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What online threats can affect Macs? They include: Viruses A virus is a malicious software program loaded onto a user's computer without the user's knowledge that performs malicious actions. Adware This malware takes over your computer, bombarding it with numerous ads and pop-ups that can harm your device, track you, and slow down performance. Trojans Trojan horses are a type of malware that tricks you into downloading and installing them by posing as something else. Rootkits A rootkit is a type of malware designed to give hackers access to and control over a target device.
Spyware Spyware is a computer program that hackers can use to spy on you and secretly follow your online activities. Cryptomining Cryptomining — sometimes called cryptojacking — refers to malware that uses your Mac's computing power to mine cryptocurrencies for the attacker. Phishing Phishing is a form of social engineering which involves cybercriminals impersonating a known entity or close connection to trick you into revealing sensitive personal information that can be used for identity fraud or financial theft.
Do Macs have built in antivirus? However, Apple has several anti-malware features, including: XProtect - Apple has all the known malware definitions in its XProtect file, which sits on your Mac, and every time you download a new application, it checks that none of those definitions are present. Gatekeeper - Apple's Gatekeeper software blocks apps created by malware developers and verifies that apps have not been tampered with. If you were to install something from an unknown developer, Apple would warn you to check its authenticity.
How to tell if your Mac has a virus If your MacBook has been infected by a virus or malware, here are some signs to look out for: Slower performance: If your device or specific apps have started to operate slowly, this could be a sign of trouble. Unexplained new apps or tools: If you notice new apps, files, or tools which have been downloaded without your permission, that is a warning sign of potential malware at work. Numerous ads and pop-ups: Adware leads to a proliferation of ads and pop-ups, even when you are not online.
Reduced storage space: If malware has downloaded and installed itself on your device without your permission, these unwanted programs will take up storage space. Your Mac overheats: When your computer heats up, it usually indicates that many programs are working in the background.
Strange behavior: If you find yourself redirected to spammy websites, or if your Mac frequently crashes or freezes, a virus or other malware may be the cause. Here are some best-practice tips to help keep your Macbook safe: Download apps from official sources only By default, your Mac's security and privacy preferences are set to allow apps from the App Store and identified developers.
Keep the firewall enabled. Maintain backups of important data. Even the Mac App Store has suffered a tidal wave of scam software. Even as the first Mac virus threats appeared, they inspired counter measures. In addition, those of us sufficiently long in the tooth might even remember one of the most popular early Mac antivirus programs—a free utility named Disinfectant , released in The official Malwarebytes logo The official Malwarebytes logo in a blue font.
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Help me choose a product See what Malwarebytes can do for you Get a free trial Our team is ready to help. Partners Explore Partnerships. Partner Success Story. Resources Resources Learn About Cybersecurity. Malwarebytes Labs. Business Resources. See Content. Mac antivirus Despite their reputation, Macs are still vulnerable to cyberthreats.
Do Macs need antivirus? Who do Mac viruses and other malware target? OS X security measures Is my Mac infected? How do I protect myself from Mac malware? Yes, Macs can — and do — get viruses and other forms of malware. And while Mac computers are less vulnerable to malware than PCs, the built-in security features of macOS are not enough to protect Mac users against all online threats. Keep reading for the full lowdown on Mac malware. But Mac viruses are on the rise every year, as hackers are increasingly casting a wider net and developing malware specifically for Macs.
Combine sharply rising numbers with a false sense of security, and you get a whole lot of vulnerable Mac users. Various things may go awry when your Mac is infected with a virus or other malware. While it can be tricky to detect the precise form of malware on your own, some of the more common symptoms include:. Slower performance: Your Mac — or specific apps — start to run unusually slow.
Disappearing storage space: Lots of malware will download and install files on your device without your permission. Any one of these signs is not necessarily definitive, as there could be other issues going on. So, what threats should Mac users currently be on the lookout for? Below is a list of the most common kinds of malware that threaten Mac computers. The baddest malware on the block, ransomware takes files or even entire devices hostage.
This is a particularly annoying kind of malware that takes over your computer, inundating it with endless ads and pop-ups that can harm your device, track you, and impact performance. Avast blocked 41 million Mac adware threats in alone , showing that adware is one of the most common types of Mac malware out there. A Trojan horse is a kind of malware that, like its Greek eponym, finds its way onto your device by pretending to be harmless or even helpful.
Meanwhile, in the background, it steals your data or downloads other malware onto the infected device. Mac Trojans often download additional hidden malware to your system like adware or rootkits. It then replicates itself and spreads across devices and networks, leaving a stream of destruction in its wake.
On macOS, viruses are likely hidden in word document files such as. DOC or. DOCX , and they spring to life as soon as you enable macros. Hackers use malicious spying software, or spyware, to gain access to browsing behavior, banking details, keystroke patterns, or other compromising personal information.
The information gathered can then be used for identity theft or sold to third parties. Rootkits bury deep into a device, acquiring root access to the machine. Here are some examples that have generated headlines:.
All of these infections have one thing in common: they infect Macs through processes outside of the App Store. In some cases, pirated software is to blame; in others, it's software from sources that shouldn't have been trusted. Put simply—if you never install software from outside the Mac App Store, you don't have much to worry about. Sure, there are some browser-related exploits from time to time, and Java is an ongoing concern, but if macOS and browsers are up to date, such infections are pretty unlikely.
And if you do install software from outside the Mac App Store, but are careful to research software before installing it Googling for a review and finding an official download , you also don't have anything to worry about. On the other hand: if you've pirated Mac software or installed plugins at the request of a site offering pirated movies, you might have problems.
Have you used a tainted USB drive or downloaded a sketchy email attachment? Viruses can spread in lots of unexpected ways like this. Adware is becoming an ever-bigger problem on the Mac platform. If you're seeing ads in places they previously didn't show up, there's a good chance you've installed something you shouldn't. This is particularly true if you get popup ads even when you're not browsing the internet.
Some Mac malware makes your Mac part of a botnet, which is a global network of computers used for all sorts of things. If your Mac is constantly slow, even if you don't have any programs running, this is a possibility.
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