Does Mac get a virus? How to scan for MAC viruses

Remember those old things I’m a Mac, I’m a PC ad? For one, when the Mac appears to be worried, the PC continues sneezing from the caught virus, eventually crashing backwards into the ground. For a while, the Mac seemed almost immune to computer viruses. But when Apple’s market share grew, it became a new fan club: hackers.

Yes, Macos comes with Xprotect, GateKeeper and other tools, and most Mac owners do well with these dashes with these skepticism. Still, security companies continue to find it Fresh malware strainsand some of the old tricks (such as phishing and social engineering) are still working.

So, while Macs aren’t helpless, they’re not out of control either.

read more: The best virus protection for Macs in 2025

Can Mac get viruses?

Yes, Macs can get viruses and are always possible. They believe that most malware cannot come from an era targeted at Windows users. However, when Macs grew in popularity, they caught the attention of hackers.

Apple includes several built-in tools to help keep things safe. Xprotect checks for downloaded files of known malware. Malware removal tools try to clean up what’s slipping away. GateKeeper also stops opening unauthorized apps. These features run quietly in the background, and most Mac users don’t even notice them.

But they are not innocent. They rely on Apple’s list of known threats, but this doesn’t always update as quickly as the threat evolves, so new types of malware can still be sneaked in. If you’re interested, you can view Xprotect’s malware database by opening this folder on your Mac.

/library/apple/system/library/coreervices/xprotect.bundle/contents/resources/

That’s where Apple holds files like xprotect.plist and xprotect.yaralists known malware signatures. The GateKeeper database is gk.db. It’s not exactly a beginner-friendly reading, but if you want to stab, it’s all.

Is MAC virus different from window viruses?

Not as much as you think. Macs and Windows machines can collide with normal things like ransomware, spyware, phishing scams and more.

The main difference is how bad things fall into. On Macs, it is often a Trojan virus hidden by fake apps and fake software updates. Adware is another common thing. It will pop up or confuse your screen in your browser and disrupt your screen. Then there’s a supply chain attack, and hackers sneak the malware into legal apps before downloading them.

Most malware doesn’t care about the system you are running. Many of them are built to tackle anything, so using a Mac won’t protect you from it.

Signs that your Mac may have a virus

Macs usually run smoothly, so if something is cut off, it’s probably not a fluke. Be aware of some of these issues that may indicate that your Mac has a virus.

• Even if you have a few apps open, they run significantly slower than usual.
• The fans are constantly moving, and the Mac is running hotter than usual.
• Even if you are not viewing, you will start to see a pop-up.
• The browser’s homepage or search engine has been changed without doing anything.
• You are redirected to a random site.
• You will notice any apps or files you have not installed.
• Storage space will drop suddenly or the battery will drain much faster than before.
• Your Mac crashes or freezes more than usual.

Just because you’ve experienced one of these doesn’t necessarily mean your Mac is infected with a virus, but if the problem persists or some of it happens at once, it’s probably time to check for malware.

How to scan for Mac viruses

If the ones listed above sound familiar, or if something else is using a Mac, check for viruses. There are several ways to do this.

You can start with the Activity Monitor. This will show what’s running on your Mac. Here’s how:

1. Open the Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities.
2. Check out our list of processes for what looks weird or uses a lot of CPU or memory.
3. If something that you don’t recognize stands out, google the name. It could be harmless or malware.

Xprotect and malware removal tools are already running in the background, blocking known threats and cleaning up any suspicious things when the system restarts. You don’t see them at work, but they’re there.

That being said, if you need a full scan, I recommend you do it Third Party Antivirus Apps. There are lots of Mac-friendly stuff.

Do I need to get rid of Mac virus?

Yes, even if things are hardly going well.

Some viruses and malware can hang quietly in the background, recording what you’re doing and slowing things down. Others can steal personal information, ruin files, or make your Mac weird in ways that are hard to track.

If you ignore it, you are giving time to do more damage. You may lose your data or publish your password. Alternatively, you can get rid of your Mac and accidentally pass the problem to someone else.

Even if the symptoms are minor, it is not worth the risk. If you think your Mac has a virus, it’s best to deal with it as soon as possible.

The best way to get rid of MAC virus

If you think your Mac may be infected, here are some simple steps to keep things clean.

1. Delete unrecognized apps. Open the Applications folder and look for something you are unfamiliar with. If you see something you haven’t installed, drag it into the garbage and then empty the garbage.
2. Check what’s running in the startup. Go to System Settings > (General > (Login) Items. If you have any strange boots when your Mac starts up, please delete them.
3. Reset your browser. If your homepage has been changed on its own or you get a pop-up, reset your browser settings and remove the rough extension.
4. Run a virus scan. Use a Reliable antivirus apps Scan the system and remove any suspicious items.
5. Reinstall MacOS (if it’s really bad). As a last resort, backup the files and do a clean reinstall of MacOS. It wipes everything away and gives a fresh start.

Try the basics first. Most issues do not require a full reset to fix them.

Does MacBooks need virus protection?

Apple builds some solid security on MacOS. We’ve already mentioned Xprotect and GateKeeper. Safari can also help by warning about suspicious websites and stopping the tracker. Once you update your system, it will already be in a decent form.

However, Macs are extremely popular. In other words, hackers are paying attention. Malware can still enter through rough downloads, phishing emails, and bad browser extensions. Also, if you’re using a lot of Public Wi-Fi or have installed anything from outside the App Store, you should open the door a little wider.

So, do you need it? Third Party Antivirus? It may not be the case you are very careful, but a good anti-virus adds an extra layer of great protection to have.