How to remove malware from Mac in 2024

Although it’s not very common to encounter viruses on Mac devices, there is still a possibility. Unfortunately, one of the biggest threats is having a device infected with malware. But how exactly can you be aware of this? If your Mac device reboots randomly, works slower, or shows up a lot of pop-up ads, then you might have malware.

This malicious software may cause serious issues, such as identity or data theft, financial fraud, corrupted files, or making your device unusable. Having this in mind, it’s urgent to learn the Mac malware removal process.

In order to help you, we have prepared this detailed guide on how to remove malware from your Mac device and safeguard against them in the future.

How to know if your Mac has a virus

All their superior features aside, Macs are just as prone to viruses and online threats as any other computers. Despite their powerful built-in security toolkit and closed app system, MacBooks, iMacs, and Mac Minis can still get infected. While Windows PCs tend to be more vulnerable to traditional malware, Macs suffer more from potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and adware. Just as they are far from being 100% exempt from ransomware, social engineering attacks, cryptojacking, and ransomware attacks, prioritizing robust antivirus protection is essential.

Before we dive into running Mac scan for malware, let’s go over key signs that your Mac might be infected. Whether it’s slower performance, security alerts, browser redirects or unusual messages—it’s crucial to catch those red flags as soon as possible. Read on for the most common symptoms your Mac may be infected by viruses or malware.

Signs of malware on Mac

Mac malware are viruses that specifically target macOS. They range from merely annoying to harmful. For example, adware would flood your Mac with irrelevant or disruptive ads, while ransomware can hold your files hostages demanding payments. Finally, if your Mac gets infected with spyware, it can monitor your activities, steal, and sell sensitive information. To prevent it, watch out for the following warning signs:

• Your Mac is operating more slowly than usual. One of the first signs that your device is infected is if your Mac is running slower. This shows that maybe malware steals your device resources so it can cause damage.
• Your browser has a new homepage or extensions you haven’t added. This is another common sign that can reveal your device and browser have been exposed to malware.
• You notice many more ads or pop-ups than usual. Is your Mac infected with pop-ups? Then, we have bad news. Your device has malware and redirects you to phishing sites so that the cybercriminals can earn money.
• You receive security alerts even without scanning your Mac. If you’ve installed malware without being aware of this, you may receive security alerts even if you don’t conduct a scan.
• Your contacts receive spam from your accounts. Such hazardous software often generates spam messages from your account and sends them to your contacts to spread further.

How to remove virus from Mac automatically

If you want to remove viruses from your Mac automatically, we suggest using a reputable online tool. Although there are various anti-malware applications for Mac devices nowadays, not all of them are effective. For example, you might come across multiple options to scan your Mac for viruses online and for free, which might be a scam. Malicious or not, such web tools are merely useless: they don’t have full access to the Mac file system, so it’s virtually impossible for them to effectively detect all malware. Granting them access to your files is outright dangerous. Instead of risking your security, search carefully for a reputable Mac antivirus tool. Our go-to choice is TotalAV.

How to scan Mac for malware and remove any viruses

What our experts at VPNpro like about TotalAV is that it doesn’t require an expert to run it. Intuitive-to-navigate interface helps configure the software to one's liking relatively fast and start scanning for harmful software and viruses.

Here’s how to scan Mac for malware and delete any viruses:

1. Download and install an antivirus tool on your Mac device. Our #1 recommendation is TotalAV.
2. Create an account or log in to the app.
3. Navigate to “Malware Scan” in the menu on the left side of the screen.
4. Activate the System Scan.
5. Delete or just quarantine the vulnerabilities that were detected.

Remove malware from Mac with TotalAV

How to get rid of malware on Mac manually

If you notice signs of malware on your Mac computer, it’s very important to act quickly. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that the removal process may be different depending on your Mac software. Still, we will provide all the essential steps you should take to clean your computer!

Step 1: Disconnect your PC from the Internet and back up your data

The first and most basic step that will stop the malware from spreading on all of your devices is to disconnect your Mac PC from the Internet. All you have to do is turn off the Wi-Fi, disconnect the device from the Internet cables, or put it on airplane mode.

Once you do that, back up your data and go for a trustworthy antivirus, such as TotalAV. Thanks to its robust security features, you’ll be able to prevent any future malware infection.

