Protection: Both Malwarebytes for Mac and CleanMyMac X take the issue of guarding your laptop very seriously. A single caveat is the lack of MacRansom scanning in Malwarebytes since 2018. Fair to say, CleanMyMac X wins here by a narrow margin.
Price: Malwarebytes has a completely free tier that just misses proactive scanning. With proactive scanning, however, the app will set you back around $40 a year. CleanMyMac X doesn’t have a free tier (apart from the trial) but comes along with more than 170 first-class apps via the Setapp platform for only $9.99 a month. Tie.
Versatility: While Malwarebytes on Mac is good for one thing triggered by one button, CleanMyMac X presents a much more diverse offering, from fixing your hard drives to cleaning RAM and tweaking your Mac’s performance. A resounding win for CleanMyMac X.
Scanning: At the free level both Malwarebytes and CleanMyMac X have to be sprung into action by launching their respective Mac virus scans. At the paid level, however, Malwarebytes does this automatically, so it easily takes this round.
In the end, one for Malwarebytes, one tied, and two for CleanMyMac X. Feel free to check all the categories and judge for yourself.
Protect your privacy with Shimo VPN
When it comes to staying safe on your Mac today, it’s not only literal malware you have to be worried about. Nearly all websites, portals, and apps you encounter collect your private data. Some even restrict their services simply based on where you are (e.g. streaming platforms) or your behavior (e.g. fluctuating airfare prices). To safely sidestep all of this, you need a solid VPN.
Shimo is a VPN (virtual private network) of choice for thousands of people. It acts as a shell, letting you add multiple VPN accounts inside of its simple and unobstructive interface, from Cisco SSL to OpenVPN. Any time you use Shimo, you’re opening a window to bias-free, private, and safe internet.
In the end, even though Macs are highly resistant to viruses, knowing how to check for malware on Mac is essential. And both Malwarebytes for Mac and CleanMyMac X are good ways to do that. Additionally, routinely running a VPN on unsecured networks will make surfing the web much more private and secure.
Best of all, CleanMyMac X and Shimo are available for you to try absolutely free for seven days, as they are both part of Setapp, a platform with more than 170 highly rated Mac apps for any job, from keeping you safe to managing projects, to collecting inspiration. Try all 170-plus apps, including CleanMyMac X and Shimo today at no cost!
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
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26 November 2019
The issue of how to remove malware from Mac has become a hot topic over the years - and with good reason.
Mac malware is on the rise and shows no sign of stopping.
Here we take a look at some of the most recent malware threats faced by Macs in 2019, symptoms of malware on your Mac, and the best removal tools (as voted by MacUpdate users) to get the job done.
Ready? Let's go!
Here's what you'll learn in this post:
Do Macs Need Malware Protection?
In a word: Yes.
Despite earning a reputation for being almost impervious to viruses, Apple devices are facing a growing threat of malware - one that's been bubbling away for 15 years.
- The first example of macOS malware dates back to 2004.
- More recently, a 2018 report highlighted a 270 percent increase in Mac malware.
- Of the ten most popular cyberattacks in the first quarter of 2019, Mac malware took up two spots.
- April 2019 witnessed a whopping 16 million instances of Mac malware - four times the previous record.
Why is this happening?
The most obvious answer is the fact that Macs are increasing in popularity. As more consumers purchase these devices, more cybercriminals are opting to target them.
This has also coincided with an increase in more complex attacks, such as:
- Adware
- Ransomware
- Phishing sites
- and cryptojacking
5 of the Best Malware Removal Tools, As Voted For by MacUpdate Community
2.8 stars from 114 MacUpdate users.
A well-known name in the world of anti-malware, Malwarebytes is a simple and straightforward solution. It works away in the background largely unprompted, and if you need to run a manual scan, it's only ever a few clicks away.
The free version gets to work cleaning up an already infected Mac, but if you want ongoing protection, you should opt for Malwarebytes Premium. This prevents further malware infections, proactively blocks adware, and runs superfast scans when required.
