How to Check for Malware on Mac

Some Mac users insist their devices cannot get any kind of viruses. Unfortunately, this is a myth. Lately, Mac threats have even increased, which means hackers choose them as their target. Therefore, learning how to check for malware on Mac has become essential for users who want to protect their devices and avoid malware and viruses.

In our article, you will find the best tips on checking your Mac for malware. Does your Mac act strangely lately, and you have no idea what to do? You can easily find out here the best tips to avoid malware and other security threats!

Can My Mac Be Infected By Computer Viruses?

Of course, Macs are safe computers, and they are even safer than Windows devices. Anyway, it doesn’t mean they are fully protected from malware. Apple devices are usually attacked by PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) and adware. These are programs created by hackers that appear on your computer and as a result, may lead to data-stealing, damage, etc. So, yes, a Mac can be infected by a virus or other malware, and you need to understand the steps for how to check if your Mac has malware and how to protect it from attacks because you may lose important data or your personal details can be easily stolen by hackers.

Modern versions of macOS also include built-in security tools such as XProtect, Gatekeeper, and XProtect Remediator that help detect and remove known threats automatically. You can verify XProtect definitions are current via Terminal: system_profiler SPInstallHistoryDataType | grep XProtect—or System Information → Installations. However, these protections are not perfect, so users should still stay cautious when downloading apps or browsing the web. It is useful to know how to check for malware on Mac with different methods, since built-in protections might miss some threats.

Lockdown Mode & Rapid Security Responses

MacOS 12+ includes Lockdown Mode, an extreme-protection profile for users at risk of targeted spyware attacks—it hardens Safari, blocks most message attachments, disables JIT compilation, and restricts wired connections. macOS 13.3.1+ adds Rapid Security Responses, automatic background patches for zero-day vulnerabilities between major OS updates; they install without a full restart and can be toggled in System Settings → General → Software Update.

Quick Terminal Health Check

Three commands you can paste to spot-check your Mac right now:

• XProtect version: system_profiler SPInstallHistoryDataType | grep XProtect
• App notarization: spctl --assess --verbose /Applications/YourApp.app (returns “accepted” if notarized)
• Login items: osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to get the name of every login item'

What Are the Signs When a Mac Has Malware?

When your Mac has malware, you can notice several signs to tell you about it. Here are the main symptoms you should pay your attention to if you suspect malware and want to check for malware on Mac:

• Your device behaves weirdly and launches programs or open windows without your command.
• Your computer runs too slowly without many apps working on it like the processor is busy with something.
• You notice weird adverts very often.
• You see some unknown apps or programs you haven’t installed before.
• You see an application that asks to type the administrator password.

Removing Malware from Your Device Manually

If you have found a malware infection on your computer, don’t worry, it’s not so difficult to delete it without any damage. Follow the next steps for how to check for malware on Mac and remove it effectively:

1. Remove Suspicious Browser Extensions

Often, malware arrives via browser extensions. View your browser’s extensions thoroughly—if you see some you never installed, remove them. This is especially important if you use Safari, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox.

2. Delete Apps from Unknown Sources

Malware can be disguised as legitimate software. Download programs only from well-trusted sources. If you have downloaded an app from an unknown site, delete it immediately. Whenever possible, download applications from the official Mac App Store or from trusted developers.

3. Audit Installed Applications & Running Processes

Check your installed applications and remove any suspicious apps you don’t remember installing. Also review running processes in Activity Monitor for unknown programs consuming unusual system resources.

4. Clean Login Items

Malware can sneak into login items. Clean them up to prevent auto-launch: on macOS 13 Ventura and later, go to System Settings → Users & Groups → Login Items; on macOS 12 Monterey and earlier, go to System Preferences → Users & Groups → Login Items. Use the “minus” and “plus” buttons to manage them.

5. Check LaunchAgents & LaunchDaemons (Advanced)

Advanced users can check common macOS locations where malware installs automatic startup files: the LaunchAgents and LaunchDaemons folders in the Library directory.

Verify App Notarization

Before running any downloaded app, confirm it’s notarized by Apple: spctl --assess --verbose /path/to/app returns “accepted” if the app passes Gatekeeper’s notarization check. Notarization means Apple scanned the app for known malware and the developer signed it with a valid Developer ID.

Removing Malware from Your Mac Automatically

Of course, installing a reliable antivirus software can simplify your life and protect your device from malware and other security threats. Here are the main rules, useful for anyone learning how to check for malware on Mac automatically:

1. Download antivirus programs only from well-trusted sources.
2. Use a trial version, if available to understand if this app suits your needs.
3. Set an automatic scan to check your Mac for malware on a regular basis.
4. Update your antivirus software regularly.
5. Update all the apps on your Mac regularly.
6. Make backups of your files.
7. Store important data on cloud storage or flash drive to make sure it will not be lost in case of system failure, malware infection, or accidental deletion unexpectedly.

Free & Open-Source Tools Worth Knowing

• KnockKnock—shows every item set to launch automatically (launch agents, daemons, login items, kernel extensions).
• BlockBlock—monitors common persistence locations and alerts when something tries to install permanently.
• Malwarebytes Free—on-demand scanner with solid detection for adware, PUPs, and malware.

Well-known Mac threats such as Shlayer, Atomic Stealer, Cuckoo, and Banshee Stealer show that attackers continue to target Apple computers, which is another reason why regular security checks are important.

FAQ

Does Mac have built-in virus detection?

Yes, macOS includes built-in tools like XProtect, Gatekeeper, and XProtect Remediator that automatically detect and remove known malware. These run silently in the background and update independently of system updates.

How can I tell if my Mac has malware?

Common signs include unusual system behavior, unexplained slowdowns, frequent pop-up ads, unknown applications you did not install, and unexpected prompts for administrator passwords.

Can Macs get viruses?

Yes, Macs can be infected by viruses and other malware such as potentially unwanted programs and adware. While macOS has strong built-in protections, they are not perfect and new threats continue to target Apple computers.

How do I check for malware on Mac manually?

You can check Activity Monitor for suspicious processes, review the Applications folder for unknown apps, inspect Login Items and LaunchAgents or LaunchDaemons folders, remove unfamiliar browser extensions, and verify app notarization with the spctl command.

Conclusion

As you can see, it’s not so difficult to protect your Mac device from malware. Of course, it needs time and minimal knowledge, but in our era of computer technologies, every person should be able to know how to check a Mac for malware and remove it from the computer to work safely.