Running a virus scan on your Mac for malware and viruses shouldn't require you to use your credit card. Unfortunately, Mac malware is deceptive and tends to disguise itself as virus removal tools whose sole purpose is to charge you for money in order to protect your computer from web threats. Try not to fall into these sneaky traps and never share your credit card information with anyone. Read this article to find out how to scan your Mac completely for free using safe and reliable applications that can detect and isolate viruses and malware.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using Malwarebytes
Step 1. Launch your computer's internet browser
Download the "Malwarebytes for Mac" program. It is free antimalware software recommended by security experts.
Step 2. Visit the website
The installation file will be downloaded automatically.
Step 3. Once the download is complete, double-click on the file whose name begins with "Malwarebytes-Mac"
The full file name should be similar to Malwarebytes-Mac-4.0.30.3073.dmg, as the sequence of numbers varies by program version.
Step 4. Drag the Malwarebytes program icon to the "Applications" folder
Step 5. Click on the "File" menu
Step 6. Click on the "Eject Anti-Malware for Mac" item
Step 7. Go to the "Applications" folder
Step 8. Double-click the "Malwarebytes Anti-Malware" icon
Step 9. Click the Open button
The application window should open. If a message appears on the screen indicating that the program cannot be run because it has not been downloaded from the Mac App Store, follow these instructions:
- Open the "System Preferences" window;
- Click on the "Security and Privacy" icon;
- Click the Open Anyway button.
Step 10. Enter the password of the computer administrator user
Step 11. Click the Install Helper button
This will install the program needed to eliminate all malware detected by the Malwarebytes app. At the end of the installation, the main window of the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program will be displayed.
Step 12. Click on the Scan item
The full Mac scan takes little time, so don't be surprised if the results appear on the screen in seconds.
Step 13. Review the scan results
- If no malware was found, a message will appear stating that no security threats have been found.
- If threats have been found, the corresponding list of potentially dangerous items will be displayed in a pop-up.
- Unless there are indications to the contrary, you should be able to eliminate all revealed threats directly with the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware program.
Step 14. Mark each item you want to delete with a check mark
Step 15. Click the Remove Selected Items button
At this point, your Mac is perfectly safe.
Method 2 of 2: Using ClamXav
Step 1. Launch your computer's internet browser
ClamXav is an antivirus program for Mac; It also comes in a fully functional demo version that you can use to scan your Mac for malware. It is a program that has been around for a long time and is recommended by security experts.
Step 2. Visit the website
Step 3. Click on the DOWNLOAD button under "Get Free Trial"
Step 4. When prompted, save the installation file
It will be saved on your Mac with a name similar to "ClamXav_2.10_xxx.zip".
Step 5. Double click on the "ClamXav_2.10_xxx.zip" file
Step 6. Double click the "ClamXav.app" icon
The ClamXav installation procedure will start.
Step 7. Accept the terms of the license agreement
Step 8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation
Step 9. Click the Update Now button
This will update the virus and malware definitions, and then a quick scan of your Mac will automatically start. Wait for the scan to complete, then read on to run a more in-depth scan.
Step 10. Click on the "All My Files" option
It is one of the items listed in the "Source List" section in the left panel of the window.
Step 11. Click on the "Start Scan" icon
A full scan of your Mac will be performed. When this is complete, a list of all threats that have been detected will be displayed on the screen. You can consult it in the "Infection List" section of the right pane of the window.
Step 12. Review the scan results
ClamXav codes the results with colorings based on the actions that need to be taken. For example, activate the "quarantine" (ie isolate the file indicated in a specific folder so that it cannot damage the system) or delete the file in question. Here is the legend of the various colors:
- Blue - if you do not recognize the indicated file it is better to quarantine it to prevent it from spreading;
- Orange - the indicated file should be quarantined;
- Red - the file in question should be deleted;
- Green - the indicated file has been automatically neutralized. In this case, no user action is required.
Step 13. Click on one of the threats in the scan results list to select it
Step 14. Click on the "Quarantine File" or "Delete File" option as suggested by the program
Advice
- Never download software and programs from websites that you do not know or that you consider unsafe.
- Apple computer experts have mixed opinions on whether or not Macs may actually be infected with a virus. If you've chosen to install an antivirus program anyway, be sure to choose one recommended by experts, such as Sophos or Norton.
