Usually, what comes to mind when you hear of or see a Mac PC is an infallible system that's secure from malware or viruses. This reasoning is flawed. These PC systems are vulnerable and what's worse is that there are now more threats to the macOS than there were before. These threats, if unchecked and not fought against, will cause many security and privacy problems for the user.
One might say Mac PCs have fewer problems in terms of virus vulnerability when compared to Windows PCs, which is true. However, this doesn't make it malware-proof. To know how to protect your Mac effectively, you must know the signs of viruses on Mac and which ones commonly plague the system. Then, you can follow this instruction for removing malware from Mac. So, let's start with common viruses.
Common Mac Viruses
The following includes the best-known viruses or malware that affect the performance and security of a Mac PC:
OSX. Generic
Adware. NewTab
Adware. OperatorMac
Shyler Malware
Silver Sparrow. Silver Sparrow
OSX. VSearch
AkamaiHD.net virus
Signs of Malware on a Mac PC
The following includes both the standard and less common indications that your Mac PC is infected with the malware:
Your PC will start malfunctioning
You may see odd alerts or pop-ups displayed on your screen when you're browsing the net or even when your system screen has been left dormant for a while
Your homepage or web browser may look different
Your push notifications will be hyperactive
Discovery of tools or software that you didn't install
The system has become much slower, or the applications can take a considerably longer time to launch
Discovery of changes in your system preferences or browser settings that you didn't make
Noticing numerous ads on websites that didn't display ads before
A single, on its own, is not enough to conclude that your Mac PC is infected, but when you notice two or three of them, then it's a surefire sign that your system has malware. To confirm these indications, we recommend installing a high-quality antivirus and activating it to scan your system for spyware programs or viruses. Once this is confirmed, the next step is to remove the malware from your system.
How to Protect Mac from Malware?
To ensure your system doesn't get infected with malware, practice the following when using your PC:
Download Mac Antivirus
Though Apple produces secure systems, the system's in-built security system may not be enough to keep malware at bay. So, we recommend installing a good antivirus for your Mac PC to enhance its security. If you're unfamiliar with Mac antiviruses, the sheer number of potential options may overwhelm you. Fortunately, we have certain recommendations, such as Norton 360 Standard, McAfee, and Intego, among others.
Install a VPN
You'll sometimes want to connect your PC to public Wi-Fi, which is a common means for malware to infect your system. To prevent this, ensure you activate your VPN before you connect to public Wi-Fi. This will mask your IP address and prevent malware from accessing your network. PIA VPN and CyberGhost VPN are excellent examples.
Browse Safely
Many people don't take their browsing activities seriously, and they usually pay the price for it. A common safe browsing practice is avoiding clicking on links or emails when you're unsure of the sender and their credibility. Cyber predators are known to use attachments and emails to send malware to unsuspecting PC users. They can get your attention by using mouth-watering offers via emails, but there's always a giveaway - a sense of urgency in these texts.
Another safe practice to take seriously is inspecting the reputation of the websites you visit. By this, we mean avoiding visiting websites that lack SSL certification. Also, avoid websites that display pop-ups and ads frequently, to the point of being aggressive.
Pay Attention to XProtect Notifications
Unfortunately, many Mac PC users are guilty of ignoring notifications from this feature. XProtect is a popular in-built security feature in Mac PCs. It scans newly downloaded or installed files or applications for malware detection. If such a file contains malware, the software will not only detect it but also alert you and give detailed instructions on getting rid of it.
Update your System Regularly
Many users fail to upgrade their macOS when it's due, but the importance of constantly upgrading your system when there's a new update cannot be overemphasized. These updates have security features that make your system less vulnerable to malware. So pay attention to these update alerts; they always display on the right side of your screen.
Avoid Java and Flash Installers
These two pieces of software are well known for their vulnerability to the threat of malware. This makes them very unreliable. To make matters worse, cyber predators use flash and java to disperse spyware on PCs. You may see an ad prompting you to update Flash or Java; we advise you to refrain from doing that because that will potentially usher in malware on your PC.
Update your Web Browser
Apple's default browser is Safari which is automatically upgraded during every system update, but many PC users prefer to install and use Chrome. This isn't a problem, but you'll need to update these browsers manually. Always ensure that you update the browser once a new version is available. Another thing to pay attention to is your browser cache. You can download software to assist you with this function.
Conclusion
Protecting a Mac from malware is essential to keep one's information, data, and identity safe. Taking preventive measures such as updating the MacOS regularly and downloading only from verified sites can provide the necessary protection from malware. Installing antivirus software and checking internet connections through a firewall are additional security measures recommended to keep malicious intrusions at bay.
