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. Picture 1 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Open a web browser. Download Malwarebytes for Mac, a free anti-malware app recommended by security experts.[1]
  2. Picture 2 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Navigate to https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac-download/. The application will download automatically.
  3. Picture 3 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    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. Picture 4 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Drag the Malwarebytes icon to the Applications folder.
  5. Picture 5 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Click the 'File' menu.
  6. Picture 6 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Click 'Eject Anti-Malware for Mac.'
  7. Picture 7 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Open the Applications folder.
  8. Picture 8 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Double-click 'Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.'
  9. Picture 9 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    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. Picture 10 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Type your admin username and password.
  11. Picture 11 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    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. Picture 12 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    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. Picture 13 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    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. Picture 14 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Place a checkmark next to each threat you want to remove.
  15. Picture 15 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Click Remove Selected Items. Your Mac is now free of malware.
Method 2 of 2:

Using ClamXav

  1. Picture 16 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    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. Picture 17 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Navigate to https://www.clamxav.com/download.html.
  3. Picture 18 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Click DOWNLOAD beneath 'Get Free Trial.'
  4. Picture 19 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Save the file when prompted. It will save to your computer with a name like 'ClamXav_2.10_xxx.zip.'
  5. Picture 20 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Double-click 'ClamXav_2.10_xxx.zip".
  6. Picture 21 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Double-click 'ClamXav.app'. This will start the installation of ClamXav.
  7. Picture 22 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Accept the license agreement.
  8. Picture 23 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
  9. Picture 24 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    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.
  10. Picture 25 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Click 'All My Files.' This is one of the options in the Source List in the left panel.
  11. Picture 26 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    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. Picture 27 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    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. Picture 28 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Click a threat to select it.
  14. Picture 29 of How to Scan Mac for Malware
    Click 'Quarantine File' or 'Delete File' as recommended.
Update 05 March 2020
clickfilescanmac

You should read it

Maybe you are interested

Category

System

Mac OS X

Hardware

Game

Tech info

Technology

Science

Life

Application

Electric

Program

Mobile