3.8 stars from 177 MacUpdate users.
A solid and reliable antivirus for Mac, VirusBarrier X9 from Intego is slick, quick and focused.
There's no feature bloat here as it gets to work on the task at hand - identifying, removing and blocking malware. Folder scanning is fast, and the full scans are thorough.
You can also schedule scans ahead of time, which is always handy.
The downside is the full scan can be time-consuming, while the free trial only offers very limited functionality.
4.1 stars from 642 MacUpdate users.
Little Snitch's primary function is to alert you to outgoing network connections. It essentially stops your private data from being sent out without your knowledge or approval - sort of like a reverse firewall.
It runs quietly in the background and can also detect network-related activity of malware, trojans and viruses.
But (and there's always a but) it only looks at single connections and overlooks patterns of network activity that malware can engage in.
It's good at what it does, however, there are better malware-busting alternatives out there.
4.4 stars from 273 MacUpdate users.
An award-winning general-purpose software, Catalina Cache Cleaner (CCC) makes system maintenance a breeze, but we're interested in its capabilities as a malware scanner. We're pleased to report that it shows up well.
CCC helps keep your Mac safe from malware by adding three additional layers of security. It also ships with the open-source, cross-platform ClamAV antivirus built-in. It's always-on, scanning downloads on the fly to ensure you receive the very best malware protection from both Mac and Windows threats.
And the Winner Is...
4.5 stars from 127 MacUpdate users.
Designed to scan, identify and delete malware quickly and easily, MacScan is a worthy winner.
Rewritten from the ground up for OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion (and later), it takes a no-nonsense approach to dealing with malware, spyware, Trojans, and more.
Simple and easy-to-use, its comprehensive and consistently up-to-date library of known threats keeps your Mac ticking along nicely. With its new Smart Scan engine, it gets to work in the very areas of your device where security and privacy threats like to hide.
The only real cons are the annual license, and the high CPU usage while scanning. If the latter seems like a fair trade when you get such a complete security solution in exchange.
Bonus review: The Perfect Solution for Post-Malware Attack
4.9 stars from 344 MacUpdate users.
A software befitting of its name, SuperDuper is a powerful and popular app for creating a fully bootable backup of your hard drive. It's particularly useful when recovering from a malware attack.
SuperDuper is easy to use and geared towards less technical users, but it also caters to more experienced users with a slew of sophisticated features such as customizable scripts and version control.
What Are the Most Recent Mac Malware Threats?
For the sake of brevity, here are five of the most recent, significant and scary:
- OSX/MaMi
- OSX/CrescentCore
- LoudMiner (aka Bird Mine)
- Mshelper
- CookieMiner
Looking for a full list of recent Mac malware threats? Check out this article from Macworld.
OSX/MaMi
First reported back in January 2018, the OSX/MaMi malware is a nasty piece of work. It exists to route all traffic through dodgy servers in order to steal sensitive info.
The program installs a new root certificate to intercept encrypted communications (eek!), and it can also take screenshots, execute commands, and upload and download files.
OSX/CrescentCore
CrescentCore was found on a number of websites and even showed up in Google search results. It was cleverly disguised and very sneaky.
Before running, it would check to see if it was inside a virtual machine. It would also search for antivirus tools. If the machine was unprotected, it would go ahead and install malicious files.
The alarming part? It had a signed developer certificate, issued by Apple. This meant it could bypass Apple's Gatekeeper.
Although later revoked, the fact it had a signed developer certificate in the first place proves that malware can get through the in-built protection.
LoudMiner (aka Bird Mine)
LoudMiner found its way onto Apple devices via a cracked installer for music production software Ableton Live. It was a cryptocurrency miner designed to use Mac's processing power to make money. Not cool.
Mshelper
First spotted in May 2018, another cryptojacker called Mshelper was causing all sorts of issues.
Those infected noticed hardware problems right away - namely their fans spinning much faster than normal, and devices running hotter than usual. This typically indicates that an often malicious background process is using up processing resources.
