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How to Scan Mac for Malware

Scanning your Mac for malware should never require pulling out your credit card. Unfortunately, Mac malware can disguise itself as a removal tool, demand payment in exchange for protecting your computer. Don't accidentally get tricked into...
Method 1 of 2:

Using Malwarebytes

  1. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 1How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 1
    Open a web browser. Download Malwarebytes for Mac, a free anti-malware app recommended by security experts.[1]
  2. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 2How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 2
    Navigate to https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-download/. The application will download automatically.
  3. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 3How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 3
    Double-click the file that begins with 'MBAM-Mac.' The entire file name should look like MBAM-Mac-1.2.5.dmg, though the number will vary based on the current software version.
  4. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 4How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 4
    Drag the Malwarebytes icon to the Applications folder.
  5. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 5How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 5
    Click the 'File' menu.
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    Click 'Eject Anti-Malware for Mac.'
  7. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 7How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 7
    Open the Applications folder.
  8. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 8How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 8
    Double-click 'Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.'
  9. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 9How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 9
    Click Open. The app should open. If you see a message that says it can't be opened because it wasn't downloaded from the app store:[2]
    1. Open System Preferences.
    2. Select 'Security & Privacy'.
    3. Click Open Anyway.
  10. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 10How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 10
    Type your admin username and password.
  11. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 11How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 11
    Click Install Helper. This will install the tool that removes any malware discovered by Malwarebytes. When the tool is finished installing, you'll arrive at the main Malwarebytes Anti-Malware screen.
  12. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 12How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 12
    Click Scan. The scan is fast, so don't be alarmed if the results (or lack thereof) show up after only a few seconds.
  13. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 13How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 13
    Evaluate the results.
    1. If the system has no malware, you will see a message that says no threats were found.
    2. If threats were found, a list will appear in a pop-up window.
    3. Unless otherwise noted, you should remove all threats found by the application.
  14. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 14How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 14
    Place a checkmark next to each threat you want to remove.
  15. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 15How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 15
    Click Remove Selected Items. Your Mac is now free of malware.
Method 2 of 2:

Using ClamXav

  1. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 16How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 16
    Open a web browser. ClamXav has a fully-functional free trial version you can download to scan your Mac for malware. The software has been around for a long time and comes widely recommended by experts.[3]
  2. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 17How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 17
    Navigate to https://www.clamxav.com/download.html.
  3. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 18How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 18
    Click DOWNLOAD beneath 'Get Free Trial.'
  4. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 19How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 19
    Save the file when prompted. It will save to your computer with a name like 'ClamXav_2.10_xxx.zip.'
  5. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 20How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 20
    Double-click 'ClamXav_2.10_xxx.zip".
  6. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 21How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 21
    Double-click 'ClamXav.app'. This will start the installation of ClamXav.
  7. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 22How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 22
    Accept the license agreement.
  8. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 23How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 23
    Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
  9. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 24How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 24
    Click Update Now. This not only downloads the latest definition files, but will also initiate a quick scan of your Mac. Let this scan complete and then go ahead with this method to do a deeper scan.
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    Click 'All My Files.' This is one of the options in the Source List in the left panel.
  11. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 26How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 26
    Click the 'Start Scan' icon. The deep scan will begin. When the scan is complete, all threats will be displayed in the top right panel, called the Infection List.
  12. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 27How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 27
    Evaluate the results. ClamXav color-codes the results based on recommended actions, such as 'quarantining' (isolating it to its own folder so it causes no harm) or deleting the file. Here's what the colors mean:
    1. Blue: If you don't recognize the file, quarantine it to avoid passing it on to others.
    2. Orange: You should definitely quarantine the file.
    3. Red: You should definitely delete this file.
    4. Green: The file has been neutralized. No action is necessary.
  13. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 28How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 28
    Click a threat to select it.
  14. How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 29How to Scan Mac for Malware Picture 29
    Click 'Quarantine File' or 'Delete File' as recommended.
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