Make sure to update your applications and security software regularly to defend against the latest malware strains and cyberattacks. Your computer won’t stay malware-free for long unless you’re proactively protecting it. Keep in mind that this will wipe apps and files stored on your device, so back up everything beforehand. To do this, hold down Command+R to enter Recovery Mode, wipe the hard drive with Disk Utility, and reinstall macOS. If none of the methods above worked, the only way to clear the malware infection is to factory reset your operating system. On Chrome, click Chrome from the menu bar and select Preferences > Advanced > Restore settings to their original defaults.

For Safari, click Safari from the menu bar, go to Preferences, and remove unwanted plug-ins and extensions. In such cases, you’ll need to clean your browser. Malware may also add unwanted toolbars, display persistent ads, and redirect you to a dangerous homepage. Contact an IT expert if you’re unsure whether a program is safe to remove. But if there are suspicious applications your anti-malware program failed to detect, you can always uninstall them manually like how you would with other software. This ensures your security software has the latest malware definitions to identify and remove the most recent threats.

Once you’ve contained the threat, update your anti-malware program and run a full system scan. Log out of any applications and don’t type any passwords in case a hidden keylogger or spyware program is running in the background to steal sensitive information. You should also open Activity Monitor, which can be found in the Utilities folder, to disable any non-essential apps.Įven if you are in safe mode, assume that your activities are being monitored by cybercriminals. Since most files aren’t active in safe mode, malicious programs are easier to remove. Then, reboot your computer in safe mode (hold the Shift key when the Apple logo appears) so you can run only mission-critical programs while you resolve the issue. The first thing you should do is to disconnect your device from the internet to prevent malware from spreading and making it vulnerable to hackers. Minimize the threatĬontainment is the top priority when your Mac is hit with malware. If this ever happens, you must be able to remove the malware quickly before the infection gets worse.

Malicious programs that appear like harmless files or apps can infect your computer and cause it to slow down to a crawl. Macs may be heralded as more secure than their competitors, but they too can be hacked.

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