TL;DR
Here is how to scan for virus on Mac manually:
- Open Activity Monitor via Applications > Utilities.
- Sort processes by CPU usage.
- Identify and research any unfamiliar or suspicious processes.
- If a process is malicious, select it and click the X to quit.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
Is your Mac running slower or showing odd behavior? These could be signs of a virus. I recently faced this issue and found some effective methods to diagnose and fix potential malware problems.
Macs are not immune to viruses. While they are less targeted than Windows PCs, malware designed specifically for macOS is on the rise.
How to Scan for Virus on Mac Manually
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Below, I have provided three manual methods that you can use to detect for virus manually:
1. Check Mac for Malware With Activity Monitor
Identify and quit unusual processes to protect your system from potential threats. Here’s how to use Activity Monitor to check virus on your Mac:
- Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor, or use Spotlight (Command ⌘ + Space) and type Activity Monitor.
- Once open, click the CPU tab and look for processes consuming an unusually high amount of resources without a clear reason.
- Click %CPU to sort the processes by CPU usage.
- Browse through the list of processes. If you come across any unfamiliar or suspicious names, select it and click the small i in the top toolbar to learn more about the process.
- For any process you’re unsure about, do a quick online search. This can help you determine if it’s a legitimate macOS process or something potentially harmful.
- If you identify a process that seems malicious, select it and click the X button in the top toolbar.
- This will force quit the process. However, be cautious and ensure you’re not ending essential system processes.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful when terminating processes in Activity Monitor. Closing essential system processes can cause your Mac to malfunction
2. Use Full Disk Access to Check Your Mac for Malware
Review the apps granted Full Disk Access on your Mac to identify potentially harmful software. Revoking access to unrecognized apps can prevent them from compromising your system. Here’s how to use Full Disk Access to check for malware on your Mac:
- Click the Apple logo and select System Settings.
- In System Settings, click the Privacy & Security tab and in the Privacy section, click Full Disk Access.
- Review the apps and services that have been granted Full Disk Access. If you see any unfamiliar or suspicious names, it’s a red flag.
- Toggle off the switch next to an app you don’t recognize or trust to revoke its Full Disk Access permissions.
3. Remove Suspicious Login Items
Unwanted login items can slow down your Mac and potentially pose security risks. By removing suspicious items, you ensure that only trusted apps launch at startup. Follow these steps to remove suspicious login items on your Mac:
- Click the Apple icon and select System Settings.
- Select General and click Login Items in the right menu.
- Review the items that automatically launch when you log in to your Mac. If you see anything suspicious, select the item, and click the – button to remove it from the list.
- Once you have removed any suspicious login items, restart your Mac.
✔️ Alternatively, you can use MacKeeper to get rid of suspicious login items in one click. After installing MacKeeper, navigate to the Login Items section under the Performance tab. Run a scan to see which items launch at startup, then select and remove any unnecessary ones to streamline your system’s boot process.
How to Run a Virus Scan on Mac Automatically
Using MacKeeper automates the virus scanning process, ensuring continuous protection against malware. Its real-time antivirus feature keeps your Mac secure by actively blocking threats. Here’s how to use MacKeeper to scan your Mac for malware:
- Download and install MacKeeper.
- Launch MacKeeper and navigate to the Antivirus tab in the left sidebar.
- Initiate an instant virus scan by clicking the Start Scan button.
- If any viruses are detected during the scan, click the Fix Items button to resolve the issues.
- If your system is threat-free, you’ll see a No threats found message. You can tap the Restart button to run the scan again.
- Enable real-time antivirus protection to safeguard your Mac from future threats by clicking the Enable button.
Once you have configured your security settings, MacKeeper will continue to operate in the background, diligently scanning for threats and actively blocking any malicious activity.
Always back up your data before making significant changes to your system or running virus scans.
How to Know If Your Mac has Virus?
Here are some signs that your Mac may have been infected with a virus:
- 💽 Unexplained Disk Activity: If your Mac’s hard drive is working harder than usual, even when you’re not using it, it could be a sign of a virus infection.
- 🐌 Slow Performance: If your Mac suddenly runs slower than usual, it could be a sign of a virus infection.
- 🚫 Pop-ups and Unwanted Ads: If you see more pop-ups and ads than usual, or if they appear in places they normally wouldn’t, it could be a sign of a virus infection.
- 🤔 Strange Behavior: If your Mac behaves strangely, such as opening and closing applications on its own, it could be a sign of a virus infection.
- 🔒 Security Alerts: If you receive security alerts from your Mac’s operating system or antivirus software, it could be a sign of a virus infection.
Keep Your Mac Secure and Virus-Free
Regularly scanning your Mac for viruses is essential to ensure its safety and security. However, after removing all viruses from your system, it’s crucial to maintain its optimal performance. You can follow these tips for further optimization:
- Clear temporary files and browser cache regularly to free up space and improve performance.
- Uninstall unused applications to keep your Mac running smoothly.
- Declutter your Mac and organize your files into folders to boost productivity and speed.