Step 2: Boot Mac in safe mode

Malware often slows down your device, preventing it from removing any infection. Therefore, you should consider booting your Mac in safe mode. This will stop the malware from spreading across files. Luckily, there are a few methods to do this.

How to enter safe mode on Mac with Apple silicon:

1. Select the Apple Menu and go to “About this Mac.”
2. If there’s an item under the name “Chip,” you have a Mac device with Apple silicon.
3. Click on the Apple Menu, and choose “Shut Down.” Then, wait for the device to shut down completely.
4. Press and hold the Power button until you notice “Loading startup options” on your screen.
5. Choose a volume.
6. Press and hold the Shift key, and click on “Continue in Safe Mode.”

If you see an item called Chip, your Mac is with Apple silicon.

How to boot into safe mode on an Intel-based Mac:

1. Go to the Apple Menu and click on “About this Mac.”
2. If you see an item called “Processor,” your Mac is Intel-based.
3. Restart your Mac device.
4. Press and hold the Shift key until the login window appears on the screen.
5. Log in to your Mac PC.
6. The device may require you to log in again. Then, you should see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar on the first or the second login window.

Step 3: Identify suspicious apps using Activity Monitor and remove them

Detecting a malicious app is tricky, but whole software or programs is even harder. While we forget that they run in the background, they reboot with every action we take on our PCs and cause a lot of damage.

Luckily, you can detect and remove malware with the help of the Activity Monitor:

1. Navigate to “Utilities.”

2. Find the “Activity monitor” and click on it to open it.

3. Look for the suspicious app and click on the “X” button to stop it from running.

4. Return to “Applications” and put the malicious app in the trash.

5. Empty the trash and that’s it.

Step 4: Get rid of suspicious apps

Viruses take different forms, so very often, malware comes as part of some application’s software. So, if you’ve unintentionally installed such an app, it’s best to get rid of it.

1. Navigate to “Finder” and open the “Applications” folder.
2. Scroll through the list of apps.
3. Detect and delete any suspicious apps that you haven’t downloaded.
4. Empty the trash so that you stop the malware from spreading.

Step 5: Reset browser settings

Sometimes, the simplest solution may be the most effective. If your Mac browser is infected with malware, then you can try resetting the browser settings. Now, let me walk you through the methods of resetting Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.

How to reset Safari on Mac:

1. Launch Safari and click on the Safari menu.
2. Select “History,” and then click on “Clear History.”
3. Navigate to the menu next to “Clear History” and choose “All History” to completely reset Safari.
4. Reset Safari and confirm by clicking on “Clear History.”

How to reset Chrome:

1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
2. Go to the three dots in the upper corner and click on “Settings.”
3. Find “Advanced” at the bottom of the page and click on it.
4. Scroll down and select “Restore settings to their original defaults.”
5. Complete the process by choosing “Reset Settings.”

How to reset Firefox:

1. Go to Mozilla Firefox.
2. Navigate to the three dots in the right corner of the screen and choose “Help.”
3. Select “Troubleshooting Information.”
4. Click on “Refresh Firefox.”
5. Select “Finish” and that’s it.

Step 6: Clear the cache on Mac

Hackers know how to sneak malware into your browser’s cache. Therefore, you should periodically delete the cache so you can stay safe and prevent any damage to your Mac device. Again, we’ll have a look at three straightforward step-by-step guides that will teach you how to clear the cache on Mac.

Let’s begin with clearing the cache on Safari:

1. Open the Safari browser and navigate to its menu.
2. Go to “Settings” and find the “Advanced” tab.
3. Look for a checkbox at the bottom of the window. It should be named “Show Develop menu.” Click on it.
4. Open the Develop menu and select “Empty Caches.”

If you’re using Chrome, here’s how to clear the cache on Chrome:

1. Navigate to Chrome.
2. Click on “More” in the top right corner.
3. Select “Clear browsing data” and select a time range.
4. Choose all the information you’d like to delete.
5. Click on “Clear data.”

How to clear the cache on Firefox browsers:

1. Launch Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click on the menu button to open the menu panel.
3. Click on “History” and select “Clear Recent History…”
4. Next to “Time range to clear,” you can choose anything from the drop-down menu that you want to remove. Select “Cache” and then click the “OK” button.

Step 7: Remove suspicious apps from your Login Items

The last solution for manually removing malware from your Mac device is to delete suspicious apps from your Login Items. Like the procedures above, this one is pretty easy and you shouldn’t encounter any issues.