CookieMiner
Discovered at the end of January 2019, CookieMiner was able to steal user passwords and login information for cyberwallets from Chrome.
It could also grab browser authentication cookies associated with crypto exchanges, and access iTunes backups to build up a user profile with enough personal information to bypass two-factor authentication.
All of this meant easy access to the victims' cyber currency.
Shout out: Listen to the brilliant Intego Mac Podcast to learn more about the most recent Mac malware threats.
Best Malware Removal For Mac 2018
How Do I Know If There's Malware On My Mac?
Okay, that list above makes for some scary reading, right?
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That's why it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the common symptoms associated with malware. If you ever notice any of the following, you can quickly take action and avoid potentially catastrophic consequences.
Common Malware Symptoms
- Your Mac slows way down, becoming laggy or sluggish. The fan is spinning like crazy and the hardware is overheating. Pages are taking longer to load and the cursor doesn't move in real-time. It's almost as if there's something running in the background, hogging processing power.
- Your web searches are being redirected to a site you don't recognise.
- You notice a toolbar or addons in your browser (Chrome, Safari) that you didn't install.
- You're redirected to spam pages when visiting your favorite websites.
- Random pop-ups serve ads on your desktop, even when you're not running any programs.
- Web pages are covered in dodgy-looking adverts - especially sites where you wouldn't usually see ads, such as Wikipedia.
It might not be malware
If you notice any of those signs, don't panic. It doesn't always mean your Mac is infected with malware. There are other reasons why a Mac runs slowly.
The one thing you definitely want to avoid doing is Googling the problem and installing the first thing you find in an attempt to remove the problem.
This could result in you downloading more malicious software and making the entire situation much worse.
Instead, you need to turn to a reliable software solution (like those listed above) to run a check and - if you do have malware - safely remove the offending files.
What to Do if Your Mac Has Malware
If you think your Mac is infected with malware or a virus, take these steps to keep the situation under control:
- Avoid Passwords - In case there's a keylogger running on your system, avoid typing in passwords or login details. Some more sophisticated malware can also take secret screenshots, so be careful not to expose sensitive information until you're certain your device is clean.
- Try to Stay Offline - Staying offline can essentially cut off the oxygen supply to the malware. Naturally, this is easier said than done, and if you need to download an antivirus tool after infection, it's not going to be an option. That's why it pays to protect your device right away.
- Contact Your Bank - If you unwittingly paid for the malware, make sure to contact your bank or credit card provider and explain the situation. They can stop the scammers in their tracks by freezing your card.
- Shut Down + Restore - If you can, shut down your Mac immediately and restore from a recent backup.
- Update Passwords - Once you're certain that you've managed to remove the malware, update your passwords. Better yet, use a password manager for yet another layer of security.
How to Recover from a Malware Attack
When recovering from a malware attack on your Mac, there are a few things you need to do:
Apple Mac Malware Removal
1. Update your system software
If you've missed a recent update, you could leave your device vulnerable to further attacks. It might even be the reason why you suffered the attack in the first place!
Click on the Apple menu icon > Select App Store > Click on the Updates tab > Install all available updates.
2. Check the disk for errors
Apple's Internet Recovery Partition allows you to safely check the hard drive for anything out of the ordinary.
Restart your device > As it reboots, hold down Command + R > Once rebooted, you should see the Internet Recovery Partition > Select Disk Utility and click Continue > Click on First Aid > Click Run.
Your Mac will now run a scan on the hard drive to look for errors and - if possible - fix them.
3. Use SuperDuper
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If you have SuperDuper installed, you should reboot from the previous day's backup, reformat your drive and move forward malware-free.
The Bottom Line
Malware For Mac
Malware can cause mayhem on a Mac - and fast.
These days, it's often not enough to just be careful when you're browsing and vigilant about what you open or download. You have to be proactive and take steps to protect your device and the data it holds.
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Download a malware removal tool today, and have a recovery plan up your sleeve should you need one. If you ever cross paths with Mac malware, you'll be glad you did.