Do Macs Need Antivirus Protection? How to Check a Mac for Malware

For many years, Mac owners felt almost immune to malware attacks. While friends were moaning about fried hard drives and stolen passwords, Mac owners seemed somewhat impervious. However, all of that has changed. Can Macs get viruses? Yes. Macs have gained a more robust market presence, and cybercriminals have gotten more skilled at their nefarious craft; Macs are more vulnerable than ever. But sometimes, it’s not that easy to be sure if you’ve been attacked, especially if you don’t already have an antivirus software program on your Mac device.

Depending on the type of cyberattack, there are different things to look for to determine if you’ve fallen victim to one. However, all of them could be potentially deadly to your small to midsized business. Here are several signs of an attack:

• Your computer begins to slow down. Suddenly, loading applications becomes a slow, sluggish process.
• Security alerts erupt when you aren’t running any scans.
• You notice software on your computer that you never installed.
• Pop-up advertisements begin appearing randomly.
• Suddenly your browser has a new homepage or extensions you never added.
• Your internet browser starts to redirect you to websites in which you neither have an interest nor have not visited.
• The websites you visit begin to show ads unrelated to your search history.
• Your files have been encrypted, and you either cannot open them or they contain a warning or ransom message.

Can Macs Get Viruses? Absolutely. When it Happens, Here’s What to Do.

Before finding the proper antivirus protection for Mac, you should deal with the problem at hand. if you’ve experienced some of the aforementioned symptoms, here are some initial steps to take to get your Mac up and running:

• Locate and Remove Harmful Programs
  • Click on the rocket ship icon on the bottom toolbar of your Mac.
  • Find and open the Activity Monitor.
  • If you already recognize which programs are malicious, find them on the monitor and click on the “x” in the top left of the window. This will stop the programs from running.
• Uninstall Bad Apps
  • Open your Finder.
  • Go to the Applications Folder.
  • Look for any apps you don’t recognize or that you might have seen open without prompting or have caused an operating malfunction.
  • Drag all suspicious apps to the Trash bin on the bottom right of your Mac’s bottom toolbar.
  • Empty the Trash.
• Remove Virus-Related Browser Extensions
  Depending on the internet browser you use, the procedure will vary slightly. Here are the steps for Chrome and Safari:
  • Chrome
    • Launch Chrome.
    • Click on the dots in the top right corner.
    • Go to “More Tools” and then select “Extensions.”
    • Browse through the list and “Remove” any that seem suspicious.
  • Safari
    • Launch Safari
    • On the top toolbar, click on “Safari.”
    • Click on “Safari Extensions.”
    • Browse through the list of extensions and uninstall any that you don’t recognize.

Cyber security has become more than what most people can handle on their own. Finding the right solution to protect your small to midsized business’s hard-earned data and keeping your network running smoothly and securely is a job for IT experts. Enlisting professional IT Consulting services will help you determine the right level of protection and ongoing security protocols for the future.

IT Maintenance

IT Maintenance is essential to maintaining a fast, securely running system and network. All devices connected to your business network or used for doing business must be maintained regularly for functionality and security. Monitoring your system for malware of any kind is part of regular, professional maintenance. Computers must also have established security protocols and defenses in place. With the expanded use of remote and work-from-home employees, having a team of IT experts to support your systems is imperative for a small to midsized business. Your IT support team can train your staff, update your software, inspect and monitor your hardware and provide iron-clad cyber security for all your devices and networks. GEEK-AID^® Computer and Network Support specializes in customized Managed IT Services for small to midsized businesses. GEEK-AID^®'s team of experts is comprised of top specialists in different areas of IT services, serving clients on-site and remotely, for Macs, PCs and all your connected devices. The GEEK-AID^® team doesn't clock out at five o'clock on Friday. They are available 24/7, remotely or in-person, to ensure your computers, network and data stay healthy and secure. As your business grows, expands its network and adds more devices such as smart controls, smart devices, wireless access and remote access, your network's cybercrime vulnerability and need for cyber security will grow. In addition to maintaining the hardware, software and security, employee training and regular IT support must be ongoing. New users and new devices will require additional training to use those devices efficiently. Hardware and software installation and maintenance, repair, cyber security and network protection are all related and must be consistent, proactive and not waiting for a system failure or data breach.

Call (877) GEEK-AID (877-433-5243) to evaluate and discuss all your IT needs before your Mac and your business is under cyberattack.