Here is how to delete login items on Mac:

1. Open the System Settings.

2. Navigate to “General” and click on “Login Items.”

3. Select the minus icon so you can remove all suspicious Login Items that appear.
4. There you have it!

What if malware removal for Mac failed?

If removing the malicious software didn’t work, then you might consider updating your macOS system and resetting it to factory settings. Note that resetting to factory settings on Mac will delete everything. You’ll lose all of the data, including documents, photos, videos, and other personal files.

Therefore, if you want to avoid losing everything, we recommend simply installing TotalAV antivirus. It will scan your entire device, identify malicious programs, and allow you to easily remove them without losing any data stored on your computer.

How to protect your Mac from malware in the future

The most effective preventive measure for your Mac device is to install a reliable antivirus program. This will help you detect, remove, and protect Mac devices from malware infection in advance. Even if the malicious software somehow entered your device, the program will alert you and you can fix the issue before it causes significant damage.

Aside from this, there are a few other ways that may help you in protecting your Mac from malware in the future. Here are some of them:

• Closely read all dialogue boxes
• Browse anonymously
• Whenever possible, browse only secure websites — those starting with https://
• Avoid clicking suspicious email links, especially if you don’t identify the sender
• Don’t open any suspicious email attachments
• Avoid downloading software or data from an unfamiliar website
• Don’t click strange adverts or pop-ups that appear on websites
• Keep your macOS up to date

Keep your Mac safe with TotalAV

Latest Mac malware threats in 2024

The previous year has been a bit tough for Mac, as they went through some significant malware challenges. But it seems like 2024 threatens them again. So, let’s see what are the latest forecasts and events you should watch out for:

• The latest macOS 14.4 update will break Java on Apple silicon CPUs
• New RustDoor macOS malware impersonates Visual Studio update
• A patched iPhone kernel bug is now exploited in attacks

Considering these hot topics, it’s best to consider our protection tips from above and stay safe at all times.

Final thoughts

Malware software works in the background and often comes through other software or apps. This cyber threat can cause data or identity theft, and financial issues, and make your device totally malfunction. Therefore, you should take immediate measures.

By following the tips described in this article, you’ll do a thorough malware checkup on your Mac device. However, full malware cleanup is only possible with a reliable antivirus tool, like TotalAV. It will allow you to conduct regular scans and provide you with insights about your system’s health.

You may also like to read:
How to remove Search Marquis from Mac
How to remove Search Alpha from Mac
How to remove spyware from iPhone
How to remove Apple Security warning from iOS
Best antiviruses for iPhone and iPad in 2024

FAQ

Can Macs get viruses?

Yes, Macs can get viruses. Although they have pretty robust security practices, cybercriminals find a way to inject them with malware or malicious activities that spread and cause harm to Apple users. To ensure your Mac is safe, we recommend using a robust antivirus tailored to Mac users, like TotalAV.

How to check for malware on Mac?

To check for malware on Mac, you can use the Activity Monitor. More precisely, search for apps with higher CPU or memory usage. Choose “Applications” // “Activity Monitor.” Scan the list looking for suspicious apps. When detected, click “X” to stop them from running. Then head back to “Applications” and drag and drop the malicious program right to the Trash bin.

How to remove malware from MacBook?

To remove malware from MacBook, you can either use antivirus like TotalAV and scan for suspicious activities, or do it manually by clearing the cache, resetting browser settings, booting the Mac in safe mode, or uninstalling malicious apps.

How to stop virus pop-ups on Mac?

To stop virus pop-ups on Mac, you need to open Safari and go to Settings. Then, configure the options and block all or particular pop-ups.

Do I need an antivirus for Mac?

Yes, you need an antivirus for Mac. Although Mac devices are relatively safe, they are targeted by hackers and often, their vulnerabilities are exploited. Luckily, by using an antivirus like TotalAV, you’ll avoid any unfavorable events.

Does Mac have a built-in virus scanner?

Yes, Mac has a built-in virus scanner. It’s called XProtect and works in the background. This built-in program automatically detects and removes known malware from your Mac device. However, cyberthreats often evolve much faster than XProtect. To be certain your Mac is malware-free, install a specialized antivirus tool, like TotalAV.

How to remove malware from Mac for free?

To remove malware from Mac for free, you can either get the free version of TotalAV or try to delete your browser’s cache, reset the browser’s settings, boot the device in safe mode, or remove any suspicious applications.